February 2010 : Volume 10 - Issue 5

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at HixNews.com

50^th Reunion - Class of 1960 - June 5^th, 2010

Hyatt Regency Hotel, Hauppauge. NY

Details to Follow!!!

If you have any questions or want to make a comment, please contact:

Maddy Frischman Leibowitz This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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We've had so many cute jokes sent to us the past several months. We've even put some into the text of "The Newsletter." We haven't gotten much response one way or another. We love humor because it breaks up our day. We all don't have banner days where we can play golf, bowl, or shop to our hearts content. We get the biggest kick out of those little tidbits our alumni provide. We try to eliminate the more "risqué" humor that is funny but might be "not so funny" to some alumni.

What do you all think about humor??? Can you relate to an incident that maybe your children or grandchildren were involved in that was humorous?! Submit it and share with all of us.

Thanks
The Editors (you know who we are)!!!

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*35th Reunion - Class of 1975 - July 24, 2010 7 PM - ?

Sheraton Long Island Hotel, Hauppauge, NY, $75 per person.
Send your payment (checks payable to HHSReunion75) to POB #154, Kings Park, NY 11754
For more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our web site at hhsreunion75.org

The Newsletter

Florida Teacher to Share Expertise in Colombia

Washington, DC - November 9, 2009

Myrna Greenberg is one of 40 exceptional teachers from around the United States who has been selected by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State and IREX (International Research and Exchanges Board) to participate in a two-way exchange program that provides professional development opportunities to secondary school teachers from around the world.

Greenberg teaches English and journalism at Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida and will be traveling to Colombia for two weeks in April, 2010.

"I am especially excited to be able to visit the country of Columbia which has such a beautiful and varied culture and be able to bring these experiences back to my school, Plantation High, and to my students who come from many areas of Central and South America," stated Greenberg. "To be able to represent the United States and assist in the literacy development of a neighboring country is indeed a great honor which I do not take lightly."

Myrna Greenberg (center) of Plantation High School will travel to Colombia for two weeks in April 2010 as part of the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program. Also pictured are Principal Susan Bruining (left) and English Department Head Darlene Musso (right).During her two-week trip, Greenberg and her international counterpart will discuss best teaching practices and related educational issues in Colombia with the host school teachers and with the wider community of educators. Other U.S. teachers will visit 18 countries in the Caucasus, South and Central Asia, Southeast Asia, South and Central America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Participants in the exchange will also visit local schools, parents' committees and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), serve as guest speakers on U.S. education and culture, team-teach at their host schools, and conduct workshops for the teaching community on teaching methods and curriculum design.

Prior to the U.S. teachers' visit, their international counterparts will have traveled to the United States to take part in a six-week professional development program at four U.S. universities. Their program will have helped them to develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills, and increase their knowledge about the United States.

The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is implemented by IREX. Secondary teachers interested in applying for a TEA grant can visit https://www.irex.org/programs/tea/tea_us.asp for more information and to apply. The application deadline is December 1, 2009 for travel in spring or summer of 2011.

About IREX:

IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of $60 million and a staff of over 500 professionals worldwide. IREX and its partner IREX Europe deliver cross-cutting programs and consulting expertise in more than 100 countries.

For more information about IREX, please visit www.irex.org.

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Dear All,

We had Eric's Memorial in Riverside, CA yesterday. Over 800 people attended with 500 firefighters and 41 fire trucks. The processional went for miles and the police closed off many streets.

The church was packed and the fire fighters had bagpipers and color and honor guard there and they really made Eric's memorial overwhelming. I cried the whole day, as did everyone. His son Hunter made the front page of the newspapers with him in his dad's helmet holding the tri corner folded American Flag. They took Hallie and Hunter and Eric's ashes on a fire truck to the Memorial.

There were so many people. Eric was well loved by many people.

Dianna and I held up pretty well but we did cry the entire day. No one could not cry. It was beautiful and sad at the same time.

Go to http://ericbotkin.blogspot.com/ to see pictures of the processional of the fire engines and the many people that attended and photos of Eric and Hallie and Hunter.

It was at a Catholic church but we had our Lutheran Pastor do the sermon as Eric was Lutheran.

The fire department VIPS's stood by us all day making sure we had anything we needed. They held us up when we could not stand anymore. When they played taps at the end in the church, it was all you could do not to sob. The notes filled the air with a sharpness that pierced your very soul.

We miss Eric but know he is at peace. It was a beautiful send off. They called Eric to Duty over the loud speaker on the truck in the beginning and then dismissed him from his tour of duty at the end with the ringing of the firehouse bell they brought. They said he was now off duty and retired and may now go home. The flag folding ceremony was awesome and beautiful. They placed a St Steven Medallion in the folded creases of the flag and we were told it was a tradition of fire fighters everywhere that it was his passport to heaven. We know Eric was already there by his belief in Jesus and through Him is the only way to heaven.

Hallie looked stunning and stunned. She even was able to speak about Eric to everyone and even made us laugh at one point. April also spoke and her words were so touching and so loving. We were so proud of her. Laura, Jennifer, Melissa and Allison cried the whole time along with their spouses. It really hit them hard. They loved Eric and respected him as he was the older brother. Jason had to leave the catered event after the memorial due to the fact he could not take it any more. I felt so bad for him and so proud of his love for his brother. Melissa brought her three kids and they were in awe of the many firefighters and fire trucks. A front-page story and pics were in all the newspapers and it really touched us.

Dianna and I held strong onto each other for support to get us through. So many friend came, people I have not seen in years that have followed Eric's blog online all the past year or so.

and everybody were perfect in step and tone and each firefighter walked as one and their salutes were awesome and very in sync with one another. You have to see his blog and write something or go and Google Eric to see the many stories that have been written about him.

He died a hero in the line of duty as he contracted the cancer from inhaling fumes from a deadly plastics fire hat is well known to cause cancer in fires. He was the 6th firefighter in all of Riversides history to die in the line of duty. This honor is only given to those men and women who lose their lives due to their work. Eric would have thought and said he was only just a regular guy but he was much more to not only us, his family but to the many hundreds of others that attended. Everyone, including all the captains and chiefs, mayor and fellow firefighters all agreed he was the best of his lot and that he worked very hard and was always making them laugh. They all commented on his wide toothy grin he had. Hallie had a pencil portrait of Eric about 2x3 feet done and it looked like a photograph. It was from a photo of Eric when he was not smiling. The artist was able to give him his special smile. It was beautiful and will hang in their home in Temecula. His urn was burnished gold and about 15 inched high sort of like a tower shape. They carried it in like it was a precious piece of valuable art or antique. His medals that were given to him by the fire department and chiefs were displayed along side the urn and flag and his helmet that was later presented to Hunter, age 10 who wore it proudly the whole day. It was a long day starting at 7:30 and we got home by 5:30 to Hallie's home. They had a huge black limo bus for the entire family so we all rode together. Afterwards they catered a fellowship to watch a slide show of Eric from a child to present. Even Hunter wrote an 'anonymous' letter that was read from the lectern in the church. It was all about his dad and how he loved him and played with him. Everyone smiled, as they knew it was from Hunter. He wrote the letter himself and it was read by someone in the family.

Please go to his blog and Google him for such breathtaking photos of the memorial and what people wrote in. Eric's fire truck had writings all over it from all his fellow firefighters and even Hunter. No one could read them without tears streaming down their faces. They had over 60 different flower arrangements from small to huge in the church and the color guard and honor guard presented Eric's widow with his medals, one a purple heart and one for his hard work in firefighting. Their synchronized steps and movements were chilling at times. People sang several songs and a violin played along with the piano.

There was so much to take in and I cannot give it the words it needs to describe this tribute to our Eric.

Thank you all for your emails calls and cards. They are greatly appreciated and your writing something in his blog would be nice if you can. They will make it into a book. The working title is The Unknown Journey, where Eric wrote daily for the past two years from the receiving of his cancer diagnosis to two days before he took his final breath.

Dianna was there with Eric at the end holding his hand and he just stopped breathing and went to sleep peacefully. The firefighters dressed him in his uniform and carried him out on a stretcher with the flag over him NOT covering his head, No body bag was used. Firefighters were stationed as a vigil the last week and they never left Eric's side to the mortuary and the cremation and were never more than two feet from him until they presented the urn with his ashes to Hallie at the Memorial. The firefighters are a brotherhood and they will take care of Hallie and Hunter, as Eric would, the rest of their lives. Eric's captains wept openly when speaking of Eric as they will miss him as much as we do.

Thanks again for your prayers.

Yours in Christ,
Jeffrey and Dianna White

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Hicksville High School Alumni

Below is a link to a Hicksville High School alumni website for former students who attended Hicksville High School in Hicksville, NY. This site was created to allow HHS alumni to get in touch with long lost friends and to relive their high school experiences.

http://hicksvillehighschool.net

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I am looking for the sister of Gene Zonis class of 1963. Her name is Jane. Do you have any contact info for Gene or Jane Zonis?

Thank you,
Jackie Lloyd Larsen

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Dear Gene Zonis,

We are forwarding an email request from Jackie Lloyd Larsen (see below) for contact information about you and your sister Jane.

Best,
Henry (for the editors)

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Dear Jackie Lloyd Larsen,

We have forwarded your request to Gene Zonis.

Best,
Henry (for the editors)

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I see that Bob Jones '72 is looking for Vicki (Berk) Maas. Tell Bob that Vicki and her older brother Ken Berk '70 are both on Facebook and he should search for either of them to get in touch with Vicki Berk.

Tim Donovan

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Hi Tim,

Thanks for the tip, but it's really Vicki who is looking for Bob, not the other way around.

Best,
Henry

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Trying to find Margaret "Bonnie" Flynn from the Class of 1963. She married my distant cousin, Richard Goedtel, but we lost touch around 1965. Any help in finding them would be appreciated! Thanks so much for the great job you guys do I am so happy when I get your email saying the latest edition of the Newsletter is available.

You keep the good old days alive!

Carol Mack Berry '63

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Dear Carol,

Your search has been added to our "People Looking for People" list.

Best, Henry

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Tom and KeiraIf your column is correct, you have a Don Meyers (1965) looking for Anthony (Tony) Diflippo (1964). In Classmates, there is in 1964 an "Anthony (Tony) Difilippo". If this is a spelling error, this could be the one he is looking for. It is worth a try anyway.

Tom Steedman '60

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Hi Don,

We are forwarding (see below) information about Anthony (Tony) Difilippo. If this is the friend you are looking for (note spelling of Difilippo, NOT Diflippo as you had spelled it), please let us know, so we can correct the spelling in our list. And please let us know if you have reconnected with Tony, so we can remove that search from the list.

