Electronic Issue 3 www.hill4-11.org May 30, 2001

SAN ANTONIO:  SITE FOR 2002 REUNION -- ED AND BECKY DYER HOST EVENT AT EMILY MORGAN HOTEL, JULY 19TH TO JULY 21ST

  SAN ANTONIO -- Ed and Becky Dyer have selected the Emily Morgan Hotel as the headquarters for the 2002 Reunion.  The historic Emily Morgan Hotel is nestled next to the Alamo and is just steps from the famous San Antonio Riverwalk.  The hotel has long been one of San Antonio's best kept secrets and is in the center of the shops and restaurants of the downtown historic district.
  Built in the 1920's, the hotel is named for the heroine of the fight for Texas independence who is immortalized in song and legend as "The Yellow Rose of Texas."  The hotel is one of San Antonio's landmark architectural treasures.

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DEADLINE FOR TWO $500 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS:  JUNE 30, 2001

  HONEY GROVE, PA -- The Scholarship Committee, Les Stottle and Greg Smith, have announced that two $500 scholarships will be awarded for the 2001-02 academic year.  A special thanks is due to all who contributed to the scholarship fund.  Applications should be requested in writing from:

Dick Hill
630 Woodside Drive
Kent, Ohio 44240-2664

The requests for an application form must be postmarked on or before June 30, 2001.

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ATTRACTIONS ABOUND IN SAN ANTONIO:  THE ALAMO, CASA NAVARRO STATE HISTORICAL PARK, KING WILLIAM HISTORIC AREA, AND SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

  The Alamo, the most famous spot in Texas, is where 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836, after repeated attacks by General Santa Anna's army.  Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo) was established in 1718 as the city's first mission.
  Casa Navarro, the home site of Jose Antonio Navarro, illustrates Texas' rich Mexican history and heritage.  Navarro was a Texas legislator under Mexico, the Republic of Texas and the U.S.
  The King William Historic area is a 25-block area near downtown on the south bank of the San Antonio River.  In the late 1800's, this district was the most elegant residential area in the city.  German merchants originally settled the area.  It was zoned as the state's first historic district, and has once again become a fashionable neighborhood.
  The San Antonio Missions are the chain of missions established along the San Antonio River in the 18th century.  In addition to being religious centers, the missions served as vocational and education centers.

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THE VP'S MAILBAG:  GREG SMITH AND BOB MUSHTARE REMINISCE ABOUT DC AND LOOK FORWARD TO SAN ANTONIO.   TED NIESS REJECTS HOLLYWOOD OFFER, OPENS BUSINESS, AND PLANS FOR REUNION.

Dear Cheese:

  The Hill 4-11 Association continues to get bigger and better.  The 2000 reunion in Washington, D.C. was one of the best!  Many old friends attended for the first time, and Denise and I really enjoyed visiting with them.  Les and Mickey Stottle deserve a big round of thanks for the excellent program.  They were also hosts for a prior reunion in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  Thank you Les and Mickey for a job well done and for being such active participants in our association.
  New, old friends included Willie Williams, Bill Glessner and Ed Dyer from my B Company days.  Ed was so enthused he volunteered to host our next conference in San Antonio.  What a great city!  The Riverwalk and the Alamo are known far and wide.  July 2002 can not get here soon enough for us.  Our children, Adrianne and Tyler, also plan to attend.  Tyler will bring his wife, Erika, and our grandson, Will, to San Antonio. Families are always welcome and encouraged to attend.
  Recon and E/3/1 were well represented in Washington too.  Brian Riedel was joined by first timers Pat Gauthier, Tom Coffey, and Terry Sula.  Our President, Tom Petty, selected Pat to carry the Association Guidon during the memorial service at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Mall.  Welcome old friends, and we hope to see you again in San Antonio.
  John Walker and Chaplain Ron Benzing were also first timers, and it was great to see them again.  Chaplain Benzing's remarks during the memorial service will not soon be forgotten.
  One of the things that made the Washington reunion extra special was the coming together of our web page, brilliantly designed and managed by Charlie Wood, and the new photos brought by many members.  Another first timer, Huey Fautheree, brought his photos from our time together in Headquarters.  Skip Fahel provided a wonderful slide show that was well attended.  Greg Miller brought a picture of what Hill 411 looks like today.  I would have never recognized it.  The communists and mother nature have completely changed it.
  Finally, Denise and I enjoyed seeing other return attendees and their families that included Mike Bush, Bill Conklin, Mike Dankert, Gerry Dinkle, Don Duell, George Ellis, Owen Harding, Dick Hill, John Kuelbs, Mickey Morgan, Bob Mushtare, Tom Petty and Doug Rompf.
  Our association is always looking for new members.  We made many new friends that we hope to see again.  We encourage all to check out our web page, www.hill4-11.org, and enjoy catching up on Hill 4-11 news.  We will see you in San Antonio in July 18-21, 2002.

