126th Regimental Association April 2019 Newsletter
3rd Battalion 126th Infantry
Last October 12, the Iron Battalion said goodbye to outgoing commander LTC Ravindra Wagh and welcomed incoming commander LTC Joseph Cannon. LTC Wagh served in the command for over three years going back to October 1, 2019. During that time, LTC Wagh led the Iron Battalion through several rigorous training exercises including Northern Strike ‘17 and ‘18, the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Warfighter exercise ‘17, Hurricane Irma SRP and mobilization ramp-up, Mongodai OPD, and the 32nd IBCT XCTC ’18. LTC Cannon’s recent assignments include serving at Joint Forces Headquarters as a G3 Plans Officer and as the Executive Officer for 1st Battalion 125th Infantry. He has multiple combat deployments, including as Commander for A Company 1st Battalion 125th Infantry from 2011-2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. As a DA Civilian, LTC Cannon is the Deputy Product Manager, Vehicle Protection Systems at the Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) in Warren, Michigan. LTC Cannon also serves as the Vice Chairman of the NATO Land Capability Group Land Engagement, and the Chair for the TTCP Land Group Technical Panel for Manned and Unmanned Ground Systems. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. In addition to the change in Battalion leadership, B Company also had a change of Command. On 3 March 2019, CPT Aime Kemppainen took command of B Company from CPT Andrew Turner. CPT Turner had served as B Company Commander since 7 March 2016 and led the company through a difficult transition period as the Battalion reorganized from Cavalry to Infantry. CPT Aime Kemppainen has previously served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in B Company, and is the first female Infantry Commander in the Army National Guard. The Iron Battalion received a Notification of Sourcing for deployment in April 2020 and is looking forward to a strenuous and busy training year leading into the mobilization. In the next few months the Battalion will conduct individual, crew-served, and secondary weapons qualifications, and mounted gunnery at Camp Grayling. Training this year will culminate during Annual Training in August at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center with the Battalion conducting multiple live-fire exercises integrating all deploying soldiers.
Fall Social
Plan to meet at Tommy Brann’s Restaurant, 4157 S. Division (between 36th and 44th Streets) in Wyoming on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 1800 hours. We began this new tradition two years ago and have had great turnouts. Tommy Brann is one of West Michigan’s longest running dining traditions run by an individual who goes out of his way to support our military and veterans. Details on the business meeting and registration will be provided with the August newsletter.
100 Years Ago
(Note: We published a daily update on the activities of the 126th Infantry Regiment and its parent 32nd Division during World War I on our association Facebook page from January through December 2018. You can browse the posts at https://www.facebook.com/126thRegiment/) April 1919 – Early (that month), the regiment received word to prepare for early departure from the Army of Occupation area to a seaport for transportation across the Atlantic to “God’s Country.” Everyone was in high spirits at this news, and the necessary preparation for departure was begun at once. Finally, the entraining orders were received, which provided that the auxiliary troops and the 1st and 3rd Battalions shall entrain at Bendorf, and the 2nd Battalion at Neuwied, and that all troops would leave their area on April 19th, and proceed to their entraining points. On April 19th,…the Regiment began the first stage of a long and last journey which was to mark the finish of this war for our men. The regiment moved in three trains (and) it was a long journey requiring about three days. Arriving at Brest, the troops unloaded and marched to the great American camp, Camp Pontenezen. In the morning of April 28th, 1st and 2nd Battalions along with the auxiliary units marched to the docks and went on board the Francis J. Luckenback, a small merchant freighter. The 3rd Battalion along with a number of attached officers were left behind due to lack of accomodations. The Luckenback reached Boston port on May 14, where the troops on that ship immediately entrained for Camp Devens. The 3rd Battalion was split up with Companies I and L embarking on a transport and sailing for New York, where they arrived on May 20th. Companies K and M left Brest on
May 9th embarking on the English ship Valacia, arriving in New York on May 22nd. All four companies entrained for Camp Mills. On May 18th, the Camp Deven troops entrained for Detroit, where a big reception was tendered to them and the troops paraded through the streets of the city. From Detroit these troops went to Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, where they also paraded and were entertained, and then went on to Camp Custer where they mustered out of service on May 22nd. On May 26th, Companies I and L departed Camp Mills and travelled by way of Grand Rapids, where they paraded and a reception was tendered them, arriving at Camp Custer on May 27th, mustering out of service the following day. Companies K and M left Camp Mills on May 28th and went direct to Camp Custer, arriving May 29th and mustering of out of service the following day. The remainder of the men in the regiment were sent to 19 different demobilization camps, located from New York State to the State of Washington, and from Ohio to Arkansas, where each were honorable discharged. Thus ended the service of the 126th Infantry in the greatest war of all time, with a record of achievements second to none and to which every member can always, in later years, point with pride. Taken from Captain Emil B. Gansser, History of The 126th Infantry in The War with Germany. Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1920
Secretary’s & Treasurer’s Report
CSM (Ret) John Shipley again donated the postage for the mailing. The cost is around $200. Active members: 401 Missing members: 273 No new members since the last mailing. Reported deceased since the last mailing: Raymond R. Small Francis H. Rieckman Oscar H. Paulsen Robert G. Hellem Harold R. Plaisier Missing members since last mailing: Rubin Stout William P. Lawrence Scott S. Touzel Bank statement as of 28 February 2019: Checking $ 3,601.52 Savings 1,306.95 CD 2,375.47 CD 2,193.09 Total $ 9,477.03 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/126thRegiment/
Legacy Fund $ 4,606.64 General Fund $ 4,870.39 Note: A complete annual treasurer’s report will be provided at the Fall Social.
