516th Engineer Co. Reunion

Woohoo! Our 2011 Reunion Dates and Locations

2010-11-15T06:23:00.000-08:00

HELLO, To Former Members Of The 516th Engr. Co., Hanau,
Germany:

Our reunion will be held Monday, Sept 26 thru Wed.
Sept. 28, 2011 with departure Thursday Sept 29, 2011.

LOCATION:
THE DUTTON FAMILY THEATER-INN COMPLEX
3454 W. HWY. 76 COUNTRY BLVD.
BRANSON, MO. 6561
(next to Mickey Gilley's Theater)

Dutton Website:
www.theduttoninn.com

Please call and make your reservations by Sept. 1, 2011. When
you call, be sure to tell them you are with the 516th Engr. Co.,
and if you want a smoking or non-smoking room.

The cost of the rooms will be $52.00 plus tax per night. (2 people per room). They will Furnish us a meeting room at no cost.

Tele. No. 1-888-388-8661 or 417-332-2772 Fax No. 417-
334-2314. If you have any problems ask for Pam Hatch she
handled our booking. Check in time 3:00 PM - Check out time
12 Noon. If you wish to make different arrangements let them
know when you call in.

On Monday Sept 26, We will meet briefly at 6:00 PM at meeting room, and go to Dinner.
After the Dinner Meal we meet again to discuss activities for the next two days.

We will have the Reunion listed in the American Legion, V.F.W., and D.A.V. Magazines in one month of March, April,
or May 2011. We will have the Reunion Posted on several
websites such as: www.trea.org - www.gimemories.com
and www.military.com

You can also Google on the Internet
and type in - 516th Engineer Company Reunion - this will give
you the Blog Site with all the info. If anyone knows of any
magazine or website where you can place the reunion ad for
free, Please feel free to place it in magazine or website.
Dress will be Casual, or Jeans.

If you have any questions or info you would like for me to know
Please call or E-Mail Me. Look forward to seeing everyone at
the Reunion. Gene Ogletree - 478-237-7159 or E-Mail:
geneogletree@bellsouth.net

2010 Reunion Dates and Location

2009-11-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

HELLO, To All Former Members Of The 516th Engr Co., Hanau, Germany:

Our reunion will be held Sept. 7 thru 9, 2010.
Arrangements have been made at the OAK TREE LODGE -
Pigeon Forge, Tn. located 20/25 miles southeast of Knoxville,
Tn. on US Hwy 441 S. The Oak Tree will be located on the Right at GSM Signal Light No. 13.1. (Next to Red Lobster)

OAK TREE WEBSITE:
www.theoaktreelodge.com

Please call and make your reservations before August 8, 2010.
When you call, be sure to tell them you are with the 516th Engr.
Co., and if you want a smoking or non-smoking room. The cost of the rooms is $55.00 plus tax per night.

The Tele. No. to make reservations is 865-428-7500.
If you have any problems, ask for Angela Harness she handled all of our booking.

Check-in time 2:00 PM - Check-out time 12 noon.

If you wish to make different arrangements let them know when you call in. We also have the Five Oaks Convention Center Rented. (Located next to the Lodge.)

On Tuesday Sept. 7, 2010 We will meet Briefly at 5:30 P.M. in
the Conv. Center, and go to Dinner.
After Dinner Meal we willmeet back at Conv. Center and plan our activities for the next two days.

We will have the Reunion listed in the American Legion, V.F.W.
and D.A.V. Magazines in one month of March, April, or May 2010. We also will have the Reunion Posted on Several Websites such as: www.trea.org - www.gimemories.com and www.military.com

Dress will be Casual, or Jeans.

If you have any questions or info you would like for me to know.
Please call or E-Mail Me at the number or address below. Look forward to seeing everyone at
the Reunion.

Gene Ogletree - 478-237-7159 or E-Mail:
geneogletree@bellsouth.net

Personal letter reference 516th Engr Panel Bridge Company Reunion 2009

2009-09-29T04:14:00.000-07:00

Here's another letter I just recieved from Jim Bruce, reflecting on this year's great reunion in St. Robert, MO.

For those who missed the 2009 Reunion,you missed a great time. I had the opportunity to meet a few members who were in the unit in other years than when I was there and really enjoyed them and their spouses.

This reunion was a first,because we had in attendance three(3) of our passed Company Commanders; 1st; Capt Raffaele who served 1960-63....2nd; Capt Sharkey who served 1975-77. 3rd; Capt Quensel who served 1978-80. I believe all three went on and served a career in the military, all making LTC rank. LTC Raffaele was one of my commanders and it was great seeing him. I hope that at next years reunion, we will have more officers in attendance.

