CHAPTER NEWS
I’VE BEEN WORKING ON THE RAIL ROAD…
This is one tune that will have deeper meaning for
the attendees of the 2002 reunion in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Our first day was spent at Steamtown National
Historic Site; the only national park dedicated to the history of steam
locomotion. Lead by a tour guide we saw
a working roundhouse, restoration shop, demonstration of a turntable and a
short train ride.
Breaking for lunch, we were taken to Cooper’s
Seafood Restaurant. Cooper’s nautical
theme atmosphere was fascinating to all.
We ate in the Whale Room with a full size replica of a whale hanging
over us.
Our next excursion brought us to the Electric City
Trolley Station and Museum. This is an impressive collection that preserves the
history of the electric trolley system that began in Scranton.
An electric trolley ride recently re-opened capped
off the visit.
SIXTEEN TONS.. WHAT DO ‘YA GET….
This is the other tune that will ring a bell of new
realization after having visited the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour and The
Anthracite Heritage Museum.
A former miner took us 300 feet down into the earth
to explore the winding caverns of an actual coal mine. Alice Mullen remarked
that she never thought about the hard work involved in bringing the coal to
where she was just shoveling it from a pail into her furnace as a child. Leo Orfe also expressed his shock at
learning that young boys worked long hours in deplorable conditions. He called it slave labor.
Our free time and evenings were spent in a very
roomy, accommodating hospitality lounge.
Chairman Bob Cudworth had food and drinks available and plentiful.
It has become a tradition with our chapter meeting
for Warren and Adele Reed to add their unique touch in the form of fresh
Virginia peanuts. There is also a
raffle of very beautiful gifts that Adele Reed donates lovingly after our
meeting and banquet. We thank and
appreciate you both.
A Norwich Terrier called Monty greeted a stream of
visitors who came to see him as well as the Granoffs. We hope to see him again next year.
At our dinner banquet and business meeting the slate
of officers were all re-elected for the coming year. Some various locations were suggested for reunion 2003. We were unable to decide on a specific
location. A motion was made to leave
the decision up to the chapter officers.
Another raffle was held for a hand knitted red,
white and blue wool scarf with the Americal Southern Cross stars. The scarf is the creation of Harriet
Gold. Eileen Tunis won it. Thank you Harriet.
Everyone received a genuine piece of anthracite coal
“black diamonds” with the Americal insignia.
We had a total of 43 attendees. Of these, 14 were
World War 2 vets, 9 were Vietnam vets, 2 were widows of World War 2 vets, and
the rest were family and friends. This was the first reunion for 5 of the vets,
1 of them was a World War 2 vet and the other 4 were Vietnam vets.
Submitted by Eileen Tunis, Secretary