Best, Henry

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Hi Tom,

We have forwarded your tip to Don (without including your email address). I also thought that Don had misspelled Tony's last name, but that was how he submitted his request.

Thanx for the tip.
Best, Henry

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Dear Bob and The Gang at HixNews,

Thanks so much for remembering our wedding anniversary. You are indeed our first card and on New Year's Day, no less! This marks #42 for us and we are thankful for our health and the love of our family and friends.

All the best,
Joe & Sharon Carfora '62

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Bob and Henry,

I have sent the data to Jack Bayer regarding the '59 classmates he was looking for on the People Looking For People Page...Mike Donovan, Irwin Cohen and Robert Healy. Sorry to report that Bob Healy is deceased.

You guys are doing a fantastic job.
Carl Probst '59

Editor Note: Thanx, Carl. I have deleted Jack's entries from the "People Looking for People" list.

Best, Henry

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Please put me on the mailing list to receive the Newsletter.

Bob Wiltse '57

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Thank you for the birthday greeting! What a pretty card and a nice surprise.

Ann Gambaro

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Last night, I read this incredibly sad item on your site.

Hello,

I am the daughter of Hope Lambert. Hope passed away in December 1996. She grew up in Hicksville, NY and always told me how she went to high school with Billy Joel! I am looking to contact people from her graduating class, I think 1968. Unfortunately, she was sick my whole life. I would love to contact some people who knew her in her healthy, happy youth! Truly, the only thing I know is that she was beautiful and lived in Hicksville. Please help me connect with people who knew her!

Thank you.
Lauren Gonzalez (Block)

Can you tell me when this item was posted? If possible, would you please give my email address to this young woman?

Much appreciated.
Jay Taub

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Dear Lauren,

I am forwarding an email request we received from Jay Taub. He presumably knows something about your mother (though he didn't say so in so many words). If you wish to contact him, that is your choice to make. We did NOT give him your email address, to protect your privacy.

Best,
Henry (for the editors)

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Jay,

I have forwarded your email to Lauren. Whether or not she responds to you is up to her. I forwarded your entire email, including the header that contains your correct email address.

Best, Henry

This is a follow up to my original note:

Lauren Gonzalez (Block) wrote in asking to connect with anyone who knew her mother. Her mom, Hope Lambert, passed away 14 years ago. I went to Fork Lane elementary school with Hope (as did Billy Joel) and eventually graduated from high school in 1969. Hope was in my class and though we weren't best friends, I can tell you she was extremely beautiful. Equally significant...she was extremely smart. The last time I saw hope was 1970. She was working at the Hicksville public library. I remember she had a sister and, for some reason, I believe her mom also worked at the library. I was very sorry to hear of her passing. I wish Lauren the best of luck connecting with others and filling in the blanks.

Jay Taub

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I learned about the newsletter from my niece, Lauren Block Gonzalez. She originally contacted you for information about her mother, my sister, Hope Lambert. Hope passed away when Lauren was very young.

Lauren wanted to know more about her mother - more than what I and other family members could provide. Lauren received some wonderful emails about Hope.

I just want to thank you all so much for providing a way for Lauren to expand her memory of her mom. Hope, and my brother, Peter Lambert, class of 1962, died very young. Unfortunately, many of Lauren's memories were of Hope as she was when she was sick. Now she knows the beautiful, vibrant, girl that Hope was. I was the middle, more quiet, sibling. class of 1966.

I have become an avid reader of the newsletter. I seek news not only of my former classmates but also classmates who remember Hope and Peter. Some of it makes me sad, but, mostly, it helps me recall the past more vividly than I can do on my own.

Thank you.
Elynn Lambert

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Since you are now listing all memorials, I would appreciate it if you would add my loving sister; Miriam (Weiss) Law '49 She died August 1, 1995.

Harvey Weiss '47

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Dear Editors,

My Dad, Gerald Cohen, lived in Hicksville from his birth, in 1933, until he was about 9 years old.

He passed away in August of 2009. He enjoyed his occasional visits to Hicksville, and his walks around the "old stomping grounds."

Eric Cohen

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Dear Editors,

Please add my name to the mailing list. I am a graduate from the class of 1967.

Thank you.
Frank Beltrani

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For the last 15 years, I've tried to find a couple of friends who moved away when we were in junior high school. They would have graduated in 1969.

Their names are: Patricia Bressler, Carol McKelvey, and Cheryl McKelvey. Has anyone maintained contact with these former students???

Thanks for all your help.
Jay Taub

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Jay,

If your friends moved away when you were in junior high school, they wouldn't have graduated from HHS (unless they moved back to Hicksville ). Our Newsletter readers are alumni and friends of HHS, so they are not likely to be a good source for finding people who moved away before they graduated high school.

On the other hand, I just Googled "Cheryl mcelvy" and found that there are 15 people with the name "Cheryl McKelvey" in the United States.

Hope this helps.
Best, Henry

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Hi,

You all do a great job on the Hix News. Wondering if there is any news about the 1960 Class Reunion.

Fran (Reganato) Ranieri '60

Editor Note: information was sent to Fran

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Hi Fran,

As a matter of fact, I have established another Google group named "HixClass60" exactly for this purpose. And I have subscribed you to the group. There are now 26 members, and I am in the process of adding more members from the Class of 1960.

You can communicate with all of the members of this group by sending an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The home page for this group is: http://groups.google.com/group/hixclass60

Best, Henry

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Hello HHS Class of 1960,

The Reunion Committee will be sending periodic updates about our reunion including information we may need from you via the hixclass60 site at http://groups.google.com/group/hixclass60.

As you saw in a recent posting, we have set the date, location and decided on the company who will work with us on this effort - Reunions Unlimited. You might be contacted by one of their representatives to ask for or give you information and/or a fellow classmate might contact you.

At this point we are determining what needs to be done and assigning responsibility for the activities. One way you can be of help is to email Kathy McDonald Corey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the names, phone numbers and email addresses of any of our classmates you have been in touch with or have information on.

We will then contact them and invite them to join our hixclass60 group. Our goal is to make contact with 100% of our alumni and increase the number of attendees. For any general questions or ideas, please post it directly to http://groups.google.com/group/hixclass60. We welcome input from all of our members and will do our best to be responsive.

A few people had encountered some difficulties getting signed up on our hixclass60 site and/or accessing the names of other members. If you run into problems, email Kathy and she will work with our technical advisor to resolve the problems.

As soon as we have a full complement of people on our Reunion Committee, I will send all who are signed up on our site the list and contact information for them.

Thanks and we look forward to working together on making this event a huge success.

Maddy Frischman Leibowitz
Ph: 631-419-1036 Fax: 631-419-1037
Atlantic Agency Inc.

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Hi, Henry:

I wanted to find out if a friend was on the master list. I am not on the Google group that gets each other's mail. Can I still access the master list?

I saw a friend at a luncheon today and I told her to look at the HHS Newsletter for January because I put her husband's birthday on the list. When she told me that she didn't get any notice that the newsletter was ready this month yet, I got to wondering if they ever signed up way back when. I thought they did a long time ago, but now I'm wondering. I explained that the newsletter is always online, etc., etc.

At any rate, the man's name is Paul Divan. He graduated in 1945.

Is he on our Master List? Thanks. I appreciate your help.

Jean LaPointe

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Dear Editors,

I was saddened to hear of Gail Grupp Stemper's passing. Gail was the Captain of the Varsity Cheering Squad of which I had been a part two years previously. I saw her briefly at the Class of '56's 50th Anniversary in 2006 but, sadly, did not get a chance to speak with her in-depth. Was an Obit sent to the editors? If so, I'd like to see it. Please send my sincerest sympathy to her family.

Harri Molese, 1956

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To all our friends,

My kidney transplant is about to happen. Wednesday 1/6/10 will be the day of our surgery. Margi will be in the hospital one to two days, and I will be in 4 to 5 days. She will be allowed visitors, but I will be in quarantine. This will mean no visitors at all, no flowers etc. Following all that at home I will be in quarantine for three months. That will also be filled with restrictions until the kidney has a chance to adapt. Please think of us on this day, and it will be a special prayer that all turns out well.

Thanks
Tom and Margi Steedman

Editor Note: all of us at the newsletter and all the alumni readers are in "your corner."

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To all our friends and family,

Surgery is done and complete. My wife and I are both home recovering. She should be up and around much faster than I will be. I have to be in a semi Isolation for about three months with many follow up visits to the Transplant Clinic. There they will be monitoring my new kidney and my blood work for adjustments to medications etc. I am feeling much better than when I was on dialysis. In the beginning it was somewhat of a harrowing experience, with the anticipation of it all happening. The actual going through it was much easier than I thought. The 5 day stay in the hospital went exactly as they said it would as far as the healing and the working of the new kidney. They actually told me that the new kidney started working before they could actually complete the hook up.

For anyone that has this condition I recommend highly that they go for a transplant as soon as one comes available. Provided of course that they determine that you are in fact a good candidate for one. Thanks to all of you for your kind prayers.

I am convinced that it helped a lot.

Tom Steedman

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Charlie and KatieHi Bob,

Oh what great pictures! I used to work at Bahrenburg's Bakery, only it was Englert's then, and the 5&10 where my cousin used to work, and of course the Sweet Shop, my second home, where we all lived and celebrated. Remember John? Oh, what did they do to my town?
I was so happy to see those photos. The last two months have been so sad, reading about all our friends who have passed away, most from my class, the class 1962. I remember Jimmy Clarke when he had a band and played at my birthday party; and the picture of Ed Kramer brought me right back to the classroom where he would help me with my algebra homework. Please extend my sympathy to his family.

I've attached a current photo of my husband, Charlie, a Syosset High School graduate and me. The last time I wrote you published my high school yearbook photo. I thought I burned all the copies!

Keep up the good work.

Katie Kennedy Weidig '62

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Dear HixNews

Hi...my name is Maureen Carey. I am a graduate, class of 1965. Please add my name to the list of subscribers.

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...and I am John Ostroski.

I am a 1966 graduate and I'm married to Maureen Carey.

Please add my name to the list.

John Ostroski

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Hi John,

We have enrolled your name and email address in HixNews2, along with Maureen Carey's name under your email address, which she used to request her own enrollment. I presume she is your wife and you guys share your email address.

If Maureen wants her own email announcements from us, she will have to give us her own email address.

Best, Henry

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Dear HixNews

Please add, Paul Bellacera, class of 1976 to the In Memoriam list. He passed after a 5-year fight with cancer on July 7, 2008.