Legacy Fund
Thank you to the 43 donors who contributed $2,690 to the Legacy Fund this past year. A special thanks to the 9 donors who contributed multiple times. Michael Haan BG Warren Lawrence COL (Ret) Gary Wainwright Ben J. Landheer (2) Ruth Wierenga Glenn Dubbink Harold Plaisier (2) Nate Chang (2) COL (Ret) Gary L. Krueger (2) Robert O'Donnell SFC (Ret) Clare Ehlert James Crump Irene Smestad COL (Ret) Chuck Holwerda MAJ (Ret) Gerald & Delores Sadowski (2) Nancy J. Brown 1SG (Ret) Gordon Kelley (2) Clayton Jackson (2) Luella Holmes (2) Walt Draeger (2) Tom Wallace (2) COL (Ret) Howard Becker (2) BG Gary Tellier Ray & Rhea Pruett COL David Ratajik (2) Elaine Buys COL (Ret) Bruce Whitman Paul Essenburg John Stengel Robert Denslow Ruperto Rodriguez Ken Farmer Vernia McCullough John Voreis Howard Goodyke MAJ (Ret) Will Neibor Charles R. Nagtzaam Wanda Paulsen William Streelman
Donations in memory of: Frank Gerke COL Mel Wierenga Raymond Plaisier Harold E. Krueger
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HHC 3/126 Commo Plt Carl Smestad Russell V. Brown Jr Merle W Holmes Supportive Military Spouses Russell G. Buys Rick Oakes CWO Ralph Schmidt John McCain Kenneth G. Plaisier Robert Strong Oscar Paulson CPT Gerald A. Streelman
The Custer Guard
Following the Civil War, there had only been one militia company in Grand Rapids – the Grand Rapids Guard, also known as Company B, Second Regiment. On February 22, 1882, the Custer Guard was organized and later that year mustered into state service as Company I, Second Regiment with Captain Charles H. Rose commanding. For several years, the Custer Guard was known as one of the best-drilled companies in the state, taking first prize at Muskegon and third at the state fair in Jackson in 1886. The next year, it took the state championship but not before it was invited to participate in a drill competition in Washington, DC in May of 1887. The armory of the Custer Guard was located on the west side of the Grand River along Front Street just north of Bridge Street. It remained there until the companies in Grand Rapids consolidated as the Grand Rapids Battalion with an armory in the Clark Building on southwest Ionia Street (sitting across from the VanAndel Arena where the building still stands today).
A couple other items that illustrate the importance of the social functions of the militia company are included below. These also come from the Schouten file.
In those days, militia companies had a military and civilian organization. The latter was intended to raise money to support the company and rent or build an armory. Very little money was provided by the state. Honorary memberships were given to prominent citizens and businessmen in the community to help with this effort. The letter below is from the General John Schouten file in the Grand Rapids Public Library Local History Room archives. It was addressed to a member of the Herpolsheimer family of department store fame.
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2018-19 Association Officers
President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer Historian Asst. Historian Asst. Historian Sgt-At-Arms Chaplin Immed. Past Pres.