Gregory Smith
gasmith46@aol.com

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Dear Cheese:

  My thanks to Les and Mickey Stottle for a job well done in hosting the reunion in Washington, DC.  It was without a doubt one of the most memorable reunions I have attended in a long time (and I've been to a few).  The memorial service alone was worth the price of admission, and for all who attended, you know what I mean.  Thanks also to all those who were in DC, it takes a lot to make this your vacation. In that, I'm grateful because I enjoy seeing everyone again, and for those who have been in attendance in the past.  Let's see if we can make it to the next reunion in 2002.
  Washington, DC is a great tourist mecca, but I don't think San Antonio has to take a backseat to anyplace when it comes to tourist spots.  Our hosts, Ed and Becky Dyer, will do a great job.  Look forward to seeing you there in 2002.  Just like, "Remember the Alamo," remember Hill 4-11.

Gratefully yours,

Mushy

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Dear Cheese:

  Sorry I haven't had the time, but I will take the time now because I know it is important.  Things have been pretty hectic these last two years, as I purchased a beauty supply store.  I bought the rights to most of Nebraska and that is a big chunk to chew.
  I decided to buy this store because I turned down the leading role in "Gladiator", the box office hit in 2000.  I just felt it was not a good part for me as the only nudity in the film was a bunch of guys.
  I am looking forward to getting to San Antonio next year.  It has been quite some time since I attended a reunion, and this will be a good one for me to get to. I will give the Topster of love a call and see if he can be persuaded to be there.  If he will not attend, I nominate his back yard as the next reunion site.  We can all bring our ponchos for tents and buy up a mess of C's for the BBQ. The worst thing that could happen to Top is he gets tossed out of his neighborhood.  But then he would probably want to move to Iowa or Nebraska and that would not be a good thing.  If you happen to chat with anyone, please give them my number and my e-mail address.  Take care Cheeseman and hope to hear from you soon.

See you in Texas.

Ted
TNIESS@aol.com

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SEND US A NOTE FOR THE NEWSLETTER AND KEEP EVERYBODY POSTED:

Hill 4-11 Association,
Dick Hill, Treasurer
630 Woodside Drive
Kent, OH 44240-2664

Or email at Ffdh749@aol.com

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OUR TEXAS ROOTS:  HAROLD STEADMAN AND TERRY WEEKS STARTED IT ALL FROM THE LONE STAR STATE

  TEXAS -- Although a whole host of people have contributed to the success of the Hill 411 Association, the association was started through the efforts of two Alpha Company members and their spouses.  In 1983, Harold and Peggy Steadman of Conroe, Texas, and Terry and Joyce Weeks of Burleson, Texas, began mailing letters and laying the groundwork for a reunion in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1984.
  Chattanooga was primarily selected due to its central location. nbsp;The Chattanooga Choo Choo Hiltonwas the site for the 1984 reunion, and some 26 Alpha Company members and 2 Bravo Company membersattended.  Those in attendance included:  Emerson and Peggy Mack, Dennis and Pat Reger, William Clements, Loren Simons, Mark and Karen Hornbuckle, James and Jan Anderson, Walter and Karen Robinson, Terry and Joyce Weeks, Gary and Kathie McCurry, John and Liz Sheffer, Otis King, Herbert and Vickie Hunt, Rick and Phyllis Winchester. Gary and Janice Miller, Chester and Kendra Rooney, John Secor, Harold and Peggy Steadman, Norman and Beth Church, Mike and Lynn Wolfe, Sam and Linda King, Bill and Linda McNamara, Mickey Morgan, Ron Wait, Gary and Pat Barnes, Clint and Karen Zoucha, Mike and Judy Caverson, Ed Lemberger, Richard and Marilyn Buchholtz, and Dave Johnson.