Thank you
Tony Bellacera

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Dear HixNews

Thanks very much for the birthday greetings.

John Cole '61

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Hello Staff,

Please add my cousin Joe Rybak (Class of '72) who suddenly passed away in 1999 at the young age of 45. Joe grew up in a farming family in Hicksville. Anyone who lived in the Levittown Parkway area of Hicksville knew of the "Happy Farm Stand" which sold their locally grown produce for decades.

Thank You for the GREAT job you all do every month.

Felicia Rybak Adorno '72

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Dear Lorraine (Kirwin) and Bob Cheeseman...

Tried to send you an E-Card but couldn't. The editors at HixNews want to wish you a Very Happy Anniversary

And always remember... The bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds - they mature slowly.

Warmest Regards,
The Gang at the Hicksville Newsletter

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Dear Bob and Editors,

Thank you for the Anniversary message. Bob and I will be married 43 years on January 14th. Like many of our 1964 classmates, Bob's situation with military service during the Vietnam War moved up our plans. We decided to marry before Bob shipped out for his Air Force enlistment. Little did I know we would spend almost thirty years of Air Force service.
Bob was very fortunate to have the Air Force provide him with his undergraduate and graduate degrees and a commission.

We are now happily retired in New Braunfels, Texas, close to our two daughters and their families and enjoying the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Thanks for remembering our Anniversary. Your website has led me to several of my classmates and we now stay in touch on Facebook!

Thank you so much.
Lorraine Kirwan Cheeseman '64

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In Memoriam

COONEY - James J., on Jan 7, 2010 at the age of 63. Cherished son of Irene and the late Edward Cooney. Treasured father of Keri, Christine and Jillian. Loving brother of Donald Cooney, Patricia Tims, Virginia Schroder. Beloved friend of Diane. Friends and family may pay their respects Tuesday 2-5 and 7-9 at Wagner Funeral Home, Hicksville. Funeral Mass- Wed 10am at Holy Family RC Church. Internment to follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

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Don't let this happen to you!!!

SENIOR MOMENT:

I was in the restaurant yesterday when I suddenly realized I desperately needed to pass gas. The music was really, really loud, so I timed my gas with the beat of the music. After a couple of songs and good toots, I started to feel 100% better. I finished my coffee, and noticed that everybody was staring at me. Then I suddenly remembered that I was listening to my iPod.

thanks to Bob Wesley for that "little bit of humor."

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Hey Bob

Stanley Tomasovic was in the class of 1965. We both worked at J.J.Newberry part time after school. Lost touch when we both went into the Army. Learned of his death when I returned stateside in 1969.

Eddie Rorrison '65

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Dear HixNews staff,

I realize this is a little late but very pretty. Thank you for the anniversary card (06/24/09) and the birthday card (7/13/09). Had a few issues going on in my life but its never too late for thanking someone. Thank you again for remembering me.

Maureen Kilkenny Rizzo

 

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To All My Alumni Friends,

I am working on a special project and need help. Not actual work on the project. I'm loving what I'm doing. I just need help with the logistics aspect of the project.

I am trying to put together a special power point presentation that honors all those who were in the military from the First World War through our military involvement during the Vietnam era.

Most important is Vietnam deaths...pictures of those heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I'm not restricting the importance of getting photos. Vietnam right now is paramount. I'm looking for photos of anyone who served. I have received a lot of photos and the project is underway.

Those listed below died in Vietnam. There may have been others but these are all we know at the moment. Can anyone provide me pictures of those listed and the year of graduation? The name is followed by the year the alumni graduated. Followed by their date of birth and the date when they died. Pictures are so important because this is a power point presentation.

I thank everyone for his or her cooperation in this endeavor. I think the end result will be amazing.

Love to you all,
Buffalo Bob Casale

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Alan Giannelli graduated in 1964.

I have to check the yearbook and see if there is a photo.

Toni (Grundon) Martin

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Toni,

I have a picture of Alan because Ted Swedalla loaned me his yearbook. Ted was passing through Augusta, Georgia on his way to daughter, Kim, in Pensacola. It was good to see him since we were business partners for 31 years. Thanks!

Love yah
bob

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Ted SwedallaEvening Bob,

That is good! I know Ted...went to the Jr. Prom with him. Do you share his love of dogs?

I thought you lived up here in NY. Thanks for the note, I appreciated it.

Toni

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...I do love dogs. I have two and a cat. And all were rescued from euthanization. I moved to Augusta last February. I'm taking care of my Ex, Joyce, who has Alzheimer's.

Love yah
bob

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A Hero Passes

Dear Bob,

My brother, John Andrew Thorburn died today...a result of Agent Orange to his lungs. He was highly a decorated Vietnam Veteran. How would you classify his death? War veteran...lung cancer...please tell me. How I can make sense of this! Should he go on the Washington Wall?

(Yes, I think he should be included on The Wall. It's your responsibility to contact the person responsible for getting your brother's name included).

How about your list?

(He is included on the Vietnam list and he's listed as a 1965 graduate...even though he graduated via a GED equivalent.)

He gave his life & 2 children, for our country...my husband is saying I should stop writing, so I will.

Joyce Thorburn Jurgensen '67

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Joyce

I'm so sorry to hear about your brother passing. So many veterans were affected by Agent Orange and many suffered throughout the years. I lost a friend, Mike Goldsmith, in 1979 because of that terrible chemical. There's no way to make sense regarding any of the deaths. The sad thing is that when it was being used, there were concerns about its side effects.

It worked great and accomplished exactly what it was intended to do.

The earliest form of the compound triiodobenzoic acid was studied by Arthur Galston as a plant growth hormone. The research was motivated by the desire to adapt soybeans for short growing seasons. Arthur Galston is widely known for the social impact his work had on science. This defoliant was modeled after Galston's discovery of triiodobenzoic acid in 1943. Galston was especially concerned about the compound's side effects to humans and the environment. He even discouraged our government from using it in Vietnam

However, it was most the most effective product available at the time, and they used it. For ten years they used it.

It's caused almost 500,000 deaths and there's no telling how many birth defects there are attributable to the destructive product.

Can you provide some pictures of John that are service related. And please send me a listing of his decorations. I will send a note to those compiling a list of Vietnam era vets. I guess his death would be classified as service related.

My deepest sympathy to you and all your family.

Love Yah
Bob

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Please, everyone, log onto Honoring our Veterans to get an up to date picture of John Thorburn.

Thank you so much Bob. The funeral yesterday was very sad, but all were very proud of John Andrew. He had over 200 combat hours.

One thing that was not listed was the fact he was a part of the Green Hornet's Air Force division. There were motorcycles, police cars...etc. Veterans stood outside in the cold during the viewing hours & lined up for the funeral service. Both the Army & Air Force tried to claim him, so there was contingencies of both there. They shared the flag folding & the service.

Usually as you get older the less people are at your funeral, but there were so many people there that he had touched their lives in one way or another. I must say though, the brother that went to Vietnam was not the same brother that came home.

Thanks,
Joyce

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Sign in an Indiana storefront window:

"WE WOULD RATHER DO BUSINESS WITH 1000 AL QAEDA TERRORISTS THAN WITH ONE SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER!"

This sign was prominently displayed in the window of a business in Whiting, Indiana. You are probably outraged at the thought of such an inflammatory statement. However, we are a society that holds freedom of Speech as perhaps our greatest liberty. And after all it's just a sign. You may ask what kind of business would dare post such a sign.

"Owen's Funeral Home"

You gotta love it!!! God Bless America

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Thank you, Bob, for that thoughtful b'day card. I am only now cleaning up my mailbox & trying to figure out if I dare to go on Facebook. Not that good at the computer & am borrowing my daughter's laptop right now.

Good to hear all the Hicksville news.

Regards,
Mary (Scharr) Jurgensen '67

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This is Mr. Naso, HHS teacher and junior high vice principal from 1949 till 1967. He will be 90 years old this May and doing GREAT except for weak heart. Mind is just Great and I spent over 1 hour with him and had a good conversation with him. I look forward to seeing him again soon.

Stephen Moddle '53

Editor Note: see the photos in the photo gallery

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Here's a couple of memories of HHS as I sit here at my PC, New Years Eve 2009:Anyone remember in the early 70s, maybe 1971? A group of CW Post broke up our daily drag race watching on Division Ave by marching in front and then thru our hallways. I remember the principal getting on the PA and thanking us students for not taking part. LIKE WE CARED.

Although the media likes to rewrite the 60s, that everyone were flower children and hippies, the truth is I'd say maybe one kid in 40 was like that in Hicksville. Most of us were either jocks, into beer drinking, or ignorant of any social reform going on.Speaking of the Media, does anyone remember Mr Vetrano's Mass Media class, or Mr Cohen's Ecology class? Were they ahead of their time? Mr V's ideas on the Media ring even truer today and how they manipulate us. Thank you for enlightening us on this. Look at the global warming scam in England that's covered up thanks to Al Gore's network buddies. (PS, I used my Ecology term paper on Noise Pollution twice more in college.) Thanks, Mr Cohen wherever you are!

Someone mentioned Clinton Brown's wife Cheryl for the HOF. I also have heard of her fine work. Although Clinton and I were not friends, (he hung out with shall I say, a little more rebellious group), we did travel on the same school bus. One of the best quotes came from him in the back bus through the cigarette smoke, "You could get lung cancer sitting on this bus". Did he start the second hand smoke studies later on? HaHa

Finally, I'd like to thank Richie Moeller wherever you are. At 1970 JV basketball practice, you announced to everyone that I would be known as "The Big E", after Elvin Hayes who was having great battles against Lew Alcindor in college then. That name stuck with me my entire life, and really changed my personality, not to mention the expectations of team members in college, thru adulthood, and amongst amateur coaching with my kids thru their own college years.

Regards
John "E" Ebbecke '72

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This is a picture of one of the worst players ever to stumble through the Hicksville Little League. With slow feet and a matching bat, George Reilly (Chaminade '60) might never have gotten on base were it not for his inability to get out of the way of a stray pitch.

Dan Mastronardi (HHS '60), on the right, was a good player and has been a better brother -in-law. Joan (HHS '65) and I were married in Our Lady of Mercy in 1969.

The picture was taken on Cornell Lane in 1955. The house in the background was the Monahans.

George Reilly

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Hello Buffalo Bob,

Paul D. Walkowski was my cousin. I was 8 or so when he passed but I do remember him. In clearing out my parent's house last year, I found an article or two on his passing & I think I may have a photo. I can't get it right now because I just broke my foot and unable to get it at this time. I might be able to contact my cousin who was his sister she probably would not mind to send a picture. If I'm not mistaken, I don't think he graduated from HHS. I think he lived in Alaska at the time, with his mother. Let me know when you need this by and I will see what I can do for you.

