126th Regimental Association April 2020 Newsletter
126th Historical Archives
The Association, through its member donations to our Legacy Fund, has taken on some major projects to preserve the history and honor of our great regiment. We’re going to need YOUR help in providing a donation yet this year to support this work. Our goal is to raise $12,000 in the next few months to support the following projects: Colonel Merle H. Howe Memorial This is our primary focus right now as we work in partnership with Camp Grayling and the Michigan National Guard Retirees Association to honor this great leader on the 75th anniversary of his untimely death. One of the 32nd Division’s most decorated and colorful officers, Colonel Howe was killed in action as he worked with the division’s commanding general to bring the fighting in the Philippines to an end. You can read more detail about his life, leadership, heroism and death online at: http://rebel6.blogspot.com/2019/08/colonel-merle-howeyou-go-there-and.html For many years, we have trained at Camp Grayling and because of that, we’ve traveled down Howe Road countless times, probably without even a thought as to where the name came from. In 1951, the state honored Colonel Howe by renaming what was then known as Upper Lake Road to Howe Road. This year, our Legacy Fund will provide a 36-inch-by-24-inch bronze plaque to be placed at the Memorial Park next to the Chapel that will honor Colonel Howe and keep his memory alive in the years to come. Below is a proof of this plaque which is currently under production:
The total cost of the Howe Memorial project including construction of the base the plaque will set on, is approximately $7,000. As of now we are planning to hold a dedication in June but this may get delayed due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Archival Preservation The rest of our work involves the continuing receipt, sorting, restoration, preservation, cataloguing and digitizing our growing archives housed at the Grand Valley Armory. This is not only a time-consuming project, but carries a price tag for purchasing acid-free, archive-quality storage materials and equipment. We need an additional $3,000 to help us through this year’s work alone. This is another valuable service to ensure the history of the famed 126th Infantry is remembered for many years to come. 126th Infantry Historical Marker This project involves refurbishing our State of Michigan historical marker in front of the Grand Valley Armory, along with completely redoing the landscaping and lighting that surrounds it. The approximate cost of this project is $2,000.
The marker has been in place since 1994 and has taken a beating from the weather and neglect over the past 26 years. It needs to stand strong once again to ensure everyone who passes by takes pride in our rich history and tradition. Please, please do your part and consider a donation to our Legacy Fund. An envelope has been provided for your convenience. If you have questions, please contact Bill Sobotka (address, phone and email is in this newsletter). And thank you in advance!
126th Infantry Regiment Deploys
Once again, the call of duty sees a significant number of 126th Infantry soldiers deploying eventually to Afghanistan in the continuing War on Terrorism. Last month, Kentwood’s AMVETS Post #126 held an event to honor our soldiers as they prepared for departure by March 17, earlier than the original schedule called. The unit is now at Fort Bliss, Texas for mobilization training and processing. The expected departure from there is sometime in June or July.
Ray H. Groendyke Frederick P. Steed Missing members since last mailing: Nelson Koeman Damario Sanders Neal W Beaver Jack Heidtman Bank statement as of 29 February 2020:
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This is the first time since World War II that the 126 Infantry is once again deploying while wearing the famed 32nd “Red Arrow” patch on their shoulder. Three years ago, the 3rd Battalion 126th Infantry became part of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Wisconsin, along with the 2nd Battalion 127th Infantry and the 1st Battalion 128th Infantry (https://dma.wi.gov/DMA/news/2017news/17007). The current deployment of approximately 400 soldiers is a continuation of the Brigade’s commitment to our national security that saw two similar rotations this past year. Anyone wishing to send a note of encouragement to the unit can do so at the following address between now and June: Commander (or soldier’s name) 3-126 INF BN 1011 Chaffee Road Fort Bliss, TX 79916
Fall Business Meeting and Social
Our annual business meeting and dinner are scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Tommy Brann’s restaurant, 4157 South Division in Wyoming. Business meeting convenes at 1700 hours (5:00 pm), social will follow at 1800 hours (6:00 pm), and dinner at 1830 hours (6:30 pm). We’ve had excellent participation the past few years and hope to have the same great turnout this fall. More details including registration information will be mailed out the end of August. Tommy Brann’s is one of West Michigan’s longest running dining traditions owned and operated since its opening in 1972 by Tommy Brann, who always goes out of his way to support our military and veterans. His hospitality is very much appreciated by our association.
Secretary’s & Treasurer’s Report Active members: 388 Missing members: 282 New members since the last mailing: NONE Reported deceased since the last mailing: Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/126thRegiment/
Checking Savings CD CD Total
$ 5,652.45 1,727.24 2,388.80 2,211.81 $11,980.30
Legacy Fund $ 7,019.21 General Fund $ 4,961.09
Legacy Fund
Thank you to the 48 donors who contributed $3,300.00 to the Legacy Fund last year. Special thanks to the ten donors who gave multiple times. Ben J. Landheer (2) Clayton Jackson Anthony S. Palazzolo John Clark COL David Ratajik William Stellin David Cribbs Nancy J. Brown Jerry H Kline COL (Ret) Howard Becker (2) SFC (Ret) Nate Chang (2) Tom Wallace Ruth Wierenga BG (Ret) Warren Lawrence (2) Duane Goltz Gordon Kelley (2) Vernia McCullough (2) Luella Holmes (2) Terrance J Kinney Irene Smestad COL (Ret) Gary Krueger (2) Glenn Dubbink COL (Ret) Chuck Holwerda Howard Goodyke James Luce (2) Ruperto Rodriguez MAJ (Ret) Gerald & Delores Sadowski (2) COL (Ret) Bruce Whitman Larry & Judy Scudder
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Vernon & Chris Kirk Paul Essenburg Oakie & Kristen Cutchall Mick & Yvonne Prowant Jim & Fran Norton Ron Mrozinski Tom & Laurie Gole Tom & Cris Veneklase Lorraine & Chris Daly Richard & Mary Kahnoski Walt Draeger Carolyn Wills Robert Denslow David Irwin Wellington (Bill) & Laurel Miller Judy Turuta COL (Ret) Gary Wainwright John Stengel William Streelman
COL Harry Sobotka Gordon Schoonover John N. Litrenta, Cold War, Germany All deceased members CPT Gerald A. Streelman
Donations in memory of: Arthur Cribbs, WWI Russell V Brown Jr Teresa Kline CWO Ralph Schmidt COL Mel Wierenga SGT Ulchar Robert F Strong Merle W Holmes Carl R Smestad Harold E. Krueger Robert E Lee
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 (please note that this is a change of address from previous newsletters):
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2019-20 Association Officers
President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer Historian Asst. Historian Asst. Historian Sgt-At-Arms Chaplain Immed. Past Pres.
LTC (Ret) David Britten SSG (Ret) Cal Wierda 1SG (Ret) John Johnson 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 MSG Robert Scaia (deployed)
LTC (Ret) Bill Sobotka 99 Skyline Circle NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616) 531-3295 BillSobotka@prodigy.net
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