Newsletter for the Alumni and Friends of
Hicksville High School Hicksville, New York

The Editors:
Buffalo Bob Casale '61	Linda (Piccerelli) Hayden '60
Pat (Koziuk) Driscoll '56	Bob (Gleason) Wesley '61

Contributing Editors: Bob Gillette & Walter Schmidt

Webmaster: Roger Whitaker

To contact the editors, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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For information on the Class of '63 50th Reunion, please visit 63.hixreunion.com

There are tons of stories associated with World War II. Many deal with heroism of men and women from all walks of life. Not many deal with behind the scene activity that provided the logistic support involved in helping sustain the many activities on various fronts. This is one of those stories. Please go to Honoring Our Vets to see a fantastic short clip.

Bob,

I wanted to provide a story on my Dad, George Thomas, who was in the class of 1944, on all the sports teams (Football, Track) as well as being hailed by Hicksvillites as a local hero in WWII. Among his military honors was the presentation of the Bronze star and a purple heart, a result of his involvement in the Battle of the Bulge. Dad became a Prisoner Of War (POW) following that catastrophic campaign.

Our family has been in the Hicksville area since the 1740's. My dad was 87 years old and had a wonderful life and loved Hicksville.

You have my permission to post his story on your web site as it relates to a generation that provided the foundation for all of us.

Thank you,
Mark Thomas Class of 1975

Hicksville Vietnam War Era Memorial - PROJECT UPDATE

Five new names were added to the current List of Names in March, bringing the current total to 1,809.  We're pleasantly surprised that even at this late date, new names continue to be added by HixNews readers! 

Once again, gains continue to be made in completing information still missing for many of the people on our List, plus focus is being given to names on the List that are likely to be, but still remain unconfirmed as far as qualifying for active duty service during the Vietnam War Era (February, 1961-April, 1975).  In conjunction with this, we initiated a new list last month of unconfirmed names, so you can review them without having to scroll through the entire list of 1,800+.  There are144 names  on this list and so far only 8 of them have received final disposition.

Please keep up your efforts to review both the Confirmed List of Names and the newer UNCONFIRMED List.  Both are available via two website links located at the bottom of the full Project Update in the Honoring Our Veterans section of this newsletter.  As a HixNews reader, you can continue to be of significant help with the data we are missing, by reviewing both of these lists.  All missing data continues to be noted in red on the List of Names to make it easier for readers to pick up.

On behalf of The Project Team,
Joe Carfora, HHS '62

The Newsletter

Photo Gallery

Pictures of Alligator Swimming with Dead Deer in Its Mouth.....Truth!

The story:

Pictures of an alligator swimming in a lake with a dead deer in its mouth. The text says the picture was taken by a media helicopter from KTBS over Lake George in Ocala, Florida.

The Truth:

The pictures are authentic, but the explanatory information is incorrect.
We're not sure what lake the email is referring to.
Perhaps Georges Lake, which is about 60 miles from Ocala, not in Ocala.

Also, these pictures were not taken by the KTBS helicopter.
KTBS is in Shreveport, Louisiana, which is more than 800 miles away.

KTBS tells us that this picture did not come from their helicopter, which crashed in 1992 and has not been replaced.

The facts are that these pictures were taken in 2004 by Terri Jenkins, an officer of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service over the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge about 40 miles South of Savannah, Georgia.
According to a news release, she was aboard a helicopter that was igniting prescribed fires in the refuge when the 12 to 13-foot alligator was spotted swimming with the full-grown deer in its mouth.

 The alligator will not be charged with hunting deer out of season, animal cruelty, or any one of several possible water quality violations.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Honoring our Veterans

You may have already known of this, but I sure didn't.

In spite of watching film about WW II and the European theater, I never thought to wonder how all the military vehicles were supplied with fuel.

They sure couldn't just stop at the corner station and fill up their vehicle, tank or jeep or car. I found this film fascinating.

Joe Carfora 1962

Memory Lane

Photos of trains, trolley cars, Coney Island...

Casale's Corner

I already knew I was dumber Than the fifth graders...

But now it's the Preschoolers!!A PRE-SCHOOL TEST FOR YOU

Which Way is the bus traveling? To The left or to the right?

Can't make up your Mind? Look carefully at the picture Again.Still don't Know?

Pre-schoolers all over the United States were shown this picture and asked the same question. 92% of the pre-schooler's gave the following answer:

"The bus is traveling to the Left."When asked, "Why do you think the bus is traveling to The left?"

They answered: "Because you can't see the door to get on the bus."How do you feel Now???

I know, me too. Have a nice Day!

Here's a quiz that is intended for the older generation. You youngins can take the quiz, too.

It'll be an education!!!

Send this to your ('old') friends with your score in the subject line.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART...In honor of National Mental Health Day, You can do your part by remembering to send this e-mail to at least one genius challenged person. Okay, my job's done!

Don't send it back to me. I've already flunked it once

Here's to love...it should make everyone happy!!!