Mary Ann Westervelt '76
Maple Valley WA

Good luck in your project

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To add to your body of body knowledge

Dr. Virend Somers, a cardiologist from the Mayo Clinic who is lead author of the report in the July 29, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Most heart attacks occur in the day, generally between 6 A.M. and noon, Somers said. Having one during the night, when the heart should be most at rest, means that something unusual happened, he said. Somers and his colleagues have been working for a decade to show that sleep apnea is to blame.

About Heart Attacks

There are other symptoms of a heart attack besides the pain on the left arm. One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating. However, these symptoms may also occur less frequently. Note: There may be no pain in the chest during a heart attack. The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.

It is important to always have ASPIRIN in the home!!!

1. If you take an aspirin or a baby aspirin once a day, take it at night. The reason: aspirin has a 24-hour "half-life". Therefore, if most heart attacks happen in the wee hours of the morning, the aspirin would be strongest in your system.
2. Aspirin lasts a really long time in your medicine chest, years. (when it gets old, it smells like vinegar.)

Why have Aspirin by your bedside?

If you are having a heart attack or even think that you're having a heart attack, IMMEDIATELY DISSOLVE TWO ASPIRIN IN YOUR MOUTH and swallow them with a bit of water. After taking the aspirin, phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by and state "HEART ATTACK!!!" and advise that you have taken 2 ASPIRIN. Take a seat on a chair or sofa and wait for their arrival and DO NOT LIE DOWN!!!

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BASEBALL WONDERLAND

For some reason my Bookmark for the HixNews took me to an August 2009 page.

There I read Fran De Cabia's touching story about Mickey Anglim (who I didn't know) and Fran's meeting all the Dodgers. What an experience! And then Bob Casale's story about his friend Jim Katcavage of The Giants and his chance at meeting all the players in the locker room. Terrific.

I remember when baseball was the 'world' to me. I was a Yankee fan but the fathers who took us kids to games always went to Ebbets Field. It was a grand place, but nowhere near as grand as Yankee Stadium. I have had a few touches, like Fran and Bob, with baseball greatness and they are moments I will remember the rest of my life. My first was in 1978 when an art director (AD) called and asked if I was available to do a photo shoot of Reggie Jackson for a Getty Gasoline ad at Yankee Stadium? (Holy Crap!))

The AD picked me up the very next day. He had hired a limo to take us to the Bronx; I didn't expect that. It was very classy and added to the excitement I was feeling. It was a gorgeous day and Reggie had been out for I believe 9 days with a hurt leg. The AD for the ad agency had instructed me to take shots of Reggie all over the place. I doubted that would happen, knowing time was critical. I chose my all-time favorite spot, the "On-Deck Circle". I set up my lights there and waited as Reggie was taking batting practice. Standing shoulder to shoulder with all the other Yankees was unbelievable. I imagined myself in uniform, too, which was easy, and I was a Yankee.

After Reggie took his swings, he headed for the dugout after flinging his bat across the turf and cursing loudly. He was still recovering and his attempt at batting practice aggravated the injury. His leg was not better and he let everyone know it. He disappeared into the dugout and headed straight for the locker room. Five minutes or more passed. Reggie's personal assistant came out and asked, 'Would we mind if Reggie took another round of BP (Batting Practice)?' Hell no, we didn't mind. It meant we actually got to watch Reggie hit again, as well as most of the other players. After his second attempt, he was even madder than after the first session. Again he started for the dugout, fuming.

This time, though, I knew he'd be gone for good. The Yankees were leaving town the next day and my chance at photographing Reggie was going away fast. Without thinking I ran over blocking his way. Standing face to face with him I calmly said, "We're all ready for you, Reggie!

This will take only a few minutes and you'll be done with it." We were maybe 6 inches apart. Reggie looked me straight in the face and, spit flying, said, "Hey man, I feel like shit!' I said, "We appreciate that Reggie and this will be really easy, and so on..." trying my best to hold onto him until he cooled down. He seemed to understand and said "All right. Where do I have to go?"

I brought him over to the on deck circle and asked him to kneel on one knee and cradle two bats. We had two bats available but he looked at them like they had bugs crawling all over them. He instructed his assistant to get two of his black bats while my assistant (a woman) wiped his sweaty face. He liked that.

When I told him the pose I wanted he slowly, and with great difficulty, lowered himself into position. I felt terrible for his pain. Finally, with everything in place, I began to shoot. Only Reggie looked awful ' glaring into my lens. I asked him if he could look more pleased, perhaps a smile? He said, "Hey, you take care of the pictures, I'll take care of the looks."

I just shrugged an acceptance. But then he started to turn on his world-class charm. I took about 20 shots real fast and then told him we were done.

The AD was a little shocked since he had thought we could use Reggie like a model. I told him we were lucky to get anything at all. I was packing my cameras in the dugout when Reggie came out and handed me an official Yankee cap (After the shoot I had given him a picture I had taken previously of someone he turned out to dislike intensely and he made that abundantly clear. He asked me to forget he had said anything. I guess the cap was an amnesia incentive. It worked.).

Here's ReggieI still have that cap. It's a treasure. As is the picture of Reggie. I wanted to create a classic baseball card picture and felt I had succeeded. Reggie went on to have a great World Series that year. The Yankees won, of course. I think it was the year he was dubbed, "Mr. October".

My other story and picture is about Gary Carter of The Mets in 1986. I'll show and tell that story another time.

Denny Tillman

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As an afterthought about my baseball experiences, brought on by Fran De Cabia's August '09 letter,

I remembered that I was a catcher for a while, too. That is until my father made me stop. He was concerned about my ability to have children, I think.

I caught a game one-day when Bob Cerone was pitching and his blazing fastball hurt my glove hand each time the ball slammed into it. It was scary catching for him.

I thought that Bob had the stuff to make the majors. For years I wondered if he ever went on to become a pro. I was delighted to find out subsequently from his wife that he was signed by the Yankees. I felt a lot better then, knowing that I was not mistaken. Bob Cerone was the real deal. Halfway through my senior year at HHS, I found out I needed glasses. It was only then that I knew the "real reason" why I couldn't hit a fastball ' I never saw it! Needing glasses also killed my career ambition to fly military jet fighters. So I became a photographer and realized my boyhood dream in pictures on an assignment for Amtrak Military. It was an ad for the Air Force. This was my plane, newly outfitted with my studio logo.

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Dear HixNews,

My brother James Tillman graduated HHS in 1966. Here's his HS portrait and a more recent one.

Jimmy took me to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for my 65th birthday. We had a great time. He lives here in Manhattan and is an amazing poet and man. He can be reached through me.

Denny Tillman '60

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Bob,

I asked Denny if I could send this on to you for posting on the HixNews site. His response: "Sure send it on to Bob. You might want to send his note, too, since it says where it was.

Kathy McDonald Corey

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note from Denny...

Kathy,

A cousin of mine in PA has been sending lots of old pictures to me and other cousins the past week. Most shots were of our uncles and aunts from the late thirties and early forties. Then, along comes this picture of me from probably 1958 or 1959. I haven't seen this picture, or another one like it, since then. The French bayonet I'm holding I still have. It's from 1858. It's engraved with the officer's name on it.

Anyway, thought the picture might jog your memory as to who that guy was who you were talking to recently. This was him out front of our house at 20 Washington Avenue. It was in an early development (1951) not far from the Plainview Mall, off Old Country Road (left coming from town), a half mile before So. Oyster Bay Road.

Note: The attached picture of the house is a current one. When we moved in it was a simple Cape Cod. Nothing like the mansion it has become.

Denny

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Hi. I hadn't received a newsletter for many months- think I managed to sign back up, though. Has the "You know you're from Hicksville, NY if..." Facebook page been listed or discussed recently (or at all)? Currently almost 1200 members, and growing, and- a HOOT!!!

Thanks-
Robin Kriss Rhea '72

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Robin,

I don't know why you haven't received any announcements "for many months", because you have been on our mailing list all along (with the same email address you are currently using). In any case, you did indeed manage to sign back up, as I have just confirmed.

Please make sure your email system is not screening-out email originating from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Best, Henry

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Perhaps the format of the announcement changed, or it could be I messed up, but I love the newsletter, so am glad to be back on board, so to speak!

Thanks!
Robin

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Welcome back, Robin.

Best, Henry

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Bob,

I want to let you know that you can remove my request. I have been in touch with Terry Sheehan, '64 and Charles Dohrenwend, '65.

I would like to put a new request in. Does anyone know where Danny Horan, '65 could be found. Terry and I were talking about him the other day and I thought to put the word out through the news letter.

Thanks again and keep up the great job you are all doing.

Mike Linihan, '65

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Mike

Your request is done. Thanks for the update.

Best, Henry

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Hi all

Just thought you might find this interesting. In October 2006 my husband, Donald and I went on a trip to Italy (Venice, Florence and Rome). At the group orientation dinner the first night in Venice, we sat at a table with another couple and proceeded to ask the usual questions-where are you from, etc. It quite a surprise to find we were sitting with fellow Hicksville High School graduates-- Barbara Zimmerman Lockman and Robert Lockman.

Barbara was in my homeroom and I had not seen her since we graduated. We had a wonderful, trip and reunion. We have met for dinner a couple of times since then along with another couple we met on the same trip (Yvette & Harvey Consor who were originally from Long Beach). We always have lots of laughs and have started a wonderful friendship

By the way please add my birthday-January 14 and Don's birthday Dec 23. We really enjoy the newsletter and appreciate all the work it takes to put it together.

Eileen Wieditz Moore

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Thanks for the great job you guys are doing with the Newsletter. You help keep the "good old days" alive and bring back so many happy memories. I noticed a note in this edition from Lainie Glatt. I am so sorry to learn that her Dad passed. Dr. Glatt was a wonderful man. He gave me my first real "secretarial" job. I worked for him my senior year of high school transcribing eye test reports to school nurses. Lainie was just a "wee" one at the time, but I will never forget her great parents. I have so many happy memories growing up in our home on Jerusalem Avenue and spending so much time on Salem Road (which is where the Glatts lived) with good friends. I went on to become Executive Secretary to the President at North Shore Animal League, where I stayed for 18 years before retiring to care for my Mom.

Again, thanks for helping jog my memory by doing such a wonderful job with this Newsletter. It's such fun to stroll down Memory Lane.

