Former Army Buddies Visit Here
Seven former members of the U.S. Army’s 28th Artillery C-Battery Unit stationed in Bad Kissinger, Germany from 1960-1963 held their annual reunion last weekend at the home of Monticello residents Woodie and Sue Perkins.
Woodie served in the Army before leaving the military in 1962 to purse a plethora of other opportunities. The seven members formed a fast friendship since their 60s military days in Germany and since then have continued to maintain the bond they forged while serving their nation. The Perkins live here and decided that it was their year to host the reunion again, which happened to fall during their 50th wedding anniversary.
The three day event began last Friday and concluded on Sunday. The laid back weekend of reminiscing was not without a few hiccups including one of the ol’ timers heading to the emergency room after a minor slip and fall—don’t worry he made out O.K. and will almost with certainty be recalled as a alaughable moment in the future.
The attendees included (left to right) Woodie Perkins, Alfred Garrett, Jim Hogue, Don Sadler, Donald Rhodes, Herbert Clark and Charlie Gabling. With the exception of Charlie (he is a divorcee), spouses tagged along too including Sue Perkins, Neva Garrett, Ann Hogue, Margie Sadler, Sandy Rhodes, and Edna Clark. The gang took the opportunity to pose with a restored version of a “deuce and a half” which is owned by Phil Heard, a neighbor to the Perkins.
After their military, the men pursued several fields—Alfred a resident of Lebanon, Va. worked for Phillip Morris; Jim of Somerset, Oh. became a corrections officer; Don of Bloomfield, Mo. worked for Arvin Auto Construction; Donald of Dexter, Mo. worked at a service station while studying to become a lawyer; Herbert of Butler, Ky. served in law enforcement for 20 years; and Charlie of Gadsen, Ala. was a milk man.
The fellows are looking to reunite next year in Gatlinburg, Tn. or Branson, Mo.—the jury is out on which city it might be but for now are they recuperating from last weekend together.
