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488th Engineers

Class of 45  Reunions

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Kilroy was here ! 

Kansas City, Kansas, 2004

Click on any image for a much larger picture (Note: the full-size pics are long downloads)

Daytona Beach, Florida, November, 2003

The 9th annual reunion of the 488th Engineers was held November 10 - 15, 2003, in balmy Daytona Beach at the El Caribe Resort Center. This felt like home to many who attended as this was where the very first reunion was held in 1994. Carol Carr Amer and Lathy Amer did a great job making all of the arrangements.

The attendance of 41, included spouses, children, grandchildren and friends of the members of the 488th. During the week some ventured to Cape Canaveral, St. Augustine, the race track and the flea market. Others just chose to relax by the pool or stroll on the beach. Many gathered in the afternoon and evening each day to rekindle friendships and share war stories.

The annual meeting and banquet was held on Saturday, the 15th. It was decided that next year's reunion will be held somewhere west of the Mississippi. A memorial service was held for those who passed away during the past year, including my dad, Francis Gates. Both Mom and I felt honored and blessed to hear the kind words spoken about Dad, and we felt privileged to be a part of such a fine group of individuals.

The banquet was very nice. Delicious food, fine music, singing and many pictures taken for memory pages. It was really hard to say good-bye.

Cindy Gates Todd

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Front Row (left to right)
Galen Franz, Bob Lipson, Don Williamson, Sidney Kay, George Adels

Back Row
Harold McKay, Roy Schlabach, Harvey Lewis, Art Seibel, Wayne Morgan, Iver Eggenberger, David Uhle
Paul Robinson, James Gonyou, Earl Miller, Lloyd Conklin, Lathy Amer, Skip Salvas

Fifty years later on an August day in 1993 I had a call on my phone answering  machine from Baltimore, inquiring if I was the Francis Gates who once lived in in Black River and had been a member of the 488th Engineers in WW II.  The caller was George Carr,  I returned that call and learned from George that he had gotten together in Florida the previous winter with Paul Robinson, Iver Eggenberger and Wayne Morgan.   That group had appointed George as a committee of  one to create a reunion of the 488th Engineer Alumni.  I agreed with George that this was a great idea and that Mary and I would be there.
    George  and Carol Carr put it together for January 1994 at the El Caribe Resort at Daytona
Beach, FL  where they normally spent the month of January each year.  Prior to this meeting we continued to search for 488th members and by the time of this our first reunion had located about thirty.
    Fourteen of this group with their helpmates and other family members attended making a group of over thirty.    This was a very interesting meeting as most had not seen one another for nearly fifty years and comparing biographies coupled with old war stories made for an interesting time indeed.
        It was so well received that it was decided to continue searching for more members and have another reunion in the fall of 1995, Paul Robinson and Wayne Morgan were appointed a committee and Asheville, NC was decided on as the location for the 488th second reunion.
 
 
 

     Unfortunately after all his great work on behalf of the 488th to get the reunions started George Carr passed away on July 15, 1995.  Carol Carr has attended each reunion since and has become our official photographer and has kept a good record of each for us.
   Paul and Geneva Robinson,  Wayne and Lynn Morgan put together the Sept. 14 - 17, 1995 reunion at Asheville's, Ramada Inn West which was attended by 21 members, at this time we had located 54 members as well as another 76 known to be deceased.  Charles Alburger with the thoughtful help of his brother George was able to be in attendance and was well received by those present.  All told this made a group of well over 50,  the Blue Ridge Mountains proved to be a very beautiful place to be in the fall months and a good time was had by all.   One sidelight of this trip was the visit by many to the Biltmore Estate a extravagantly luxurious estate built in 1895 by George Washington Vanderbilt for his family.
    Galen and Bonnie Frantz, Jim and Dea Gonyou were appointed to arrange the next reunion to be held in the spring of 1997.
 
