H-POW-WRegehr-5ABU

Extracted from Christmas Letter from Walter Regehr 5137 Elbert Way, Sacramento, CA 95842

From the diary of Chuck Bruce ‑ Davao Penal Colony:

Dec. 25, 1943: Last night Sandy'a Band put on a 2 1/2 hour show. The stage was decorated very nicely by Lt. Scott Gordon. The boys put in a lot of work on the program and really showed it. Lt. Saboto, the assistant camp prison officer sang a Japanese solo. The arrangements and Christmas carols were very good.

NOTE: Lt. Saunders and Major Pritchard formed a singing group called the Mindanao Melodiers who performed at every event. Other skits were put on by Biggs, Kreig, Yeager and others. Some of the guys had been vaudeville performers and some of the presentations were a bit crude, but entertaining never the less.

Lt. Ssabota had furnished nine musical instruments and told the POWs to start a band and to have it ready to play by 9:00 am the next morning. Lt. Saunders complained that nine pieces were too many to learn in such a short time. Lt. Sabato's answer: "Get some one to help."

FIFTH AIR BASE GROUP ASSN. REUNION ROGUE RIVER INN

MEDFORD OREGON SEPTEMBER 6 thru 9, 1995

ATTENDEES

Riley Alexander

Irene & Hayes Boilitho

Bob & Martha Dowding

Buss & Beth Cline

Charles & Eloise Goodliffe

Jim & Mrs. Greene

Ike & Janet Hagins

Lyle G. Knudson

Bob & Betty Kirker

Ken & June Larsen

Bill & Frieda Lorton

Bill & Marguerite Lowe

Ernie & Melba Lynch

Rod McKay

Ted & Lucille Pflueger

Carl & Fay Nordin

Ray & Elaine Richardson

John C. Playter

Murray & Mrs. Sneddon

Dwight & Susan Shaw

Don & Donna Vance

Brute & May Belle West

Ralf & Jan Wilson

Yosh & Mrs. Yamada

Helen Golino

Oscar & Mary Leonard

Reunion Hosts: Bill & Frieda Lorton

BUSINESS MEETING

It was proposed, seconded and carried that the Association donate $500.00 from the treasury to the Anderson Ville National Historic Site to be used for the National POW Museum. (See letter of acknowledgement printed elsewhere.)

It was proposed seconded and carried that $165.00 be donated from the treasury to the Medford V.A. Domiciliary Facility for a bench and plaque for the Peace Garden. (Money sent, but no acknowledgement as of 19 Dec 95).

Bill Lowe offered to host the 1997 reunion in Newport Beach, Ca. If he cannot work out the details the fall "back position will be for Regehr and Heimbuch to host it in Sacramento.

Buss Cline, Acting Secretary

The association bank balance as of Nov. 30, 1995 is $1007.63.

In October 1994, President Clinton signed legislation designating December 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Accordingly on that day United States flags should be flown at half staff.