352 entries.
wrote on November 7, 2019 at 6:14 pm:
REF.CUMA BEERS: I asked Bill about flowers or donations. He said Cuma loved all flowers and that would be fine or if you'd like to make a donation then please give to:
The Donald P. Vrabec House of Care
100 North Academy Ave.
Danville, PA 17822
wrote on November 7, 2019 at 1:48 pm:
REF: Cuma Beers funeral; Visitation will be Saturday Nov.16,2019 from 11 a.m.-1 a.m. at C.M.A. Church 50 Hudson Ave,, Lewistown, PA 17044 The funeral service will follow directly after visitation at the church at 1:00 p.m. (A meal is to follow service) Internment will be Monday @10:00 a.m. Remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!
wrote on November 6, 2019 at 7:59 pm:
Cuma Beers- It is with a very heavy heart I have to announce that Cuma Beers (wife of Bill) passed away this evening at 6 p.m. EST. I will post the arrangements as soon as they come to me. Please keep Bill and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Cuma was a wonderful woman and now she is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way
wrote on November 4, 2019 at 11:27 am:
REF. CUMA BEERS- I just got off the phone with Bill Beers. Cuma has had a bad set back with her cancer. They thought she had bed sores on her back but it turns out the cancer has broken through. She is currently under Hospice's care now. Please continue to remember both Bill, Cuma, and their family in your prayers. We all know how much this couple means to each one of us. Remember cards, calls, emails and prayers go along way!
wrote on October 31, 2019 at 4:30 pm:
Please keep the people of California, especially some of our own members who are dealing with several wildfires there, in your thoughts and prayers.
wrote on October 17, 2019 at 9:23 am:
Ref. BILL BEERS- I just got a note from Bill saying that he was on the way home. Let's all wish him a strong and healthy recuperation from his heart surgery. Remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!
wrote on October 16, 2019 at 10:47 am:
Ref. GENE JOHNSON; I spoke with Gene this morning about his condition. His spirits are high and he recently had a Fistula implanted in one of his arms to help with the dialysis. He also has a port in his chest as well. Please continue to keep Gene and his family in your prayers. Remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go along way
wrote on October 14, 2019 at 1:40 pm:
Ref.: Bill Beers- I spoke with Bill today. He said they had him up some last night and started some PT on him today. He said the Dr.'s are looking at Wed. now as a discharge date. He also wanted to tell everyone hello. Remember to keep Cuma and him in your thoughts and prayers. Cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!
wrote on October 13, 2019 at 8:50 am:
REF. BILL BEERS- Bill just sent a message to us through social media to call him. I spoke to him at 0845hrs today (Sunday) He was life flighted to Pinnacle Health Center in Harrisburg, PA. He had triple by-pass surgery yesterday and he is in ICU recuperating hoping to go home Tuesday. "Conway" still hasn't lost his sense of humor but he did want me to pass this on to the membership after we prayed together. Cuma is close by at one of their daughter's homes. Please keep Bill and Cuma in your prayers. Remember cards, calls, emails and prayers go a long way!
wrote on October 1, 2019 at 10:14 am:
I received the book on the history of Fort Sill from Gil today and many thanks to all who signed the book and left your messages inside
wrote on September 21, 2019 at 7:52 pm:
Thanks to Gil and the rest of the board of 2nd17th for a great 2019 reunion. Looking to get a password so I can print off the current roster. Thanks again.
wrote on September 18, 2019 at 1:45 am:
my first time here.memories so long ago but close when eyes shut
wrote on September 7, 2019 at 9:26 pm:
REF. GENE Johnson: Remember to keep Gene and Carol in your prayers. Gene gave me permission to post his note in the Guestbook and to share this information with you.
Gene's note follows:
It is with much regret that I am unable to attend this years reunion. If you recall last year I had to rent a scooter in able to get around. It turns out I have an auto immune disease called IGA Vasculitis. I have spent almost 60 days in the hospital in four visits since last November. Unfortunately one of the side effects of IGA is that it attacks the kidneys. In my case it has shut them down and I have to go to dialysis three times a week. This has curtailed any travel plans I have made. I wish you all well and enjoy this years reunion and if a miracle happens I will see you next year. Gene Johnson"
Please remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way! I can't remember the last reunion Gene and Carol missed but I know from personal experience these are two great people as well as Gene continued to serve his country as a law enforcement officer.
wrote on August 29, 2019 at 9:40 pm:
God, just turned my gut inside out...
1st. Doug RUNICE, my prayers to you and your family, on the passing of your father... You know you have my belated Sympathy....
I now understand where the backbone, and dedication that I saw in you in 1969...
Came from, bless your father, and mother, as they join so many others of the Greatest Generation
...such as my own parants,
And my father who was a
POW .. Shutdown Jan 45...
