Minutes,
May 31, 2009
82nd Engineer
Combat Battalion
The annual business meeting of the 82nd Engineer CombatBattalion Association, held in conjunction with
the Association’s 26th reunion, was called to order at 10 a.m. May 30 (Saturday) by Commander/ Treasurer Edward (Doc)
Molloy. The meeting was held at the Marriott Hotel, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
The invocation was given by Edward Husted, in absence of chaplain, Mike Drabik. Jack Gallagher and
Lloyd Kenyon conducted the presentation of the flag, and Murray Lehrer led the pledge of allegiance.
Recent deaths of Company A members were recognized, followed by Taps. Listed were: Capt. John R. Davis,
Virgil R. Cooper, Curt Cressman, and Dorothy Shanley, wife of 82nd member, William (Bill) Shanley.
Molloy noted that member Fred Schneider, who lives in Baltimore, made every attempt to attend the ceremonies
for Davis at the Arlington Cemetery, however Schneider was unable to arrive until after the service.
Molloy also pointed out that Bill Shanley a resident of the Chicago area, was recovering
from successful surgery.
In further comments, Molloy said Cooper, a former medic, had gone on to become actively involved in
politics, was a former school superintendent, and had authored several books.
Nine members were present at the roll call, conducted by Membership Chairman Buol Hinman, including:
Carl Bodek, Jack Gallagher, Hinman, Husted, Lloyd Kenyon, Murray Lehrer, James Mattina, Molloy, and George Pursiano.
Molloy introduced first-time reunion visitors, Monty Montegue and Sylvester Lantz from the “new”
82nd Engineer Combat Battalion Association. Molloy said visitors also included Stephen Smigielski, and his son, the grandson
of a former Association member, the late Francis Smigielski of Company A.
The high school teenager has
taken a great deal of interest in his grandfather, World War II, and the 86th Battalion, Molloy said, and the young man was
looking forward to spending time with members of Co. A.
The commander then welcomed members and guests and expressed appreciation to associate members
Patti Martin daughter of George Pursiano, and Pat Gallagher, son of Jack
Gallagher for planning and
arranging the reunion. “They have done a fine job, and we’re all grateful to them for making this gathering possible,’’
Molloy said.
Minutes of the 2008 reunion business meeting were
read by the secretary, and approved
upon motion of Gallagher and a second by Bodek.
In his report, Molloy read a message from former commander, Robert (Bob) Fugler, of Fullerton, Calif.
who explained health problems were continuing to keep him homebound and unable to travel from his California home. In addition, the commander reported that Al Goodeau of New
Orleans was no longer mobile.
Bodek reported that Drabik of Pittsburgh, Pa., also is unable to travel and Pursiano said he had learned
that Frank Oriole of Wanaque, N.J., was ill with cancer.
Molloy profiled a brief history of the 82nd Engineer Combat Battalion Association, which he said had
been spearheaded by a small group of the World War II 82nd veterans including Drabik, Pursiano, Andy Palco, Bill Preston and
Bodek.
Pointing out the first reunion had taken place in Pittsburgh in 1983, the commander commended Hinman
for his “tremendous effort” over the years in reaching other 82nd veterans, including Molloy who said Hinman had
contacted him about 15 years ago. Thanks to
Hinman, Molloy said, about 80 percent of those involved, or more than 500 names had been accrued.
Hinman called attention to one member of the Association --Dr. Frank Braden of Coraopolis, Pa. -- who had celebrated his 100th birthday. The former Battalion
surgeon was still practicing medicine, said Hinman, noting the “doctor always had a special place in his heart for the
82nd.’’
Molloy ended his report with information on the February snowbirds’ luncheon. Noting that each
winter, a few members of the Association who are vacationing in Florida and others who live there, meet for a mini-reunion.
He said 10 members from the “new” 82nd (organized
some time after the World War II
Battalion) had attended the luncheon.
Molloy said the visitors had presented special plaques to each of the Association members who had attended
the event. He said he had learned the “new” 82nd Battalion organization includes about 200 in its ranks.
The commander presented plaques to Bodek and Pursiano, who had not attended the February luncheon.
In his financial report, Molloy said that after paying reunion and
other Association expenses, he anticipated a balance of $1,651.68 as of June 1, 2009.
The report was accepted upon motion of Gallagher, and a second by Lehrer.