At this years reunion, for the first time that I know of, we had in attendance our first Black Soldier;;Thomas Badger and his wife Evelyn. Tom was station in the 516th in 1966-68. We had some very find Black Soldiers who served in the 516th and would love seeing more of them at our reunions.

It was great touring Fort Leonard Wood and seeing the change the post has taken over the years. (I was there in 1958 for Inf and Engr training.) It was good to see our troops today are eating good and have the best of housing.

A couple of highlites of the reunion were the slide show by Bryan Kassahn, a former member of the 516th, on his assignment to Iraq, and the presentation of CHRIS Reeder on his time spent as a guard at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. Chris is the son of Don Reeder, also a former member of the 516th who served in 1975-76.

The only problem I heard of was that the women did not have anywhere to shop.

I want to thank SGM Sam Peeler for outstanding work he did in getting this year reunion set up.

If the good Lord’s willing I will see you in Pigeon Forge, Tn. for 2010.
Love all you .
Jim Bruce

More of Jim Bruce Pictures

2009-09-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

2009-09-24T12:26:00.001-07:00

Pictures from Jim Bruce

2009-09-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Personal letter about 516th Panel Bridge Co. Reunion 2009

2009-09-22T10:55:00.000-07:00

Here's the first personal account beyond my own. Its from my dad, 1SGT Bobby C. Graham. Go on and send yours in to me.

What a reunion!!!
I was on an high all the time. With 13 members there that was there during my time as as 1st Sgt.
It was just great seeing them after 30 some years. It was great sitting around hobnobbing with them and catching up on what every one had been doing. I am really looking forward to next years reunion.
Will see y'all in Pigeon Forge.
Thanks for making my day!!
Bob Graham

Even more Pictures

2009-09-20T13:21:00.001-07:00

More Pictures From Reunion

2009-09-20T13:13:00.001-07:00

Reunion 2009

2009-09-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from the Reunion from St. Robert

Reflection on 2009 reunion

2009-09-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

Whew! If you missed this year's reunion, let me tell you, it was really something.

I'll write more later, and heartily encourage anybody who was there to share their personal reflections here, but right now, I'm just giving the highlights.

For the first time that I'm aware of, we had, not just one, not even two, but three different commanding officers present.

We also heard from Bryan Kassahn, a former 516th member, who was part of the initial engineer force to enter Iraq this decade. He had a slide show presenting his perspective of what they encountered, and it isn't always what the press has to show us. He was unable to make it to the reunion, but had sent the slide show on a CD and phoned in to narrate the show. One of my favorite scenes was when he gave a 15-year old Iraqi girl her first pair of shoes ever. Judging by the emotion in his voice, I'm certain this was one of the high points of that tour for him.

And, we also heard a riveting presentation from Chris Reeder, the son of former 516th member Don Reeder, about his time serving as a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I was personally moved by Chris's presentation, as he showed insight to a very private segment of the military whose credo is to honor those who have come before us.

I'm not sure of the exact number of former members of the 516th who were present, but according to Gene Ogletree's lovely wife Linda, this was easily the largest turnout we've ever had. According to some estimates, there were somewhere around 70-80 people attending the catered meal on Thursday night, but this number includes family members.

On a personal note, my dad had his 76th birthday on that Thursday and he has said many times since, that this one was one of the best birthdays he's ever had. I do know that it was definitely the first time he's had a group of 70-80 people, including nearly a dozen from his time with the 516th, singing "Happy Birthday" to him. Additionally, someone commented that Paul Sharkey had also marked a recent birthday, so the group then serenaded him with the same song. I swear that I heard somebody with a loud voice proclaim, "Happy birthday, dear Jaws."

If anybody has any memories from this year's reunion that they want to share here, please email me at
reunion516@yahoo.com
and I'll work to get those posted on the blog as well.

This invitation goes for photos, too. Email them to me, or if you have them uploaded at a photo-sharing site, like Flickr or PhotoBucket, send me the link and we'll get a post here with that on the blog.

Thanks to all of those who came and presented this year for making the reunion the special occasion that it was.

It's almost time, are you coming?

2009-09-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

I'm heading out in the morning, heading to my brother's home to overnight. On Tuesday morning, we'll be heading up to St. Robert for the reunion. I'm excited and looking forward to seeing everybody there.

