The AGOM reunion this year was unique not only because it was held in the Washington DC area but also because of the persons attending. This year, for the first time in several years, we were pleased to have Past President and long-time Treasurer Ben Farrens with us. Ben was accompanied by his son David and daughter Rebecca, who brought her son; three generations of the Farrens family represented. Another special new member of the AGOM Descendants Group in attendance was Doc Evans’ daughter, Alison Evans Fragale, who had attended our South Carolina reunion in the early 70’s. Catherine Holmes, daughter of Ginger and Kent Holmes and granddaughter of Charles Hansen, attended the AGOM meeting and the banquet. Ruth Stahl and her daughter Debby (accompanied by husband Joe Erlanger) also attended. Ruth’s son Robert, Jr., joined us for the ADBC Banquet. Other special guests included Mary Maynard and her husband Howard and Susan Fertig-Dykes, daughter of Claude Fertig, guerrilla leader on Panay. Familiar faces from the past included Gerry and Kay Chapman, Luke and Fran Campeau, Kent and Ginger Holmes, and Louis Jurika. We regret to report that Past President Bruce Elliot, who last attended the Cincinnati reunion, is in a convalescent home recovering from an operation on his leg. Bruce has always been a big help as a hospitality host.
The annual AGOM meeting was held on Sunday morning after the ADBC Descendants Breakfast that included the AGOM Descendants Group as well. Louis Jurika, President of the AGOM Descendants Group, announced that he would not serve beyond his initial term and turned over the presidency of the AGOM Descendants Group to Ginger Hansen Holmes, outgoing Vice President.
A letter from Erling Jonassen about abandoning AGOM as an organization was read. A motion was made and passed not to abandon AGOM.
A motion was made by Luke Campeau, seconded by Gerry Chapman, and passed, including the vote of Ben Farrens, outgoing AGOM Secretary/Treasurer, that the AGOM treasury of $1540 (figure provided by Ben Farrens) would be turned over to Ginger Holmes as President and Acting Treasurer of the AGOM Descendants Group as soon as possible..
We all thought that the ADBC convention in the Washington DC area was a very enjoyable event, despite the 40-60 mph Nor’easter for four days all the way from the Carolinas to Maine. Luckily, it let up enough for our trip to the WWll Memorial, which was magnificent.
Luke Campeau’s two oldest daughters, Lyn and Sheila, with their creative ingenuity, made a centerpiece for the AGOM banquet table – a banana tree 18″ high with seven gorillas hanging in the branches eating bananas, which was a masterpiece. (The number seven was to designate the seven Campeau children.)
Luke and Fran Campeau had the good fortune to be the guests of James Zobel, Archivist of the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, for two days following the ADBC convention. Jim had come up to attend the ADBC banquet. About ten years ago the City of Norfolk made a large investment in the center of town and named it the MacArthur Center. There is a huge new mall, the city is clean, green, prosperous and impressive. The MacArthur Memorial’s four buildings are on the opposite side of the street from the mall and include a theater and the historic Memorial building with the General and his wife in the rotunda that was beautifully done. There are two floors of historical artifacts, which would take hours to properly see. There is also a gift shop. The archives building, which Jim Zobel manages, contains tons of historical data including AGOM material, all catalogued and organized for easy location. Much is in vaults so the materials are in excellent hands for preservation. Luke Campeau had the 15th Weather Squadron history, etc., sent there for preservation. If any AGOMERs have the type of information that should be preserved for history, contact Jim Zobel at the Douglas MacArthur Memorial, Archives and Library, MacArthur Square, Norfolk VA 23510, telephone (757) 441-2965, E-mail: macmem@norfolk.infi.net.
It is with regret and sadness that we report the passing of John Tuggle on March 21 and Clyde Childress on August 10. John loved to dance – it was always a pleasure watching him twirl around the dance floor during evening social gatherings at the conventions. And we were very glad that Clyde and Dee were able to join us at the convention in Phoenix last year. Clyde was an enthusiastic·participant in the AGOM annual meeting.
A letter from Erling Jonassen about abandoning AGOM as an organization was read. A motion was made and passed not to abandon AGOM.
The next ADBC convention will be held in Louisville, KY at the Downtown Holiday Inn from May 5 through May 10, 2008. The American Guerrillas of Mindanao and the AGOM Descendants Group plan to hold the 2008 reunion and annual meeting during the convention.
And now a few words from Ginger Hansen Holmes, incoming President of the AGOM Descendants Group. . .
lt is an honor and a pleasure to serve this fledgling organization. My association with AGOM started with the 1998 annual reunion held in Reno. My purpose in attending that gathering was to seek out members who might have known my father, Captain Charles Hansen, during his service as the Procurement Officer for the 110th Division, 10th Military District from early 1943 through early 1945. T om Baxter described my Dad as a “maverick” with a forceful personality whose procurement responsibilities kept him on the road and away from HQ. The following year, in Eugene, I met Bob Spielman, who also served in the 110th Division (114th Infantry Regiment). Bob’s wife Lucy remembered me as a little girl in 1943 during our stay in Claver, on the east coast of Mindanao. And just last year I met Clyde Childress, whose name appeared many times in my father’s wartime records. Dad worked closely with Clyde and Ernest McClish, Commanding Officer of the 110th Division.
My husband Kent and l have attended 10 AGOM reunions and have been privileged to learn about the fascinating World War II experiences of many members of the American Guerrillas of Mindanao – Gerry Chapman, Luke Campeau, Bruce Elliott, Ben Farrens, “Doc” Johnson, Johnny Starkey, Bob Stahl, Jimmy Schoen and Loyd Waters, to name a few. Several weeks ago Kent and I had a delightful luncheon visit with Jack Hawkins, who lives about an hour’s drive from us. He autographed our copy of his book, Never Say Die.
The goal of the AGOM Descendants Group is to centralize historical and personal information about the American Guerrillas of Mindanao and make that information easily accessible to AGOM members and their families and friends. Mark Chapman, son of Gerry Chapman, has kindly agreed to set up a website dedicated to AGOM matters. Alison Evans-Fragale has volunteered to assist Mark in this effort. The website is under construction, but soon we will be able to log on to AmericanGuerrillasofMindanao.org or simply TheAGOM.org, and obtain information regarding the service and experiences of AGOMERS during World War II. There will also be links to related topics. Of course, the success of this project will depend on YOU. Many of you have historical records and anecdotal information that would be of interest to our extended group. Wouldn’t it be great for AGOM descendants, friends and history buffs to simply log on to our website and learn about the American Guerrillas of Mindanao? Each member of the group has a unique and interesting story of his experiences during that important period in our history. Send material that you would like posted on our website to Mark Chapman, 2490 Valley Road, Navarre FL 32566 (e-mail mdc@mdchapman.com). Mark will return original documents after scanning or you can send photocopies.
Ginger Hansen Holmes
120 S. Cherry St.
Falls Church VA 22046
E-Mail: kvholmes@cox.net