Carol (Mack) Berry

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Hi.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. You do a wonderful job with the newsletter and I'm sure everyone appreciates it. I have a question about the yearbook pictures, laughing. When was there a significant change in the composition of each pose and clothing that finally no longer made it look like we'd all graduated at the same time. Mine was the sweater with the little collar variety. You must have all the

yearbooks. Can you figure out when there was a significant change? Don't make it a huge project, though.

I just thought it was a funny coincidence. Thanks.

Pat Meehan Kelly Welles ('58) now just Pat.

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There was a family that lived on East Avenue by the name of Bidwell (or similar to it). They lived south of Utica Avenue. If I recall, they had one son. Although he was a number of years older than I was, I thought possibly he did go to the Hicksville schools. Does anyone know of this family or the son? I believe his name was John. Thank you.

Darlene (Grecz) Sacks '67

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Hi Darlene,
We do not have in our data base anyone by that name, nor anyone with a
similar name.

Best, Henry (for the editors)

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Would you tell me how to add a note to the Newsletter? I wanted to ask Carol Bianchi Hubbard '60 if she ever found Pat Benson. She and I were friends, I think at Hicks Jr High. Thanks, and a happy, healthy 2010 to all of you who put so much time and effort into maintaining our HHS site.

Kathy McDonald Corey '60

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Hi Kathy,

You just did add the note, by sending your inquiry to the editors. Buffalo Bob Casale will include your note in the February issue of the Newsletter.

Best, Henry (for the editors)

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Happy New Year Bob to you & yours!

I read the newsletter to the last line and you & crew have done a great job again. Thanks again for your help on my "cherished memories" article.

Sincerely,
Hank Chupka '55

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Bob and the Newsletter Crew

Thanks so much for the birthday card.

Herb Pearce

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Bob;

Thank you for the card. It was lovely and strawberry shortcake is one of my favorites.

Coincidentally, the 8th of January is also my father's birthday. He turns 92. He still drives, ( not badly either ), he bowls twice a week, and exercises in the community clubhouse. He's been a widower for 2 1/2 years, but was married to my mom for nearly 66 years.

A few names you could add to the "Memoriam list" are David Rule '67, Kevin "Doc" Russell '67, Cary Chalmers '67, and Diane Ghisone '68. David died around 1969 or 70, Kevin passed about 8 years ago. I'm not sure about the dates of Diane's or Cary's passing, but I've heard it from enough sources to believe it's true.

I miss hearing from Pat Driscoll. Though we never had a chance to meet, we had a wonderful e-mail relationship. She was the source of many of the jokes and other humorous things that I forward on to other friends. Her passing was both a shock and a loss.

Once again, Thanks for the card and have a happy and healthy New Year.

All The Best
David Teitel

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Please send my condolences to Steve Blust and his family on the death of his brother, Stu. The last time I saw Steve and Stu was at their dad's wake in the early 70's. My prayers are with them all..

Barbara Harlin Madden, '65

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Hi Bob,

Thank you for considering Cheryl Gries Brown (class of 1972) for the Hicksville Newsletter Hall of Fame. She is truly a one in a million person and, although she would never seek recognition, she deserves it more than anyone I know.

She is unaware that I have contacted you. I have spoken to her son, Clinton, and she was able to give me a bit more information. I apologize for the length of this but I wanted you to get a real picture about Cheryl. I've also attached a few photos. Thank you so very much! Please let me know when she will be inducted so I can alert other Hicksvillians!!! Any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,
Debbi Gould Coonerty

Editor Note: Cheryl Gries Brown class of 1972 will be officially inducted into the Hicksville Newsletter Hall of Fame when the February 2010 issue of HixNews is published on February 1st. Thanks for the interesting Bio Sketch that can be viewed at the Alumni Bios window and in the Hall of Fame.

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This note is for all alumni.

In addition to Cheryl's induction into the Hicksville Newsletter Hall of Fame'

• Pat Koziuk Driscoll "class of 1956"
• Charlie Gouse 'a great music educator'
• Ray Rusch 'Teacher and Administrator at Hicksville High School'

Thanks to all for your nominations. The choices are excellent and those inducted deserve the recognition.

I would like to inform HixNews of my new E-mail address (not shown). I haven't received my HixNews for Dec.&Jan.

Thank You
Vic (Skip) Platania Class of '58

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Your email address has been updated, Skip. All the Newsletters are available online at: https://hixnews.com

Best, Henry

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Joe / Bob,

I spent a little over a year in Vietnam and Northern Thailand and have quite a few photo's from the war. They are all in 35 mm slides, but I have found a friend that will convert them to digital pictures for me on the computer.

I will be glad to put together a selection of shots for you and send them on. I will try to get this done in the next week or two, but I just wanted to let you know that you can expect some pictures to help you put together the program you are working on.

If you are looking for anything specific, let me know. I am not sure I will have what you need, but I will surely look for it.

Being a reconnaissance pilot, I flew all over SE Asia and have some pretty good shots. I haven't looked at any of these in 40 years, but it is funny how quickly it comes back into view in your mind. Talk with you soon.

Steve Baum

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Grace

My sister, Eileen, graduated in 1959 with Roseanne Catalano. I also remember twin girls named Diane and Eileen Catalano...are you related???

Buffalo Bob Casale

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Roseanne Pitrelli the former (Catalano) is my sister. There is no relationship with the Catalano twins, however.

My nephew Al Pitrelli (Roseannes) son is pretty famous in the world of music. He is with the Trans Siberian Orchestra...conductor, and guitar player and his wife Jane is on Key Board. Look him up on his web site under Al Pitrelli...its a good story for your newsletter.

Grace Catalano LewandoskiHis father, John Pitrelli, was assistant principal and also taught political science at Hicksville High. He was well known by many people, including former students. John passed away in 1989...anyway Billy Joel and Al Pitrelli are pretty famous.

Al has many gold and platinum records as a result of his association with the Trans Siberian Orchestra. There are two production companies now...produced by Paul O'Neal. I think you will find it interesting.

I'm living in Sunrise Florida..... it's mighty cold here right now. You take care... healthy and happy New Year to you and your family. See my picture attached..

Best regards
Grace Catalano Lewandoski '60

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Hi

Just wanted to give my new email address and make sure I don't miss an issue. I did already put it in the subscribe feature on the site. But if you want to put it in the archive with my name, here goes.

• Dianne Burkhardt Class of 1968 (email not shown)
• Martin Burkhardt Class of 1963 (email not shown)

Thanks for doing such a great job...we continue to connect with many classmates because of you. Oh, FYI John Thorburn not sure what class he was in, maybe 63 or 64, died last week. His obit was in Newsday on Monday 1/11/10. He was a decorated Viet Nam War veteran. He should be mentioned in that new Veterans section. I'm sure you can get the details through Newsday.com

Have a great day!
Dianne Gunnigle Burkhardt '68

Editor Note: John's life is highlighted in a previous area thanks to his sister Joyce...

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Thank you for the birthday card.

Stephen Bress '75

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Attached are pictures from my last day at work - December 31, 2009. You couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

Semper Fi
Bill Walden '65

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Dear Bob Casale,

I was at my friend Barbara Davies McGeever's house and she had these class pictures. I told her I would send them to the newsletter. She was a graduate of 1967. I hope you enjoy them. Thanks again for this great newsletter each month

Barbara Hoosack Sarluco '68

Editor Note: please go to photo gallery to see photos and name some names

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Thank you so much for the lovely birthday card. You made my day. I am so glad to be alive!

Kathy (Jacob) Curtin '64

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Bob -

I'd love to help you with a picture of me in uniform. I don't have a single picture that can be found. I am, however, forwarding two pictures that I found... one of me from high school yearbook and a more recent photo. Sorry I cannot provide a military photo.

Steve Hughes '58

Editor Note: Check out Steve in the photo gallery.

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Dear HixNews

Thank you for the birthday card.

Pat (Kelly) Bruno '60

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Subject: SEE A PICTURE WHERE YOU LIVED....

This is absolutely amazing. It works most of the time. When you enter an address you will see a picture of that place. There's a little map with a little man on it - you can move the little man up and down the block if you need to. https://www.vpike.com/

Thanks so much for the wonderful birthday card! What a lovely way to start the day!

Peace and love to all.
Rosemary (Moran) Witfoth '55

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Good Morning Joe Carfora

Anyone who served in the military with an honorable discharge qualifies for certain benefits. The idea of an enrollment event such as that held at the VFW Hall in Hicksville on January 21^st was to sign up any veteran, have them go through the process, and see what they actually qualify for.

I retired from Local Union #3 IBEW on December 31 after 38 years and could use the VA if I cared to. Since I have great benefits from my union, I would rather keep my "spot" free so that a needy vet will be taken care of sooner. There is a whole new generation of veterans out there that need our help and support.

Joe Ingino, Major General Joseph J. Taluto, Congressman Steve Israel, & myselfI realize that we have many individuals who no longer live in or around the Hicksville area, but I think it would be of interest to them to see what still goes on in Hicksville. Maybe this would help others get involved where they live. I am more than willing to help any one with this type of event.

Also, I have two halls available for our needs. We can hold 170 people in one hall and 120 in the other. We are not sure how many vets will show up, but we are ready to help as many as possible. The Northport VA Hospital is a great institution and thanks to Joe Ingino we are able to do events like this one.

If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Semper Fidelis
Bill Walden

Here is a photo taken at an Afghanistan briefing that Joe Ingino and I were invited to attend.

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Bill Walden (Commander Hicksville VFW), Matt Rufrano (Nassau County Director of Veterans Services), Pat Youngstrom (Assistant Nassau County Director), Joe Ingino (Guard for Hicksville VFW and President of Nassau County Vietnam Veterans of America - Chapter 82).

Hi Bob,

The event was a complete success according to the VA people. Approximately fifty veterans showed up to be enrolled. This was a good number considering the event was from 10:00am - 1:00pm. They were veterans from World War II to Iraq. We had great support from other veterans organizations in the Nassau County area. Joe Ingino did an outstanding job of coordinating between the VA and us. The VA intends to hold another event sometime in the future. Attached is a photo from the event. We will continue to do what we can.

Also attached is a flier announcing our 75th Anniversary.

Semper Fi
Bill Walden

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Thank you Bob and the gang at HixNews for the birthday card.

Thomas Larkin '64

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Dear HixNews

Thanks so much for the birthday card and good wishes. To take the time to send a card for everyone's birthday is just a great touch to go along with the great job everyone does with the Hicksville newsletter. Thanks so much for all your hard work. I look forward to next month's edition.

Donna Schrimpe

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Just read the newsletter from the link on Face Book. I would like to add my brother to the In Memoriam Section. Philip S. McCafferty from the class of 1967 died in December of 2006.