Travel safely and we'll see you there.

Itinerary set for 2009 reunion

2009-07-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

As of today 7-30-09, this is the way things have been lined-up for the 516th Engr. Co. Reunion Sept 9 thru 12, 09.

Wednesday, 09/09
Travel Day and check in hotels after 3:00 P.M.

About 6:00 P.M. We meet in front of hotels and go up or
across street to Mediterranean Grill for our evening meal.
This will be buffet style, after meal we will have a short
meeting.
Sgt. Major Sam Peeler will brief us on the next
day's activities on Ft. Leonard Wood. Plus we will have short Meeting on any questions that may arise.

Thursday, 09/10
9:00 a.m. we will take in a Graduation.
After Graduation we will go to mess hall and eat with the
class.
After lunch we will tour the Army Museum"s, there are 3 or 4 Museum's.
After this we will return to hotels.

About 7:00 p.m. we will have a catered meal and meeting
at one of the hotels. Probably the Hampton Inn.

Friday, 09/11
We go back on the Fort to the Bridge Training Site, and watch troops train on the bridge.
After this we go to mess hall and eat lunch.
After lunch, we can visit PX and other points that we haven't seen on Fort.

About 7:00 p.m. we will have a catered meal and meeting
at one of the hotels.
We have one man that will speak to us and show pictures of Iraq when he served there in 2003-04.
We have another man who served as a Guard at the Toomb of Unknown Soldier will speak one night. Plus we will have others who will speak about their time in the 516th.

Saturday, 09/12
We will just visit several historical places in the
surrounding area, and this day we will just play it as we see
fit. I am sure someone will come up with something.

It is possible that some minor changes could occur, but nothing that we can't adjust too.

Thanks, Gene Ogletree

Announcing the 2009 516th ENGR. CO. Reunion

2008-11-22T06:43:00.000-08:00

516TH ENGR. CO. REUNION - 2009

THE 2009 REUNION WILL BE HELD SEPT. 9 THRU 12, 2009 AT FT. LEONARD WOOD, MO. IT IS LOCATED ON I-44 BETWEEN ST. LOUIS AND SPRINGFIELD, MO.

WE HAVE MADE RESERVATIONS AT THE COMFORT INN (25 ROOMS) AND THE HAMPTON INN (25 ROOMS) YOUR CHOICE. THESE TWO MOTELS ARE BUILT SIDE BY SIDE IN ST ROBERT, MO. JUST OFF I-44, AND 3 MILES FROM FT. LEONARD WOOD.
THE COST PER ROOM WILL BE $74.00 PLUS TAX PER NIGHT AT BOTH MOTELS. WHEN YOU CALL IN, OR E-MAIL PLEASE TELL THEM YOU ARE WITH THE 516TH ENGR. CO. REUNION. CLOSING DATE TO GET THESE RATES WILL BE JULY 4, 2009.

COMFORT INN - TELE. NO. - 573-336-3553 OR
E-MAIL linda@fortwoodhotels.com

HAMPTON INN - TELE. NO. - 573-336-3355 OR
E-MAIL kelly@fortwoodhotels.com

1. TO GET TO MOTELS EXIT 161 OR 159 GO NORTH ONE BLOCK. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THEM ONCE YOU EXIT I-44.

2. EACH MOTEL HAS A FREE CONT. BREAKFAST. CHECK-IN TIME IS 3:00 PM CHECK OUT IS 11:00 AM.

SEVERAL THINGS HAVE BEEN PLANNED TO DO AT THIS REUNION:

TAKE A TOUR OF THE FORT.
TOUR 3 MUSEUMS ON THE FORT.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE TROOPS TRAINING, AND EAT IN THE MESS HALL.
TAKE IN A TROOP GRADUATION.
TOUR ST. JAMES WINERY.
LADIES - 110 STORE OUTLET MALL AT THE LAKE OF OZARKS.
MEN - BASS PRO SHOP, AND WONDERS OF WILDLIFE MUSEUM.
THERE ARE also ALL KINDS OF HISTORICAL SITES TO SEE.
THEN THERE IS ALWAYS BRANSON, MO.

THEY LIST 70 RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA SUCH AS, CRACKER BARREL, RYAN'S STEAKHOUSE, BBQ, AND PIZZA PLACES ETC.

WE HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE WORKING ON THIS REUNION, AND IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS, OR QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT US.
THE MORE INPUT WE HAVE THE BETTER THE REUNION WILL BE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE REUNION. IF YOU KNOW HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ANYONE, PLEASE PASS THIS INFO. ONTO THEM.