 

  Our third reunion was held on the high plains of Colorado at Colorado Springs, May 15 - 18, 1997.    Since our Asheville meeting we had located more 488th comrades and 22 were able to attend making a sizable group overall.  At this time we are averaging about 50% of those located as being deceased.   Batting 500 would be pretty good indeed if this were baseball but this is a different game.
    We had interesting meetings with newcomers biographies captured on video tape and some more wartime tales that seem to get bigger with the passage of time.  The Air Force Academy was visited by some, and the Norad  underground command center deep under a mountain.  This was a hard place to get in because of it's high security.  However Skip Salvas well placed contacts with the Boy Scouts of America made it possible for us to visit this
 facility.  Another afternoon was spent riding the Cog R. R.  up Pikes Peak. At 14,100 Ft. elevation's thin air quite a few of the old boys and gals were tottering around a bit.  This was topped off by a chuck wagon style mess (dinner) at the FlyingW Ranch.  It looked like about 500 people were run through the chow line in 10 minutes.  Some one noted our Mess Sgt. Iver Eggenberger furiously taking notes and it was speculated that if we all were to be reactivated that time standing outside the mess hall in the hot sun or cold rain might be shortened a bit.  A nice reunion was capped by entertainment of the Flying Wranglers Cowboy Band that was reminiscent of the Sons of the Pioneers of an earlier day.
    The group decided to have the next reunion one year hence in the Atlanta, GA area.
  One item of historical interest to add.  While on the Cog RR trip up Pikes Peak the motorman-narrator pointed out the elevation and area which Lt. Zebulon M.Pike and his exploration party reached in 1806 in their unsuccessful attempt to reach the summit of this mountain.  Even though unsuccessful in this effort, later the mountain was named for him.
    Seven years later we find the same Zebulon M. Pike here in northern NY in the war of 1812 already advanced to the rank of  Brigadier General.  Unfortunately he was killed on April 27, 1813 in the successful American attack on York (Toronto Ont.).   He is interred in the U. S. military cemetery at Sackets Harbor, which was an important Military Post on Lake Ontario in 1812 and subsequently became Madison Barracks a major installation until after WW II.  In 1817 President James Monroe visited to view the construction of Madison Barracks.  In 1838 President Martin VanBuren visited and in 1848 - 1851 Lt.-Capt. Ulysses S. Grant and family was stationed here.  In 1876 fire destroyed half of the Officers Quarters of Madison Barracks the then President Ulysses S. Grant made the decision to re-invest in and improve these military facilities.  To top that off Franklin D. Roosevelt, then Asst. Secretary of the Navy, visited Sackets Harbor to dedicate a monument at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield to those who served in the War of 1812.   In 1930 Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, Fox, Paramount and Pathe filmed the maneuvers of the Seventh Field Artillery and the Twenty-Eighth Infantry on the ice of Lake Ontario.

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  May 14-16, 1998 found the 488th alumni meeting at Stone Mountain, GA outside Atlanta.  Twenty four members were present which included 8 new attendees, unfortunately about 6 regulars were unable to be there, or we would have been able to break the 30 ceiling which we will be aiming for at the 1999 reunion to be held in the fall of 1999.   Atlanta proved to be a very good meeting and it was Edie Pitts with Eugene Clary who's hard work and efforts on our behalf made it the success it was.
    Outside of the 488th formal and informal meetings some highlights of this gathering was Fridays all day tour of Atlanta which included the Cyclorama which, "shows what happened during the War of Northern Aggression."  Followed by a tour of the 96 Olympics Centennial Park.  Other places visited included the CNN Center, Georgia State Capitol, the Sweet Auburn Area, Peachtree Center Complex, the Fox Theater, Colony Square, Woodruff Arts Center and High Museum, ending with an hours tour of Ted Turner Field home of the Atlanta Braves.

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     Since the 488thís Oct. 1999, reunion in San Antonio, which Mary and I were unable to attend, I have had several calls and correspondences from Skip Salvas, Bob Lipson, Harvey Lewis, Paul Robinson, and Carol Carr among others.  All reported a good get together in San Antonio.  Paul in particular was taken up with the Alamo history and recited verbatim what happened in the 13 days in which it took place Feb 23, 1836 to March 6, 1836.
     One of my reporters, Bob Lipson wrote, ì I can only add that the camaraderie and affection that permeated the entire gathering were truly amazing.  Just sitting around in the hospitality room, listening to the war stories, (which grow better and bigger with each telling) as well as the commentary was well worth the participation in this event.
 Roy and Verline hosted the hospitality room with a generous supply of soft drinks, beer and a variety of snacks and other goodies.  The riverboat tour was a real treat. Each boat held about 50 passengers, all seated of course, and a Captain who commented on the various sights as we proceeded down the narrow waterway which is bordered on both sides by eating establishments, hotels, colorful vegetation and pedestrian pathways.
     The hotel facilities were most comfortable.  The guestrooms were spacious, the hospitality room satisfied even yours truly.  One added plus was that the hotel maintained several 15-passenger vans that were available to the hotel guests.  Thus on Thursday night at least 25 or so of us were transported to a Mexican restaurant suggested by Senor Dave Uhle.
 Prior to the banquet we gathered poolside where soft drinks, wine and mixed drinks were available.  The Maruichi band entertained us, giving us a Southwest flavor to the occasion.  When dinner was ready to be served they led us into the dining room and departed our company.  (After I wrote their check)