Thank you,
Mary Eileen McCafferty

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Dear HixNews

Please add my name to your mailing list for the newsletter. I am a 1969 graduate and currently live in Hicksville.

Thank you.
Mary Eileen McCafferty

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Dear Editors,

As planned and announced in the October 1^st issue, we took a 3 month sabbatical due to the diminishing response we were receiving on gathering new names for the Vietnam Memorial project. We're now hoping that the absence and the New Year will give us some new life by publishing once again.

Our Thanks As always,
Joe Carfora '62

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WHILE WE WERE SLEEPING

Here's the latest news from your Vietnam War Era Memorial Project Team. Well, we weren't sleeping, but did take some time off from publishing updates these past few months. A diminished response over the last few months of publication led to this decision with the hope that the new year and our four month absence will give the readership cause to review the list once again and help in providing us with the many additional names we are still missing for this effort.

At the time of our last publication in the October issue of HixNews we were at 448 names. Twenty new names were added in the past four months for a current total of 468. Please see details on qualifications for the memorial, make-up of our project team and the project's current status along with a link to the current list of names in the 'Veterans' section of this newsletter.

And, as before, if you can help by contributing additional names and information to us, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thanks!
Joe Carfora, '62

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On behalf of the Project Team, Hicksville Vietnam War Era Memorial

The List of Names of those who served now totals 468. We are hoping that the new year will see a renewed effort on the part of the many readers of HixNews in assisting us with the addition of the many more names we feel are still out there.

The Project Team has been actively seeking broader distribution of the news of this effort and has now entered into detailed discussions on various fundraising efforts for the Memorial as well. Memorial design is also being initiated. Site selection in Hicksville and the necessary approvals to construct a Memorial are also pending.

Memorial Qualifications: A person must have been on active duty in one of our Armed Forces during the Vietnam Era. The person did not necessarily have to serve in Vietnam, because by being in service at that time he or she faced the possibility of being sent to Vietnam and was an integral part of strengthening our Armed Forces during a time of war.

Overall qualifications include:

• must have been a resident of Hicksville at some time before entering our Armed Forces
• must have attended a public, private or parochial high school while living in Hicksville (attendance at HHS not required)
• must have served on active duty anywhere in the world during America's Vietnam Era (1961-1973 per the www.vietnamwar.com history timeline)
• Both men and women qualify (We're stating this as we still have very few women on the current list)

Even with 468 names, we know there are many more that served who meet these qualifications, but have yet to be identified by the Project Team. Rough estimates indicate we should be able to collect between 2 and 3 thousand names. We have access to official records in Washington, D.C. but have found that many people left Hicksville before entering the service and show a different town or city as their home at the time of entry. So, we need to continue this grassroots effort and will also continue to use official records as a means of confirmation of all personnel on the list.

Our Project Team consists of the following members:

• Ken Strafer, Founder (HHS '62)
• Joe Carfora, Master List (HHS '62)
• Carl Probst, Input Data, Class of '59 & Others (HHS '59)
• Tony Plonski, Input Data, Class of '64 & Others (HHS '64)
• Tommy Sullivan, Press Release Editing (HHS '63)
• Walter Schmidt, Hicksville Local Coordinator & Town of Oyster Bay Veterans Services Officer (HHS '65)
• Joe Ingino, Veterans Advocate, Hicksville & Long Island (HHS '67)
• Jay Tranchina, Input Data, Class of '64 & Others, plus local press contact (HHS 1964)
• Bill Walden, Commander of Hicksville VFW Post (HHS '65)

What we need each person reading this to do:

Please click on the following link and review the current list of names:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AmMG_lUq31y2dGRoZU9hTUpjY1dnN1VEZGFLQlFic0E&hl=en

If you know of someone who is not listed, please send his or her name to Joe Carfora at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please use the information contained on the current list as a guide for the data we need.

Thank you!

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The Vietnam War Era Memorial Project Team

Footnote extracted from www.vietnamwar.com: During 15 years of military involvement, over 2 million Americans served in Vietnam with 500,000 seeing actual combat. 47,244 were killed in action, including 8000 airmen. There were 10,446 non-combat deaths. 153,329 were seriously wounded, including 10,000 amputees. Over 2400 American POWs/MIAs were unaccounted for as of 1973.

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MID-LIFE CRISIS BAND
WE'LL BE AT CALLAHAN'S ON SAT FEB 6TH AND AT PJ FINNEGAN'S ON SAT FEB 13TH!
SAVE THE DATES !!
MORE INFO TO FOLLOW !!!!
Anton Mure

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Hi...

I'm doing a solo gig at a very nice, upscale restaurant in Sayville. It's called CU29 and it's on S. Main St. The number is 631-563-0805. I'll be there on February 13th and 27th from 6:00 - 10:00. The food is outstanding as is the atmosphere. If you come down, I suggest you call for reservations. I hope to see you all. I will keep you informed of any other public gigs for me or the band.

Artie Romeo '60

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We recently had a meeting of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police where Sharon had her retirement luncheon. The group is made up of current and retired chiefs and sheriffs from all over the state. Here I am with two other retired chiefs from the South Tucson Police Dept. and the current chief (far right).

Me, Dan Knieter, retired chief 1994

Richard Vidaurri retired chief (I was his replacement)

John Martinez (reserve officer)

Sharon Martinez retired chief 2009 (John's wife)

Chief Richard Munoz (current chief)

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Thanks for the birthday wishes..... funny how your taste in cards was identical to that of my wife's!!

Thanks again.
Paul Backman '67

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I thought you might like this email I received from one of our classmates, Joan Siegl. WE correspond A LOT.

They might not be the quickest recipes but there sure are quite a few and I think many can be adapted to a quicker cooking procedure. feel free to send it to your friends; I filed it away in my Jackie's references file. By the way, when the '60 class reunion comes, if I can't get to go, will there be photos and commentary about it in the newsletter afterwards so we can see who went and whats been going on with them.

I SURE HOPE SO.

Jacquelyn O'Dell Carter '60

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Thanks for the card! I really appreciate the efforts you all put into the newsletter! Great stuff!

Best regards
Vinny Leippert '81

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Hi Bob,

Thanks for the birthday greeting. I almost forgot it was my b'day. Now I guess I will force myself to get out and celebrate.

Arnie Gould '64

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So, You Want To Whine About The Weather? Quebec City, Canada, 2009-2010

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Bob,

Holiday photo on the wards at Walter Reed Army Medical Center with PFC Bates, Ranger Battalion, Ft Stewart, GA.

Ken Strafer '62

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Here are some interesting facts that Henry Lichtenstein assembled from our data base of readers:

• 633 men; 657 women
• unique men's names: Austin; Brad; Brent; Brian; Chester; Conrad; Dale; Dean; Denton; Douglas; Eli; Elliot; Emmett; Ernest; Floyd; Garnet; Gregory; Gus; Guy; Herbie; Ira; Jed; Kent; Luke; Milton; Mitch; Neil; Nathan; Nick; Norm; Palmer; Pierre; Ralph; Randy; Rod; Ruben; Samuel; Sanford; Santo; Seymour; Skip; Stu; Terry; Tim; Todd; Vito; Warren; Westley
• unique women's names: Adele; Alaina; Alberta; Amanda; Anastasia; Angel; Antoinette; Aramilda; Audrey; Beatrice; Beverley; Bunny; Cecelia; Claramae; Clem; Cynthia; Dana; Doreen; Edna; Edye; Elyse; Ethel; Evelyn; Fay; Felicia; Georgette; Ghyll; Gloria; Grace; Gwen; Heather; Hillary; Hope; Isobel; Jacy; Jeri; Jessica; Jewel; Joy; Julaine; Kay; Leila; Leona; Louise; Lydia; Marcella; Maxine; Mabel; Noel; Melissa; Minerva; Meriam; Muriel; Myrna; Olga; Olivia; Paula; Penny; Perri-Ann; Phyllis; Pricilla; Shari; sophie; Torrilee; Vanessa; Vivian; Volena
• popular men's names: Robert/Bob (56); John/Jack (44); Michael/Mike (30); Richard/Dick (30); William/Bill (22); James/Jim (18); Stephen/Steve (16); David/Dave (15); Joseph/Joe (15); Kenneth/Ken (13); Ron (13); Charles/Chuck (11); George (11); Edward/Ed(10)
• popular women's names: Diane & variations (38); Patricia/Pat (29); Mary & variations (26); Cathy/Kathy (25); Barbara (24); Susan/Sue (24); Carol (23); Joan (20); Linda (19); Ann & variations (16); Nancy (16); Karen (15); Judy & variations (14); Elizabeth/Beth/Liz (11); Janet/Jan (10); Jean & variations (10); Lorraine(10)

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Thanks to the 'Commish' Dan Knieter for this'this'.little trueism!!!!

Life really boils down to 2 questions...

1. Should I get a dog.....?OR...2. Should I have children?

Just to let you know I'm thinking of you today. No matter what situations life throws at you. No matter how long and treacherous, your journey may seem..Remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

You're laughing aren't you?

That's good 'cause my job here is done!
Cats are so dramatic!!

Now that I made you smile, pass it on to someone else who needs a laugh today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great day and remember to give thanks.

Photo Gallery

Photos of Pat Naso and Steve Hughes

Old classroom photos from the 60's

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays

Anniversaries

• 2/01/1969: Priscilla (Tedesco) and Walter Reichel (L.I.)
• 2/03/????: Jaysen and Lisa (Sheffield) Silverman (NC)
• 2/05/????: Margarita (Cardwell) and Robert Wayne Chernok, Esq. (FL)
• 2/14/2002: Lynn (McMorrow) and Marc O'Riodan (L.I.)
• 2/14/1969: Robert and Leslie Otten, (SC)
• 2/14/1984: Joan (Siegl) and Fred Rudolph (FL)
• 2/14/2006: Elyse (Marlin) and Seymour Soffer (AZ)
• 2/15/1969: Barbara (Hicks) and Sean Beach (VA)
• 2/16/1957: Ann and Roy Meier (NH)
• 2/18/2000: Joan (Claudy) and Larry Berger
• 2/20/1965: Harry and Janet (McMenamin) Butcher (GA)

Honoring our Veterans

Why The VA Frustrates Veterans: Delay, Deny and Hope That I Die

As 60 Minutes on Sunday January 3, 2010 showed us: "Two Wars Are Slowing The Large Bureaucracy, Delaying Benefits."  What follows below is the text of their video.

Delay, Deny and Hope That I Die

Two wars and a recession have significantly increased the claims handled by the U.S. Dept. of Veteran's Affairs, slowing the large bureaucracy and frustrating many veterans.