THANK YOU,
GENE OGLETREE
E-MAIL geneogletree@bellsouth.net
TELE. NO. 478-237-7159

Updated: Former members of 516th Engr. Co. we are looking for

2008-03-31T20:21:00.000-07:00

Howdy,

The purpose of today’s post is to list names and information of former members of the 516th Engineer Company that we are trying to locate. The post below will be an on-going list of men we are seeking to contact with news about our reunion group.

We hope that if somebody does a search for the 516th and/or a name they are looking for, they will find our blog. We want to help connect the former members.

To get this done, will need your input to help with the list.

If you know of somebody who served with you and can give a name, rank, dates with the 516th, home town, or other information that will help in finding them, then Email me at
reunion516@yahoo.com
With your information and I’ll add it to this post.

* * * *

Former members of 516th Engr. Co. we are looking for

**James B. (Pat) Patterson
Sp4
Personnel clerk
1962-63-64

Pat was from the St. Louis, Mo. Area, but I am almost sure that he has moved from that area. If anyone knows what state that he lives in now please let me know.

**James O Stanfield
Sp4
Bridgeman and Truckdriver
1962-63-64

From North Georgia Area

**Gary W Armstrong
Sp4
Bridgeman and Truckdriver
1963-64-65

Could be from, Iowa, Minnesota, or Missouri

Military reunion listings on www.trea.org

2008-02-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

The following message was recently shared with our group and I'm posting it here to bring about as much dissemination as we can get.

*******
I have a request that possibly you can help me with; not many veterans are aware of the reunion listings on our website. I'm sure many of your fellow Soldiers have been in other organizations and may wonder if they have a reunion.

Would It be possible to put a note in any website or published newsletters, you may have, telling your fellow Soldiers about the website reunion listings?
We need to get the word out to the veteran community.

The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) is providing the Military Reunion Listings as a FREE service to the veteran community. I search the internet looking for reunions and then send requests for the information to the listed POC. I sent 4,788 reunion organizations e-mails, in calendar years 2006 and 07, requesting information on their reunions, 61.5 % responded with information. We have 2,685 – 2006, and 07 listings in the archives. With the last listing update, we have 723 reunion listings for calendar years 2008, 09, 10, and 2011.

Please take a look at our website,
www.trea.org,
scroll down the left side and click on Reunions/Buddies, and this will bring up the reunion page. As reunions are completed, they are transferred to the Completed Listing at the end of the month. There, they will remain as a reference point for someone looking for a unit contact. My intention is that each calendar year reunions will be individually listed.

I appreciate any help you can provide in getting the word out to the Veterans.

"UNITED WE STAND"

John H Moore, SMSgt, USAF Retired (1961–87)

Reunion Manager (volunteer)

The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA)

2008 Reunion date and location confirmed

2008-01-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, the date and location for the 2008 516th Engineer Company reunion have been confirmed. Here they are:

Date: Sept. 22-24, 2008

Location: The Oak Tree Lodge, 1620 Parkway, Sevierville, TN.
(Sevierville is darn near part of Pigeon Forge. The hotel's web site actually lists its location as Pigeon Forge.)

The group rate for the rooms is $55 plus tax, the same as we had last year. When reserving your room, just let them know you're with the 516th Engineer Company.

The reservation number for The Oak Tree Lodge is 1-800-637-7002.

We have booked our room request with Nancy Kerr. If you wish, you can
email her
directly.

Anybody wishing to do so, can check in on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, after 2:00 pm.

The web site for the hotel is
TheOakTreeLodge.com

Okay, now you know the time and place. We look forward to seeing you there.

2007-11-12T09:08:00.001-08:00

2007-11-12T08:49:00.001-08:00

2007-11-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

2007-11-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

2007-11-12T08:47:00.001-08:00

Reunion 2007 Photos

2007-11-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

Latest news update

2007-11-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

Howdy,

I suppose things are what they are and I’m not going to get any recognition on the major search engines just for this blog. However, I’ve got personal blogs on Blogger and Live Journal that both have links here, and they both appear in searches for people looking for the 516th Engineer Company reunion. There is a link in each of those that will bring people here.

In addition to those, I’ve also registered at military.com and set up a
516th Engineer Company reunion page.
There are two messages I’ve posted there; one has a welcome message and the address for this blog, while the other message has a working link that will bring people here. If anybody has any ideas on what else to post there, please let me know. I figure it will mainly serve as a place for people to find the blog. However, it can do more, so if you have any ideas, let me know.