The civilian organization was an official corporation licensed by the State of Michigan to conduct business. As such, constitution and set of by-laws were prepared and approved. In addition, an annual written report was required to be published and distributed to the members and any others from the community with a financial interest in the militia company. Here’s a copy of the annual report for the year 1888 from the Schouten file:
MSG Robert Scaia LTC (Ret) David Britten OPEN 1SG (Ret) James Norton LTC (Ret) Bill Sobotka CW4 (Ret) Darle VanderSchuur SSG Kyle Herring SFC (Ret) Earl Jenkins Ray Hintz SFC (Ret) Bill Witte CPT Catalin Bugan
The 126th Regimental Association newsletter is published twice yearly and mailed or emailed to all active association members. Inquiries regarding the association and this newsletter should be made to: LTC (Ret) Bill Sobotka 2820 Longstreet SW Wyoming, MI 49509 (616) 531-3295 BillSobotka@prodigy.net
MINUTES OF THE 126TH REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING 6 October 2018 The meeting held at the Grand Valley Armory, Wyoming, MI was called to order by the President, CPT Catalin Bugan at 1602 hours. Board Members Present: CPT Bugan, Jim Norton, Bill Sobotka and Bill Witte. Board Members Absent: MSG Robert Scaia, Darle VanderSchuur and SSG Travis Dykstra Others Present: Dave Britten, Phil Owens and Gary Krueger. Bugan led members in the Pledge of Allegiance and Witte offered the invocation. Secretary’s report for the 10-Aug-17 annual meeting and board meetings from 23-Jan-18, 26-Jun-18 and 28-Aug-18 presented by Norton in a handout. Motion to approve as written by Britten, second by Sobotka and the motion carried. Treasurer’s annual report for 1-May-17 through 30-Apr18 and a report as of 30-Sep-18 presented by Sobotka in a handout. Motion to approve as presented by Bugan, second by Witte and the motion carried.
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Unfinished Business: 1. Legacy Fund. We have received approximately $1200 in donations this year. 2. 126th Artifacts and Room. We’ve got a good start on organizing the room and will continue working to complete the task. An open question is how long the room will be available for us to use. Bugan will check with the Grand Rapids Public Museum about the possibility of displaying items. 3. Items for sale: We have funded a number of the items and need an accounting so we can justify our donations. SFC Jim Dentler has been reassigned and nobody has been identified to take over his role in developing and selling regimental items.
have to accomplish all tasks by himself, we need additional people to step up and assist. What about the possibility of creating an archives committee to take the lead with all actions related to the archives? 4. Association Name. Britten made a motion to change the name of the Association to the 126th Infantry Association and it was seconded by Bugan. Sobotka discussed the actions needed to change our legal documents and bank accounts. Britten withdrew the motion. Elections. Nominations were opened. Britten was nominated for 1st Vice President and he accepted. Norton and Sobotka accepted nominations for Secretary and Treasurer respectively. There were no nominations for 2nd Vice President or Sergeant-At-Arms.
4. 126 Association Awards Program. Bugan has a copy of the latest version of the program and will send it to Sobotka. Additional work is needed.
Britten, Norton and Sobotka were elected by voice vote.
5. Classroom Naming. John Shipley provided signs and they have been hung.
The meeting was recessed at 1720 hours and will be reconvened at Tommy Brann’s prior to the social in an attempt to garner nominees for the 2nd Vice President and Sergeant-At-Arms.
6. Camp Grayling Officer Club Display. Sobotka has been trying to get in touch with BG (Ret) Lawrence to get a status update. BG(Ret) Lawrence brought up the possibility of creating a display honoring COL Merle Howe at the Officer’s Club. The intent is to educate people on the history represented by naming the road Howe Road. We have earmarked up to $1,000 to help fund the display. New Business:
Good of the Order: 1. BG(Ret) Phil Owens was recognized.
1. Annual Meeting 2019. We are still looking at conducting the meeting on the first Saturday in October (5-Oct-19). To increase attendance at the meeting maybe we should hold in conjunction with the social because conducting the events in split locations reduces attendance at the meeting. 2. Fall Social. We will conduct the event in conjunction with the annual meeting. We will work with Brann’s to see if we can also conduct the meeting at their location. Another option is to use the Third Michigan NCO Club for both events. We had a good turnout when we had the dining-in at the armory. Meeting attendance has always been sparse, but it is better if the commander attends. Bugan will check with LTC Wagh to discuss with the incoming commander. 3. Participation/Assistance.
The meeting was brought out of recess at 1835 hours and nominations for 2nd Vice President and Sergeant-AtArms were opened. Ray Hintz was nominated for Sergeant-At-Arms and he accepted. He was elected by voice vote. Nobody accepted nomination for 2nd Vice President and the position remained open.
Sobotka
shouldn’t
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2. Norton informed those in attendance that an NCO Call will be conducted at the Third Michigan NCO Club on Saturday 10-Nov-18. All are welcome to attend, membership status or rank does not matter. The intent of the event is to get people together to renew old friendships and reminisce about the ‘old’ days. With no additional business to conduct Frank Miller made a motion to adjourn with a second by VanderSchuur and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned by the 1st Vice President at 1845 hours. The next meeting will be conducted at the Grand Valley Armory on a date to be determined in January 2019. Respectfully submitted, Jim Norton Secretary
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