There is a sacred tradition in the military: leave no one behind on the battlefield. But many veterans are beginning to believe their country has left them behind at home, once they're out of uniform and in need of help. That help is supposed to come from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the financial compensation it gives to veterans disabled by their military service.

It was Abraham Lincoln who said the purpose of the VA was to "care for him who shall have borne the battle." But the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have pushed the VA further behind in that mission, and today there are a million veterans waiting for the VA to handle their disability claims. That has led some to latch onto another motto making the rounds for how the VA operates: "Delay, Deny and Hope That I Die."

"When I hear that, I will tell you that it really troubles me. As somebody who has devoted 35 years of my life to this organization, and to serving veterans, it's extremely troubling that there are veterans who feel that way," the VA's Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits Michael Walcoff, told 60 Minutes correspondent Byron Pitts.

Last year, $30 billion dollars - one third of the VA's total budget - was paid in disability compensation to nearly three million veterans.

To receive a disability benefit, a veteran has to be honorably discharged. "They have to have a current disability, and provide evidence that it was service related?" Pitts asked Walcoff. "That it's connected to their service, right," he replied. "Why, then, is the claim form 23 pages long?" Pitts asked.

"A 23-page application form I think is probably, goes beyond just what is required. And one of the things that we're looking at is to try to simplify the process," Walcoff said. That process has been strained by a flood of disability claims - everything from combat wounds to injuries off the battlefield, illnesses and psychological disorders.

Since 2003, 400,000 claims have come from veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, hundreds of thousands more from aging veterans of earlier conflicts. Add to that the recession, which is forcing more veterans to turn to the VA for help.

Paul Sullivan was an Army scout during the Gulf War in 1991 and later spent six years working at the VA, analyzing trends in disability claims. "All of those things have resulted in the Veterans Benefits Administration facing a backlog of one million claims," Sullivan told Pitts. Sullivan said the system is "absolutely overwhelmed." He is now executive director of Veterans for Common Sense, a group that champions veterans issues.

"Veterans wait on average about six months to receive an initial answer on a disability claim. If a veteran disagrees with VA's decision, the veteran waits another four years. That is a crisis," Sullivan said. And that's how Army veteran Joe Devins sees it.

In late 2003, he was on patrol in Baghdad when he says an IED exploded near his truck. Remembering the blast, he told Pitts, "I'd say for the first few seconds afterwards, I wasn't really sure if I was dead or alive."

Devins left the Army in 2004 and now receives $704 a month for a back injury and for migraine headaches that he says were caused by the IED. Devins also claims to suffer from sleeplessness, anxiety and anger. "I haven't had a single night's sleep without either over-the-counter or prescription medication since probably December of '03." Yet it wasn't until two years after his discharge that a VA counselor told Devins he had PTSD (Posttraumatic stress disorder) and should apply for benefits. So he did.

Ten months later, the VA rejected his claim. Asked why they denied the PTSD claim, Devins told Pitts, "Because they said I had to prove, show them proof that the incident with the IED actually happened." But Devins was already getting benefits for the migraines he says were caused by the IED. Asked if that doesn't prove he was there, Devins told Pitts, "I would think so, but apparently that wasn't enough proof for them."

"What do you think they were saying about you, though?" Pitts asked. "That I was making stuff up," Devins said. "That I was just out to get money." The VA doesn't say that Devins is making up his claim, only that he can't prove it. He gets benefits for migraines, simply because they started while he was in the Army. But there is no mention of an IED explosion in his military records.

Devins' situation is not uncommon. It can be difficult to pin down a particular cause of PTSD. So the VA says it is changing the rules for these claims, and veterans will no longer have to prove a connection between specific incidents and their Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Changing the rules will take some of the work load off of people like Ron Robinson, a VA employee for 13 years, and a veteran who spent 20 years in the Army. Robinson told Pitts he was proud to serve and work for the VA, but that he's not proud of the work the VA is doing. "We can do better," he said.

Problems in the VA's benefits branch have been the subject of GAO reports and congressional hearings for years. Starting in 2007, the VA received sizable increases in its budget and began hiring thousands of new employees. Yet the backlog of claims keeps growing.

"We keep tryin' to fix it, but it keeps gettin' out of hand. We throw more money at the problem, more people, we still have the problem," Robinson said.

"So, what is it then? If more people can't fix the problem, more money can't fix the problem, how do you fix it?" Pitts asked.

"It's a culture. It's a leadership problem," Robinson replied. Robinson points to the VA's requirement that employees meet production quotas. It's a convoluted system of earning points for processing the paperwork in a claims file. The idea is to bring down the backlog, but Robinson says it also leads employees to make mistakes.

"Because they're focused on, as opposed to dealing with this veteran's case properly, they're focused on getting their points for that case?" Pitts asked.

"Of course. Anyone will tell you that," Robinson said. Asked what happens if employees don't meet their quotas, Robinson said, "Well, if you don't get your points, you know, you don't get bonuses, promotions, you know, you don't get the bennies." "I don't believe that they're being pressured to produce claims at the expense of quality," the VA's Michael Walcoff said. "We stress over and over again to our employees that quality is our number one indicator, that that's absolutely a requirement for successful performance."

But last March, the VA's inspector general discovered that the VA was making more mistakes than it reported: the internal investigation found that nearly one out of four files had errors. That's 200,000 claims that "may be incorrect." Attorney Douglas Rosinski has been handling veterans' cases for ten years. He characterizes the VA's disability benefit system as "broken." "This is one vet's file," Rosinski told Pitts, showing him a cardboard box full of documents. "I've seen claims files that were two or three of these boxes.

Claims are being denied unfairly, Rosinski says, because VA employees don't have the time to read the files thoroughly. "When you get a denial, and it says, 'We didn't see,' that's right. I mean, they're not lying, but if you don't look, you don't see. And even if you're looking, it's hard to find out what's in there," he told Pitts. Michael Walcoff told Pitts there is no incentive to deny claims. "And there's no pressure from anybody to deny a claim. And I can't say it any simpler than that." David Pitts is an Air Force veteran and one of Rosinski's clients; he served for 18 years. "Is your country serving you now?" Byron Pitts asked. "It's not my country that's doing this, it's the VA. You know, there is no prouder American than I am," David Pitts replied.

In 1968, David Pitts was on temporary duty in Korea when the Tet Offensive in Vietnam caught American forces off guard. Pitts says he was quickly dispatched to deliver communication codes across Vietnam when his helicopter made a hard landing.

"When we hit, we hit hard, got out of that and I didn't have any problem for that for about a year. But this was what I started receiving the VA disability for it," he said. David Pitts receives $644 a month for back and leg injuries that he says are related to the crash. He also believes he is eligible for additional benefits because Vietnam War vets with illnesses that could have been caused by exposure to Agent Orange are given automatic compensation.

The problem for David Pitts is he can't prove he was even in Vietnam. He says his two brief assignments were under verbal orders, and he was told there are no records of his having been in the country. "You had people and equipment just flooding into Korea and suddenly Tet happens," he explained. "And it was just - it was a period of mass confusion." He said recordkeeping wasn't a priority at the time. "Recordkeeping was not any type of priority at the time."

In recent years, David Pitts says he tried to find his former commanding officer from Korea, plus a hometown friend he says he ran into while in Vietnam, but both had died. Without corroboration or records, Pitts never applied for the benefit. Then in November of 2008, out of the blue, the VA sent him this letter. "It says, 'According to records with the Department of Veterans Affairs, you were stationed in the Republic of Vietnam during your military service,'" Byron Pitts read. "And you got this letter, you thought what?" "Well, somebody has found something," David Pitts replied.

Based on the letter, David Pitts filed a claim. It took the VA ten months to review it before denying it. It's an example of the complexity that both the VBA and veterans face in establishing what happened years - sometimes decades - after events have taken place. The VA says it needs evidence to grant a claim and it could not find any records putting David Pitts in Vietnam. The VA told 60 Minutes that the letter was sent by mistake, something it has not explained to David Pitts. The Obama administration and the VA say they have given top priority to ending confusion over military records and that new computer technology will someday track veterans from their first day in uniform through the rest of their lives.

"Why should veterans believe what you say? That, 'Ah ha, now we're gonna get it right'?" Pitts asked Michael Walcoff. "That's a tough question," he replied. "Because, certainly, some of the problems that we see in VBA have existed for quite a while. There have been efforts, believe me, to try to improve the system."

"The one difference that I think really is in place right now is that, I believe that we are seeing the advent of technology that is going to allow us to really change the basic way that we process benefits," he added. "Why should the average American care about the fact that veterans, their benefits are delayed, whether it's three years, five years, seven years?" Pitts asked Ron Robinson.

"Put on a uniform," he replied. "We served our country honorably and faithfully. And we deserve, we deposited into America's bank account. And when we come home, it's time for us to make a withdrawal. That's why we should care."

--- --- Walt Schmidt Veteran Services Officer
- - --- TOBay's Veteran Services Division
- - - - "Let No Veteran Ever Stand Alone!"
--- --- WorkDayTime: 516.797.7875 & 24/7 Voice Mail
- - --- Anytime: 24/7 Voice Mail 516.799.8300
--- ----Ken Sun - Weekly Column: http://experts.longisland.com/veterans

"To know yet to think that one does not know is best;
Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty."
- Lao-Tzu 71:1

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NY State Senator John J. Flanagan Honors John Andrew Thorburn, Ra The Rugged Man's Father
Saturday September 27, 2008

Hicksville Long Island's Senator recently honored Ra The Rugged Man's father for his service to the country during the Vietnam War. If you remember, Ra touched on his father's wartime experiences in his song, Uncommon Valor.

SENATOR FLANAGAN HONORS STONY BROOK VETERAN

Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently had the opportunity to host and congratulate Stony Brook veteran John Andrew Thorburn for receiving the Conspicuous Service Cross for his service to the United States during Vietnam War. The Vietnam veteran served in both the Army and the Air Force during his seven years of service to the country.

The Conspicuous Service Cross is awarded by New York State to honor those veterans whose service to the country was of high standard and honorable demeanor. A recipient must have either received one of a select group of high military honors or have satisfied some other criteria to receive the honor.

As a member of the Army, Staff Sergeant Thorburn was a member of both the 101st Airborne Division as part of the Screaming Eagles and the Green Berets before transferring to the Air Force in June of 1968.

He continued serving in the military while a member of the Air Force until his retirement in 1970 due to injuries suffered while defending his country.