October  27, 28 & 29,   2000

 

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488th Reunion 2001,  Charleston,  SC

October 26 - 29, 2001

From

The  Soperton  News

Soperton Georgia 30457

       A Chat with James Windsor :  Charleston,  SC has survived hurricanes, an earthquake, pirates, a war.....
and now a visit by the 488th Engineers.    In January 1994 you read here about the 50th anniversary reunion of my World War II outfit.  We built bridges across Europe.
    Now, we are just back from our seventh get-together.  It was great as they all have been.  We had almost 50 present, counting wives, relatives and friends.  Our first reunion was in Daytona Beach.  Then came Asheville, NC,  Colorado Springs, Atlanta, San Antonio, and last year Branson, MO.
    Thad Williamson has been with me every time and his mama every time after the first. (I think we talked to much about our escapades in Florida.)  At these reunions we reminisce constantly, look at old photos and scrapbooks.  I wish there was space to tell you some of the stories, tales that get better with each retelling.
    Edie Pitts did another wonderful job putting this together for us.
    We stayed at the Radison Hotel which prepared a buffet for us as we began to arrive Friday afternoon. Oct. 26. We had a bus tour Saturday seeing the Citadel, mansions along the Battery, 18th century Rainbow Row, magnificent public buildings and churches, with lunch at Poogan's Porch.
    That afternoon we took a harbor tour, seeing Ft. Sumpter, the aircraft carrier Yorkstown and other famous ships.
    Sunday morning was reserved for a tour of Drayton Hall.  Built about 1738, it is considered the finest Georgian Palladian house in the south.  We were on our own that afternoon.  Bonnie, Thad and I went to the new Charleston Aquarium to see thousands of South Carolinas amazing aquatic creatures.
    At the banquet Sunday night some of the highlights were Harvey Lewis showing us his "Thank - You- America Certificate" from the Consular General of France:    Ginny Wachenheim's guest, JoAn Skyrme, being appointed 488th Chaplain:  Gene Clary presenting Alma Williamson with a special plaque; and a memorial service by Roy Schlabach for four departed comrades.

    Our members who came this year; Willis Baggett, Newnan GA;  Gene Clary,  Marietta, GA;  Galen Frantz,  Ft. Collins, CO;  James Gonyou,  Longmont,  Co;  Jerry Grunes,  Glencoe, I;  Sid Kay,  Hartsdale, NY;  Harvey Lewis,  Pound Ridge, NY;  Bob Lipson,  El Paso, TX;  Harold McKay,  Witchita, KS;  Earl Miller,  Grove, OK;  Wayne Morgan, Palm Coast, FL;  Paul Robinson,  Asheville,  NC;  Roy Schlabach,  Fayetteville, TX;  John Slack,  Pembroke Pines, FL;  Bob Tieman,  Portsmouth, OH;  Dave Uhle,  Maple Glen, PA;  Don Williamson,  Eastlake, OH;  and James Windsor,  Soperton, GA.
    There were many suggestions for the 2002 reunion.  These places will be checked out and a report made to Robert Lipson and Paul Robinson by March 15 of next year.

488th Reunion

October 2002

Des Moines ,Iowa

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The men of the 488th L.P. Engineers, their wives, children and friends were warmly welcomed to the eighth annual reunion October 24th-27th 2002. The well-known hospitality of Iowa was evident from the first arrival to the last departure from the Renaissance Savery Hotel in Des Moines. The initial reluctance of those who had little regard or hope for an enjoyable reunion in, "of all places Des Moines, Iowa" , was forever changed by the reception and hospitality shown during the weekend. The newly refurbished rooms and suites and the entire staff helped the fifteen veterans and their guests enjoy a most delightful reunion.

