February 2012 Membership Meeting
Please join us for our February2012 membership meeting at The Ram Restaurant & Brewery in Rosemont, IL, on Sunday, 12 February 2012 from 14:00-16:00. Highlights include a presentation of our draft 2012 budget, information on new standing committees, and some excellent Airborne camaraderie.
We’ll meet in The Ram’s private room, which will open to us 13:30. Feel free to order lunch or enjoy a local brew. We’ll draw one lucky member and pay for his/her lunch. Feel free to invite fellow troopers, family and friends. Hope to see you there!
Introducing Your 2012 Officers
Please welcome our 2012 Chicago Chapter executive board:
Mark Mueller, Chairman and Treasurer (3rd term)
Glenn Granat, Vice Chairman (3rd term)
Brian O’Sullivan, Secretary (2nd term)
Christopher Israel, Sergeant At Arms (1st term)
Per our By-Laws, officers nominations are held at the October meeting and elections held at the November meeting. Incoming officers were installed by past chairman Don Strazer at our Holiday party on 11 December.
Airborne Farewell: Kenneth Doumel
Our friend Kenneth Doumel passed away suddenly last week, on 26 Oct, at age 78. Ken was a Life member of the Association and our chapter, and served with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in Korea from 1953-55. Ken is survived by his wife, Catherine.
AIRBORNE FAREWELL – November 5, 2011: Our Chicago Chapter will perform our Airborne Farewell service for Ken at the Interment Chapel at Queen of Heaven Cemetery at 12:30 in Hillside. All Association members and friends are invited. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to organize. Following our Airborne Farewell, Ken will receive a US Army Honor Guard service.
Queen of Heaven Cemetery – Interment Chapel
1400 S. Wolf Rd.
Hillside, Illinois
His obit can be found at http://obits.dignitymemori
October 2011 Chapter Meeting
Our October 2011 chapter membership meeting will take place on Sunday, 8 October from 14:00 to 16:00 at Rock Bottom in Warrenville, IL. All chapter members, family and friends are welcome to join us for Airborne camaraderie. The highlight at October’s meeting will be 2012 officer nominations, so please attend and do your part to contribute to democracy. Contact info@chicagoairborne.com with any questions. Airborne, All The Way!
Airborne Day 2011
Following the success of the 2010 event, our Chicago Chapter will host the 2nd annual Airborne Day picnic on Sunday, September 11, 2011 from 11:00 to 17:00 at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 in Naperville, IL. Click here for all the details and to order tickets.
Honor Flight – June 29 – Ray Fary
Chicago Chapter Life Member Ray Fary is participating in tomorrow’s Honor Flight (Wednesday, June 29), which will bring 95 WWII veterans to Washington DC to tour a number of veterans memorials. The “Welcome Home” celebration will take place at Chicago’s Midway Airport at approximately 20:55.
Ray would welcome friendly Airborne faces to greet him and the other 94 WWII veterans. Ray is a charter member of the Association and served with C Battery, 80th AA Bn (attached to 504th PIR) and participated in action in Holland, Belgium, and Germany.
All Chicago Chapter members and friends are invited to attend this exciting event and should meet in Baggage Claim 1 approximately 20:15. Email info@chicagoairborne.com with any questions or to let us know if you plan to attend. Airborne!
Howard E. Kessler, 87, 82nd WWII Veteran
Long time Chicago Chapter member Howard E. Kessler of Glenview, IL, passed away this week at age 87. Howard served with the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment from March 1943 to February 1946. He was an Infantryman and earned the rank of PFC. He had one combat glide and participated in campaigns in North Africa and in Europe.
Funeral Service:
A visitation will be held this Saturday (11 June) from 09:15 to 10:00 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1775 Grove Street, Glenview, Illinois. Then, a funeral mass will be held from 10:00 to 11:00.
Internment:
Howard will be buried at All Saints Cemetery at 700 North River Road Des Plaines, IL. The gravesite service will begin about 12:00, based on arrival of the procession. The location is on the west side of the grounds. Our group will perform an Airborne Farewell, followed by military honors. The family welcomes our participation in seeing Howard off.
Attending the visitation and/or funeral mass are of course discretionary (I plan to attend). I encourage those able to attend to participate in the Airborne Farewell. Please plan to arrive at the cemetery not later than 11:45. Also, please share this information with members without email.
Airborne, All The Way!
Mark Mueller
Chairman
Chicago Chapter
OBIT:
June 2011 Chapter Meeting – June 12
All Chicago Chapter members and friends are invited to our June 2011 meeting on Sunday, June 12 at Rock Bottom in Warrenville, IL. We will recap recent events (incl. All American Week, Memorial Day parade), plan for upcoming events, and discuss other interesting topics. Also, our new chapter challenge coins are in stock and available for sale at just $10 each (note: one free coin to all members who attended the 2011 banquet).
The full Rock Bottom menu is available for lunch or drinks, and one lucky member will be drawn to win their lunch paid by the chapter. Feel free to bring your favorite Airborne stories or photos to share with others. Email info@chicagoairborne.com with any questions.
Rock Bottom
28256 Diehl Road
Warrenville, Illinois
Glider Rider Turning 100!
On 3 June, Chicago Chapter member John F. Overling will turn 100 years young. John served from 1942-45 with HHC/325 Glider Infantry Regiment, earning the rank of Sergeant and two purple hearts.
Honor Flight “Welcome Home” – May 11
Chicago Chapter Life Member Chester Aszklar is scheduled to participate in the Chicago Honor Flight planned for May 11. Chester served with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in WWII Veteran and is a former POW. He. The Honor Flight will take Chester to Washington DC for a tour the WWII Memorial and other attractions.
There will be a festive, patriotic “Welcome Home” celebration at Midway Airport on May 11 at approximately 20:40 in the vicinity of Baggage Claim 1. Chester and the group of 94 WWII vets will arrive on Southwest flight #443. Our Chicago Chapter will gather as a group to welcome Chester and the other vets with our flags and banners. All participants are encouraged to arrive an hour prior to the anticipated arrival of the flight.
Please email info@chicagoairborne.com with any questions or to RSVP.
