Hi Guys,
Look who came out of the woodwork. If I can get this equiptment to operate, I want to share the following experience with you.
You fellows may or may not know-or care-that I took Boots and Radio School at Sampson NTS, at Romulus, NY. We have an orginized group of about 4,000 members. Evelyn and I are active members since 1989. We (the orginization) have set up, with the state of New York, who ownes the ground known as Sampson State Park. We were given permission with the Air Force, who occupied the grounds in 1951-52 to convert the original brig building into a museum. This is complete and open to the public. We recently completed and dedecated our new Wall of Honor. Of the 411,000 plus men and women who went through the station in 1942-45, 1520 were killed in action. This is where it gets sticky.
Of those 1500 plus men, the names of Clifford Kauffman, Joseph Kapinos, and Bill Varhalla appear. (Get my point?) I had been in touch with Bill Varhalla's sister, by letter and by phone. I invited her and the rest of Bill's family to the dedication but they could not attend. Then when getting ready to tape the ceremony, a man tapped me on the shoulder. It turned out that he is Ronald Kauffman, a nephew of Cliff. He was 9 years old when Cliff was killed and is the last of that generation. The monuments were set in place and the dedication ceremony was held during our 13th reunion at 10.00 AM on September 14, 200. Ron Kauffman , as did the other survivors present, placed a wreath in memory of the deceased relatives and our shipmates. Believe me, as I was taping, it was hard containing the emotions. I lost it, but not so it was noticable on tape. Joe Kapinos our 3rd shipmate on the tables enlisted in Rome, NY. If any of you fellows from that area, can locate any family member, let me know I'd like to get in touch with them.
In closing, If any of you fellows ever get in the vicinity of Sampson State Park, feel free to stop in to see our Wall of Honor. Our Museum is open Wednesday thru Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Then on weekends until Oct. 10 and admission is free. Feel free to stop in and tell them Ted Hoch sent you.
Thanks for your time
Ted Hoch
Return to the USS Macomb
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