The Mayor of Des Moines greeted and welcomed the group with his appreciation for and recognition of the important part the construction of the Bailey bridges served in winning the war in the European Theater. An appointee of the Governor of Iowa brought greetings and presented the group with the State of Iowa flag that had been flown over the Capitol in gratitude for the service performed by the 488th. Nightlife on nearby Court Avenue offered an alternative to sleeping the night away. The upscale Splash and the Taste of Thailand gave options to numerous other restaurants and cafes for dining. The four miles of enclosed skywalk leading to stores, shops, and other points of interest were explored and enjoyed to fill any unscheduled time.

Two bus tours were enjoyed. The historical Madison County tour guided participants through Francesca's House - the actual house where many scenes from the movie, Bridges of Madison County were filmed. One could walk and see where Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep portrayed the Francesca and Kincaid rendezvous. Other points of interest were the Howell Tree farm where fifteen acres of flowers are grown and dried. The floral arrangements and crafts are shipped all over the country. John Wayne's birthplace, and three of the six historical covered bridges that were built in the 1800's completed the tour. The Cities Tour of Des Moines and Valley Junction (a small historical district filled with antique stores, boutiques, gift shops and restaurants) filled a day with places of interest.

The awe-inspiring architecture of the Iowa Capitol Building with its 23-carat gold-covered dome which rises 275 feet above the ground was a hit. It is one of the nations best examples of 19th c. architecture and has a three-story rotunda and a grand stairway with mosaic artwork and stenciling. We also toured Salisbury House, a 42-room mansion built in the 1920's and modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England. A true reflection of Tudor, Gothic and Carolean periods of architecture, it was once featured on America's Castles.

The last stop on the tour was Hoyt Sherman Place, a multi-purpose venue of priceless artwork and artifacts of the 19th & 20th centuries' including paintings, silver and crystal. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The evening was open for theatre entertainment, and the choices included the Riverdance troupe from Ireland, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch both within walking distance of the hotel. The business meeting was conducted by "Paul, Sir", our favorite Southern-speak --"Cain you'se all heah me?" Carol and Lathy Amir agreed to make arrangements for the next reunion in the Fall of 2003 to be held in Daytona Beach, Florida at the same location of the 50th year reunion in 1994. Roy Schalbach conducted a meaningful memorial service for all of the members who had departed since the last reunion with a special tribute to our beloved member James Windsor.

A pre-banquet gathering in Monihan's Speakeasy lounge with Chaplain JoAn Skyrme at the grand piano preceded the Sunday Evening Buffet Banquet. While many vocalists (Jerry, Bob, Frances, Sandie, and et al.) joined JoAn around the piano, many more danced the room with their partners to many favorite old tunes. Upon hearing their favorite dance tune, Don and Alma Williamson left the walker behind, and joined the others on the floor to the delight of everyone. It was a vibrant, noisy crowd with songs in their hearts that moved from the Speakeasy to the Banquet Hall to enjoy a bountiful and delicious buffet dinner. Harvey and Barbara missed the banquet because of an early departure to Chicago for a family reunion.

Those attending the weekend event were; Lathy & Carol-Carr Amer of Baltimore, MD; George & Carolyn Edlin of Sun City West, AZ; Iver Eggenberger (We missed you, June.), and son Gary Eggenberger of Charles City, IA; Galen and Bonnie Frantz of Ft. Collins, CO; Jim & Dea Gonyou of Longmont, CO; Jerry & Barbara Grunes of Glencoe, IL; Sid & Sandie Kay of Hartsdale, NY; Harvey & Barbara Lewis of Pound Ridge, NY; Bob & Naida Lipson of El Paso, TX; Hilary Lipson Para of Austin, TX; Harold & Frances McKay of Wichita, KS; Earl & Eleanor Miller of Grove, OK; Beverly Miller Cox of Kansas City, MO; Paul and Geneva Robinson of Asheville, NC; Roy & Verline Schlabach of Fayetteville, TX; Art & Phyllis Seibel of Wilmington, DE; JoAn Skyrme of Belmond, IA; Bob Tieman of Portsmouth, OH; Ginny Wachenheim of Belmond, IA; Lee Ann Wachenheim Waltzing of Belmond, IA; Sarah Waltzing of Belmond, IA and Don & Alma Williamson of Eastlake, OH.