Also, if you're not familiar with
military.com,
the site has a Buddy Finder on its home page which lets you enter a name and branch of service to look up old buddies. I don't personally know how well that search works, but think it is a good tool if it can help find folks

And, finally, thanks to both Paul Coyne and my mom for expressing interest in posting photos from this year’s reunion here on the blog. As soon as I have the photos, I’ll get them posted. So, stay tuned.

Updated: Roster of 516th soldiers

2007-10-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

The following is a list of the former 516th soldiers who have cleared that their information be presented on this blog. This list will be updated as more former 516th soldiers approve their information.

The information is presented alphabetically and in the following format:
NAME
RANK (when with the 516th)
DATE SERVED (with the 516th)
Additional info (if provided)

Thomas H Collins
Pvt E2 to SPC/4
July 1960 - 1962
Operations Clerk

Paul F. Coyne
pvt e2 to SPC/4
Mar 1959 - Feb 1962
He was in the 1st platoon PB-31 bolt load

Gerald (Gerry) F Decker
E-2 To E-5 Sargeant
May 1960 To Sept 1962
He was in the 2nd platoon

Bobby C. Graham
1SGT
July 1973 – Oct. 1976

Billy Kemp
SGT
Aug. 1961 – Oct. 1961
He was in the 814th in the same Battalion from Apr. 1959 – Aug. 1961, then transferred into the 516th.

Robert Koren
SGT, Squad Leader
1968 - 1970
He was previously in the 814th (1963 – 1967) AS SP/5 Senior Mechanic, left as SSG Motor SGT .

Clifford Madamba
SPC/4-E4
1967-1968

James "Jim" Moltz
SPC/4
1968-1970

George L Montgomery
PVT E-2 to SGT E-5
Nov 1961 - Feb 1966

GENE OGLETREE
PVT E-2 TO SGT E-5 - SUPPLY SGT
APRIL 1961 - NOV. 1963

Ron Pass
Pfc-SPC/4 (2nd Platoon, 1st Squad)
1983-1985
He was also station in the 814th (ribbon bridge) company in Virginia .

Ronnie J. (Joe) Smith
SP4 – SGT
Feb. 1975 – 1977
He began as Operations Clerk with 516th, but in the middle of this tour, he also worked in S3 at HHD 559th Engr. Bn., then returned to 516th to become Asst. Squad Leader and Squad Leader.

XAVIER VILLARREAL
SGT
1986 - 1992

Okay, the blog is all set up

2007-10-03T10:05:00.000-07:00

I've spent some time going over everything on this site to make sure it says everything it needs to. I've got the information posted on here about what the purpose of this blog is about and the "About me" part done so everybody knows who I am. I've even set up the full profile for the blog. Click on the last link on this page and read over it.

I'm not sure if I said it last week, but a blog is just a contraction formed from the words "web log." A web log is basically just a journal that is published on the web. It can serve a great role for sharing information to anybody connected to the web.

I'm also posting a second time so that anybody who is not familiar with how a blog works can see how additional posts are placed when they get added to the page.

If you didn't click on the enclosed link on the first post, which would have brought up an email message, I'll share the email address here with you. You can email me at
reunion516@yahoo.com

I'm sincerely wanting feedback from any of the former 516th members on how this blog appears to you. I'm serving your needs with this, so your opinion is what matters the most. Please either leave your feedback by clicking on the "Comments" link below or email me at the yahoo email address above.

Welcome message

2007-10-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hello and thank you for coming to the blog for the annual reunion of soldiers who have served with the 516th Engineer Company (Panel Bridge) in Hanau, Germany.

We have just concluded our fourth annual reunion in Pigeon Forge, TN, which was held at the Ramada Inn on Music Row. We will hold the 2008 reunion at the same hotel next year. If you were just here, thanks for coming. If you are a former U.S. Army soldier who served with this fine, military company and have not previously joined in the great comraderie and fellowship that we have at these reunions, please make plans to join us next fall. Stay tuned here for more details of the 2008 reunion as the dates are confirmed.

If you have any feedback, comments, or questions, I'd love to hear them. Please either share them by clicking on the comment link below, or if you'd rather, just
Email me!

Also, keep checking here for updates for news and photos from this year’s reunion.

In the coming days, the blog will be updated when I get the profile and setting all in place. I’ll be back soon with more information. Until then, at ease, soldier.