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Static Line - Three Winds of Death

June 1991
The French call it "Potpourri" and my Italian wife and I call it "Misha-mosha " No matter what you call it, the translation is still a mixture of thisa and thata. Our definition of "Misha-mosha" is applied to an Italian dish she serves consisting of pasta and broccoli. (George Bush probably wouldn't like it) — but. on the other hand, one might not know because he probably hasn't lasted it. And I tell you, my wife can put together some very tasty dishes. Anyhow, for June's "thisa and thata."
 
A couple of letters will start it off. Hooray! I received some news Items! The first letter is as follows: Dear John, Just a short note to let you know our dinner went well. The Northeast Chapter held its Corregidor Dinner at Stouffer Valley forge Hotel, Penna. on March 9, 1991. It was hosted by Ken & Emmy LyIe. We had 81 in attendance. First-timers were Lloyd and Doris LaRue and Charles and Mabel Emory. Our dance music was provided by "Knuckles O'Brien." Sincerely yours. Ken LyIe. A post script adds, "Sorry we are going to miss Raleigh. Sure won't be the same without Leroy." 

The second letter, from Clark Webb, is as follows: "Dear John, The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the 503rd held their 26th annual Corregidor Dinner in Raleigh, North Carolina on March 15th and 16lh. There was 61 present. The following officers were elected for 1991-92: Jesse Gandee, President; Ralph Casio, Vice President; Harold Link. Secretary/Treasurer; Johnny Webb, Sergeant-at-Arms; Ed Kegley, Chaplain; Carl Ballard, National Director. Enjoy your column in the Static Line. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Clark." 

And speaking of reunions, by the time you get a chance to read this column the 35th annual reunion of the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team Association, World War II will have passed into the pages of history. Hopefully, there were a lot of you in attendance and for those of you who were there, I am sure that you had a really great time. How could you not have a great time with six hospitality suites in the Wyndham Paradise Valley Resort at your beck and call? You will have to wait a couple of months before reading anything in this column about the 35th annual reunion because the column I put together in June will not appear in the Static Line until August. 

I can tell you, though, that as most of you are back at home after our reunion, it is slightly different with me My wife, Mary, and I are in the midst of a 5 week's trip. The first week took in Las Vegas (for three days) and our reunion in Phoenix. The second week we will be in Hawaii We haven't been there since 1969. The third week will find us "Down-under" in Australia. Some of you probably remember Australia! Unfortunately, our itinerary will restrict our activities to the Brisbane/Sydney area, and we will not get a chance to travel north to the old stomping grounds of the 503rd. Our week in Australia will be lied in with the international convention of Lions International, an organization of which I am also a member. By now most of you should have read this column, and if you think of us, picture us in New Zealand because that is where we will be on the fourth week of our little safari The fifth and final week will be a return to the islands of Hawaii before proceeding home. We will be in Hawaii on the 4th of July and are already wondering what kind of a celebration they will put forth to officially honor the return of our military forces from the Persian Gulf. Desert Storm was a hurricane, typhoon, and tornado all wrapped up into one. 

There is another item that I just have to get in this month's column. It is an update (as of 15 April) on the situation with Charlie Rambo. Many of you may not be aware that he was stricken with a not-too-common malady called Guillain-Barre Syndrome. And that little gem is something that is not very nice and that you cannot play around with. People afflicted with this syndrome develop bad antibodies which attack the nervous system, and you can be rendered helpless (or dead) in only a few days. Most of the time-varying degrees of paralysis sets in. The nasty little bugs grab you when your body is in a weakened condition, and the rate of victims is 15 in 1 million. The bugs hit Charlie after a bout of bronchitis. One day he was feeling bad, and two days later he couldn't walk. He has flown to the Washington Hospital Center and for a while, it looked like a streamer. I just talked to Charlie, who is currently at a Washington rehabilitation center. He informed me that he is now walking with help and expects to go home on 8 May. He will probably be in a wheelchair for about a month and that will be followed by lots and lots of therapy using a walker. Give him a call at home because I know he will be glad to hear from you. Airborne is a way of life, and WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! 

John D. Reynolds 
Co. "D" 503rd PRCT 
718 Towne Center Dr. 
Joppa, Md. 21085
Static Line - Three Winds of Death

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503rd PRCT Paratrooper Database, WWII

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