In addressing new business, Molloy said the Association membership faced a big decision. “The
current officers are tired,” he said, “and as of today, we quit, which means that at this meeting, members must decide on where we go from here and who you
want as officers.” Molloy said the group could
decided to end the Association, or join the new 82nd group. Those are two options...’’
Faced with requests to remain at their posts,
Molloy and Hinman both indicated
they were determined to step down. Indicating
he had faced some serious health problems over the past year, Hinman-- membership chairman and editor of the Association newsletter
-- said he concurred with Molloy. “Like Doc said, we’re tired,’’ he said.
Molloy pointed out that at the 2008 reunion, only 14 members attended, and even fewer had turned out
for the 2009 gathering.
Molloy noted that it had been decided two
years ago, that reunion turnouts would be greater if the events were held in New
York
State, home for a number of members. However,
he said, the turnouts remain low. For some members, he said lack of participation could relate to costs, and for many it’s
a matter of health problems and aging. Associate
members have taken over arrangements for the most recent reunions, Molloy said, but member participation levels still remain
low.
Sylvester Lance, said the new 82nd was planning a reunion in 2010, which is scheduled at Myrtle Beach.
Hinman said that perhaps the Association could participate in that reunion, but as a
separate group.
Jack Gallagher said he thought the Association should just continue on... “We could get together
once a year, and let it go at that...”
James (Jim) Mattina of
Buffalo, said he was strongly opposed to joining the new 82nd group. “We have only a few members compared to that group,’’
he said “We would be overwhelmed...We would get lost in the shuffle. And, we’d lose our identity.’’
Mattina said he would like to see the Association go on, as
“long as we have people able to get to the reunions.’’
Mattina suggested that perhaps the Associates should take over running the Association.
Patti Martin said that group had not discussed the possibility of taking over administrative aspects
of the Association. However, she said the Associates would be willing to go on helping in whatever way they could, and would
continue to take care of reunion arrangements.
After some discussion, Molloy adjourned the meeting for lunch and noted the session would be resumed
at 2 p.m.
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At 2 p.m., the meeting was again called
to order by Molloy.
The first to address the group
was Patti Martin. “We listened to you earlier at the meeting, and we realize you are trying to preserve your legacy,’’
she told the group. “First, we think that ultimately merging (with the new 82nd) is a great idea, however, we don’t
know enough about this group, at this time,’’ she said. “We believe you should take another year to see
how this would work. A lot more information is needed, so
we recommend you take this next year to fully
evaluate that possibility. Meanwhile, the Associates will continue to do everything necessary for another reunion next year.’’
Pat Gallagher said the Associates would
not take over other Association duties, such as sending flowers in case of deaths. “We will deal only with reunion plans
and arrangements,” he said.
During the break, Mattina said, “we learned that unlike our Association, the new 82nd is not
really organized...They have no officers, only a Web site. We need time. We can’t jump into this.’’
Ed Husted called for volunteers who would be willing to carry out assignments. Mattina called for Molloy
and Hinman to continue as officers for another year, “until we can make up our minds what we want to do.” “We
can’t,” Molloy said. “I’m done...we’re both done. I just can’t do it for another year.
We need volunteers to take over.”
It was also pointed out that volunteers--at least two Association members-- would be needed to work
with the new 82nd to learn more about what would
be involved if the two groups were to merge.
Murray Lehrer volunteered to serve as treasurer. Associate member, Todd Husted volunteered to work
with Pat Gallagher and Mrs. Martin in connection
with the 2010 reunion.
Todd Husted also recommended that Molloy continue on for a year as president emeritus, with financial
responsibilities to be taken over by Lehrer, and other administrative duties to be taken over by volunteers.
Ed Husted made the motion that during the next year, work on restructuring the Association be undertaken
and that Molloy act as coordinator in regards to establishing relations between the Association and the new 82nd. The motion
was carried upon a second by Gallagher. Husted also called for Lehrer to be selected treasurer, which was approved after a
second from Mattina.
Husted then agreed to be Molloy’s “first lieutenant” and provide any help he might
need over the coming year.
In turn, Hinman agreed to “get out” one more newsletter. “Members need to know about
what happened here,’’ he said. He urged those present to send him information and news for the publication.
The meeting was adjourned at 3 p.m.