For his service, Staff Sergeant Thorburn was issued a number of medals including the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross (Oak Leaf Cluster), the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Crew Member Wings, the United States Army Good Conduct Medal and the United States Army Silver Wings.

"It is my honor and privilege to pay tribute to Mr. Thorburn and to say, on behalf of our state, thank you," said Senator Flanagan.

"Men and women like Mr. Thorburn are the true heroes of our nation and we must always remember their sacrifice. This medal is one small way that we as state can show that our appreciation and tell them that their efforts will never be forgotten."

 

I came across some more information regarding Thorburn Sr.'s honorable service to his country:

Parrot enlisted in the Army in 1964. He went into 101st Airborne and then into Green Berets. He was stationed in Germany. He returned home after 3 years and then re-upped into the Air force. He volunteered for Vietnam. He was into fields and skies of Agent Orange. Parrot was a helicopter machine gunner. Their job was to save wounded soldiers in the field or rescue them from perilous conditions; many times it was while the fighting was still going on. It was "in your face combat".

On December 8, 1969 a fellow comrade came up to Parrot. He was about to go on his last mission before heading home, a patrol needed to be rescued. He was very nervous; he felt he would not make it back. Parrot said, "Don't worry; I'll go for you, you go home". His comrade was right. Parrot's helicopter was shot down, but not before he distinguished himself by silencing the enemy and saving the patrol. He lay out there for 3 days in pain, in and out of consciousness before they found them. Their pilot was killed. When the rescue chopper landed, they looked at Parrot and he could hear someone say "this one's dead". Parrot had sustained major injuries. They picked him up and it was excruciating pain. His hip was forced further up in the socket from the impact of the crash and he had multiple injuries. John was in Saint Alban's Naval Hospital for a year. He was in a full body cast for much of it and gradual steps until he could walk with a cane. He received his medals at the hospital; he received The Conspicuous Service Cross, Two Distinguished Flying Crosses With Oak Leaf Cluster and two Citations for Outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty, 4 Air Medals And of course a Purple Heart. He receives 100% disability.

John has had 6 children. Two, Dee Dee and Maxx were born severely handicapped. They were Microcephalic, (Small brain) they did not advance mentally past 8 months old. Dee Dee was born in 1982, she was only supposed to live a few days, but she did survive, the doctors then said she would never be a teenager, Dee Dee died last month, she was 25 years old. Max was born in 1991, he was worse than Dee Dee, he was also blind. 6 years ago Maxx died at the age of 10 unexpectedly. John and his wife never put their children into an institution, they cared for them. Their children could not speak or walk they could only laugh or cry, they laughed a lot. John"s daughter Lisa gave John his first grandchild, Vincent, in 1991. Vincent was born with a rare muscle disease. He died when he was not quite 6 months old.

Parrot, my brother was just diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in one lung and stage 3 in the other. Did I mention Agent Orange?

During the presidential debates, McCain and Obama both said they will take care of the country's veterans. Lets hope so!!!
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Uncommon Valor: The Story of Staff Sergeant John A.Thorburn and RA The Rugged Man (John's Son)
ARTIST INTERVIEWS By TSSCrew on December 20, 2007 at 1:08 pm

Words By DJ Sorce-1 Graphics By P.

On March 14th, 1970, during a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol mission in the Duc Lap area of the Quang Duc Province of South Viet Nam, a UH-1P helicopter carrying Capt. Dana A. Dilley, Capt. Marvin R. Loper, SSgt John A. Thorburn, and A1c David A. Carpenter was shot down by enemy ground fire. Staff Sergeant Thorburn, along with fellow gunner A1C Carpenter, suffered serious injuries. Captain Dilley lost his life in the crash, and Captain Loper sustained broken bones in one of his feet. An Army helicopter on the same operation was able to rescue the surviving crew and bring them to Cam Ranh Bay, where they received treatment for their injuries. Upon receiving treatment, they were brought back to the U.S. Despite being badly injured, Thorburn ultimately survived the incident.

Thirty-six years later, in a verse that would win him a "Hip-Hop Quotable" in the October 2006 issue of The Source, Thorburn's son, RA The Rugged Man, would retell what took place on that fateful March night in the Jedi Mind Tricks " song",  Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story. The song was featured on Jedi Mind's most recent album, Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell. Spanning fourty-four bars and nearly two minutes, RA's rapid fire, monotone masterpiece of a verse left people breathless as he dropped lines like  "Tail rotor broke, crash land, American man, Cambodia, right in the enemy hand"  over superproducer Stoupe's haunting production. His vivid storytelling ability and insight into his father's emotional state during the helicopter crash made the song an instant classic.

Over a year after its release, the verse stands as one of RA's finest moments as an MC. His verse is so good that The Crew's DJ Sorce-1 decided to talk to RA about what went into making the song. TSS is proud to present an in depth look at the genesis of "Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story".

Memory Lane

1960 Nicest Couple, Pat Martin & John Petree

 

 

 

 

 

 

1961 Nicest Couple, Joyce Asaro & Hank Guerra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1962 Nicest Couple, Marie Cramer & Frank Coletta

 

 

 

 

 

 

1963 Nicest Couple, Sue Heller & Bill Knudsen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1964 Nicest Couple, Jacqueline Noto & Bob Bonazzi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casale's Corner

What it took to get an 8th grade education in 1895

Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education? Well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895? This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina, Kansas, USA. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina , and reprinted by the Salina Journal.

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8th Grade Final Exam-Circa 1895, Salina , KS - circa 1895. Would or could you pass???

Grammar (Time, one hour)

1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph.
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of 'lie,' 'play,' and 'run'.
5. Define case; illustrate each case.
6. What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7. - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

Arithmetic (Time,1 hour 15 minutes)

1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. Deep, 10 feet Long, and 3 ft. Wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs, what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs for tare?
4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. Coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7percent per annum.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft long at $20 per metre?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.

U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)

1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided
2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus .
3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
4. Show the territorial growth of the United States .5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas .
5. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.
6. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton , Bell , Lincoln , Penn, and Howe?
7. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865.Orthography (Time, one hour)

Pronunciation (Time,1 hour)

1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication?
2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals?
4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u'.
5. Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions under each rule.
6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.
7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.
9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane , vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.
10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.

Geography (Time, one hour)

1. What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas ?
3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
4. Describe the mountains of North America .
5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia , Odessa , Denver , Manitoba , Hecla , Yukon , St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco .
6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.
7. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?
8. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.
9. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.

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HUH???  Are they kidding??? This is hard to believe....

Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete. Gives the saying "he only had an 8th grade education" a whole new meaning, doesn't it?! Also shows you how poor our education system has become and, NO, I don't have the answers!

The Geek's Corner - Computer tips from Bob Wesley '61

How to Send Pictures by E-mail

With the growing popularity of the digital camera, many people are taking pictures and attempting to share them with their friends and family on line. Many times, this is met with frustration, because the pictures have such a large file size that they overwhelm many e-mail servers. What you need to do is to create a smaller version of the picture to send via e-mail.

If you are using Windows XP, there is a fairly easy way to do this...

1. Open your 'my pictures' folder by clicking on 'Start' and then 'My Pictures'.
2. In your picture folder, find the file you want to send by e-mail and right click on it. Point to 'Send To' and then click on 'Mail Recipient'. If you want to send more than one picture, you can highlight a group of pictures by dragging them with your mouse or click on the first picture, hold down your shift key and then click on the last picture.
3. A small window will appear that give you the option to make your pictures small or keep the original size. Just choose 'Make all my pictures smaller' and then click 'OK.'
4. This will open up an e-mail message with your smaller picture already attached. All you will have to do is fill out the rest of the e-mail and send it.

The nice thing about this method is that your original picture is not changed. Windows just makes a smaller copy of the picture and sends it.

If you don't have windows XP, you will need a program to make a smaller copy of each picture before you send them. A free and easy to use program that I like is called Infanview and you can download it at www.irfanview.com.

1. With Irfanview now loaded, click on 'File', 'Open' and select your picture.
2. With your picture opened, clicked on 'Image' in the menu bar. Now click on 'Resize/Resample'. The Resize/Resample image will now appear.
3. Make sure the size method section in the lower right hand corner of the window has 'Resample (better quality)' selected and that there is a check mark in the box that says 'Preserve aspect ratio'.
4. The easiest way to quickly reduce the size of the picture is to click the 'Half' button until the size of your picture is down to the size you want. Something that is 300 to 400 pixels would be a good size then click the 'OK' button.
5. Now you need to save this smaller copy of your picture. Don't just click on 'Save' because you will lose your high resolution picture. Instead, click on 'File' and 'Save As'.
6. In the save as window, change the filename of your picture. I usually add the word 'small' or the letters 'sm' to the beginning of the file name. That way, I can quickly locate the new smaller file when attaching to my e-mail message.

Now, let's attach the new, smaller picture to your e-mail message and send it.

First, open your e-mail program. This will work similarly in all e-mail programs. I'm going to use Outlook Express because that's what most folks are currently using.

In Outlook Express, click on the 'Create Mail' button to open a new e-mail message.

Enter the e-mail address of the person you're sending the pictures to and type a subject for your e-mail. Now attach the picture by clicking on the 'Attach' button. Notice the picture of the paper clip? This is the universal symbol that stands for attachment.

When you click on 'Attach', this opens up the 'Insert Attachment' window. You will need to open the folder containing your pictures. Usually, pictures are stored in 'My Pictures' so double-click on the 'My Pictures' folder and open it.

Once in the 'My Pictures' folder, click once on the picture you want to send, or if you're sending more than one picture, click on the first picture, then hold down the 'Ctrl' key and click on other pictures you want to send. Once you have selected your pictures, click on the 'Attach' button.

Now that you're back to your e-mail message you will be able to see that your picture is attached. You can now write a message to go along with your picture and when you're done, just click the 'Send' button to send it on its way.

Well, that just about wraps it up for this month. Keep those e-mails coming in, and I'll do my best to answer each and every one. And don't forget, before you take your computer to the shop for a repair, give me a call at my office ' (518) 492-7907 or

(866) 610-1943 or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let me see if I can repair it for you at NO charge using a free program called 'CrossLoop'. You will need that program installed on your computer.

This is a FREE service for registered HixNews members and contributions can be offered to:

Drong Ngur Jangchub Drubdhe Retreat Center
744 Alder Bend Rd.
Ellenburg Depot , NY 12935

We are a 501(c) (3) Buddhist Retreat Center that will use 100% of the contributions to the feeding and care of the large number of feral cats that have called Drong Ngur their home for quite a few generations of kittens.

Have a good month and blessings to all at this Holiday Season.

Bob Wesley '61, The Geek