Too your Father...a Hand Salute...
This Day has been hard since I opend the Guess Book Entry ...this night...
And learnd that the Grim Reaper, and AGENT Orange .... have again taken a chunk of my HEART....
MIKE (TOO TALL) DAGES
A DEDICATED, HARDWORKING, AMMO TOTING COMBAT GUNBUNNY, WHO AT TIMES LEAPED VERY TALL BUILDINGS, WOULD NOT GIVE SLACK, THROUGH 5000 ROUNDS OF CONTINUED FIRE OVER 48 HOURS...
ATE SMOKE CORDITE, AND BLACK POWDER TO
AID IN HOT AND SUPPRESSIVE FIRE IN SUPPORT OF HIS BROTHERS IN THE BOONIES OUTSIDE
ACTION REAR, HARDTIMES, SCHUELLER, DALAT FORWARD, AT LZ SUSAN
NEVER BACKING DOWN..
HE WAS NOT ONLY MY FRIEND, BUT MY BROTHER IN COMBAT ...
AND MY COMBAT BROTHER IN LIFE...
I NOW GO FORWARD WITH A HEAVY HEART AND AGAIN A FEELING OF GUILT...
MIKE HAS GONE ON TO HIS FINAL REST...
NOW I MUST LIVE FOR
MIKES MEMORY....
DAGGES, YOU HAVE TAKEN THAT FINAL MISSION. TO THE GREAT BEYOND...
BUT MIKE, YOU, GEORGIA BOY, BRYANT AND
MAD DOG MADDEN
ARE WALKING POINT
UNTIL WE FALLIN TOGETHER AGAIN ...
PEACE BE WITH YOU, MY
BROTHER...
AND MAY GOD SHINE HIS LIGHT UPON YOU
YOU MIGHT BE GONE BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN..
3 QUADS
3 DEFLECTIONS
7 ROUNDS REPEAT
LUV YA BROTHER
SHEP
wrote on August 22, 2019 at 10:41 am:
To: Mr. Richard A. Smith - Chaplain, Please contact me on Facebook.
I am also trying to contact the unit historian because I have put together a shadow-box display for the Office of the Commander, 17th F.A. According to the lineage, the 5th and 6th Battalions were stationed at Ft. Bragg so I would like the shadow box to go to one of their Battalion Headquarters. The site admins may contact me via my email address.
wrote on August 20, 2019 at 2:27 pm:
Ref. MIKE DAGES- it is with a heavy heart that Mike Dages passed away last night after battling cancer for several months. His funeral is currently scheduled for Friday Aug. 23 (time unknown at present) at St. Peter's Church Montgomery, Indiana. Blake Funeral home in Montgomery is handling the arrangements. Those of us that knew Mike knew that he was a supporter of the 17th and a friend to many including myself. I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to pray with Mike as well as his wife and he knew his Savior.
Please continue to pray for the family during this time and remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!
wrote on August 20, 2019 at 11:11 am:
REF: Doug Runice- We wish to send our prayers to Doug's family. His father, Ray Runice past away Aug. 4th at the age of 94 years old. Doug shared with me his father's awards for being a WW II vet in the European theatre. I think it's appropriate to post this in his memory. "Yes, my Dad passed on Aug 4th at age 94. He had a good long run and it was time for him to be with Mom who he loved so much. If I can share some of his military history, I was always very proud of him. He was a decorated WW2 Vet, served with the 36th Inf Div. in France in 44 and 45. Recipient of the PH, Bronze Star with 2 battle stars, the French Legion of Merit, along with all the other ribbons that he had earned. He saw heavy Infantry combat and his tour ended on Feb 20th, 1945 when a German MG42 took out his left shoulder blade. God bless him. He shall be missed dearly. Hope to see you at the reunion and thanks again Richard. Yours's Doug" Please join me in keeping Doug's family in your thought's and prayers for the family for the loss of a member from "The Greatest Generation." Remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!
wrote on August 13, 2019 at 5:57 am:
Mr. Hathaway,
I'm interested to know where you located these pins at. I live in NC. My unit, A Btry 4th BN 17th FA,was out of Ft. Bragg when I was in 74-78.
Thanks,
Richard A. Smith
wrote on August 12, 2019 at 10:48 am:
I was metal detecting in North Carolina and found some 17th F.A. artifiacts, a Battery A and Battery B enlisted collar discs plus a regimental pin. That led me to do some research on the pin which led me to your history rich site. Thank you.
wrote on August 10, 2019 at 3:46 pm:
Ref. BILL BEERS- I spoke with Bill's wife Cuma today. Her spirits still are high! She said Bill has to have a biopsy done this Wed. on one of his kidneys to check for possible infection or anything else. Please continue to keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. Remember cards,calls, emails and prayers go a long way!