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THE EMILY MORGAN:  A HOTEL WITH A HISTORY

  Construction of the Medical Arts Building, now the Emily Morgan Hotel, began with much fanfare in November of 1924.  Designed by noted architect Ralph H. Cameron, this 13-story structure first opened its doors on April 1, 1926, making it the first documented skyscraper built west of the Mississippi River.  The soaring Medical Arts Building, the first doctor's building in San Antonio, was built at a cost of $1.5 million.  The building could accommodate one hundred doctors and office space for 400.  The first floor contained retail shop and above them were doctor's offices.  The thirteenth floor, used as a hospital, contained 33 beds.
  The Medical Arts Building is also known as one of the finest examples of Gothic Architecture in America, and it is heralded as one of the country's ten outstanding architectural achievements.  In fact, the construction of this building was so monumental that one of the city's main avenues was altered to accommodate its site.
  In 1985, this unique building opened as The Emily Morgan Hotel.  The $17.5 million restoration and complete interior design preserved its Neo-Gothic exterior, including the many terra cotta gargoyles, depicting figures with various ailments, including toothaches and other medical themes.  You can see these gargoyles today hanging over the windows on the ground floor level.

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A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT

  Thanks are due to all who made the D.C. Reunion such a success. It was certainly one of our most successful.
  A big thank you is due to Ed and Becky Dyer for their work on the 2002 reunion. Don't forget, as Ed says:  "Remember the Alamo, see you in San Antonio!"
  A special thank you is due to Charles Wood for creating and maintaining the Hill 411 web page.  Visit it at www.hill4-11.org.
  And finally, I would like to express on behalf of all members, thanks to Dick Hill for his service to the association as Secretary and Treasurer.  Dick has done a superb job.

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HILL 411 HISTORY

  The second edition of the Hill 411 History compiled by Les Stottle from the combat reports for the period of January 1969 to October 1971 is still available. The price is $15.00 for the 78 page history.
  If you already have the first edition of the Hill 411 History, an update of the first edition is available for $8. The update includes pages numbered 1 through 78. The update does not include the covers and pages I through IX.

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DUES, MEMBERSHIP CARD AND LIST, AND SCHOLARSHIP FUND

  Membership cards will be sent out upon receipt of the dues payment of $25. Also, for all dues paying members, a current list of members will be provided upon request at no charge.
  No money from the general fund (dues and 50-50 raffle) is used for scholarships. Accordingly, if you want to help out on the scholarships, do so by making a separate contribution to the scholarship fund.

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STAY WITH A LEGEND THE YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS

  Shortly after the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, Santa Anna, the Mexican commander, cast a longing gaze upon a young slave woman he encountered. Immediately enamored with Emily Morgan, Santa Anta later chose to take her into his confidence and discuss military strategies while in his private quarters. For several days, the Mexican commander was involved in an intense romance with Emily Morgan. Always faithful to her country, however, Emily Morgan passed vital information which eventually reached the army of Texas waiting to attack nearby.
  On April 21, 1836, as General Sam Houston prepared to lead his army of Texans into battle at San Jacinto, the fate of the Mexican army rested, quite literally, in the arms of Emily Morgan, the fabled "Yellow Rose of Texas." History acknowledges that it was Emily Morgan's ability to so intently occupy Santa Anna's attention which allowed the Texans to catch the Mexican army off guard, enabling the Republic of Texas to be born.

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Taps

Jerry Stasiak, who served in the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd/1st, passed away on March 6, 2001.  Jerry had a heart attack at home in St. Louis City, MO.  He also had many agent orange health-related problems and had been pretty much confined to a wheel chair for the past couple of years.

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Print this form to write a note, pay your annual dues, contribute to the scholarship fund, or purchase copies of the Hill 4-11 History book.




3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment
"Always First"

  • What's New at Fire Support Base Hill 4-11?

  • Did you know that the names of 177 KIAs and deaths in the Area of Operations for the 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry have been identified on the Memorial page?  Unfortunately, the Memorial is incomplete.  If you know of a comrade we have not identified, please use the Memorial Form, and tell us.

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© 2001 by the Hill 4-11 Association