To My Friends & Classmates

An interesting guest on a TV show brought me to a website he created. With all the

tracking that social media (i.e. Facebook) is doing on our cell phones and computers, we
must have a way to opt out. The following Site tells you 6 Must-Change Settings to
Facebook that have an effect on our cell phones (apps) and our desktops.
His name is Kurt Knutsson and he gives instruction on how to disable tracking on us via
Facebook.
http://cyberguy.com
I thought this might be of interest to HixNews Readers as I and so many others have
Apps on our phones and junk on our desktops.
Linda Piccerelli Hayden 1960

Around Hicksville
I guess that I’m a “lurker” – I stop by HixNews almost every month without comment,
only writing when I have something to say.
The editors do quite a good job. Having held positions in several volunteer organizations
myself, I can imagine how tricky things must be for them, relying upon volunteers, and
the readership itself, to supply the material which gets published in the Newsletter.
What do I like and dislike about it?
I’m already in touch with my close friends from Hicksville, but I read the Newsletter
anyway, primarily to learn what others – folks I used to know, and even some I didn’t –
are doing these days. People can be wonderfully surprising – back in school, we were
like seedlings in a nursery, and now the Newsletter gives me a glimpse of the rather
venerable trees we’ve all become, scattered all over the world. I think that’s what I like
the best. Also, there often are old photographs and histories of Hicksville, which I
always appreciate.
Although I do like history, I really don’t like nostalgia for its own sake. Just because I’m
in my 70’s now doesn’t mean that I look only in my rear-view mirror; I prefer to look
ahead through the windshield. I do not want to be young again (I earned my grey hair
one follicle at a time, and I’m proud of that), nor do I want to reject the 21 st century out of
hand.
It would be wonderful if you could get from your readers more content about what people
have chosen to do with their retirement years. I agree that vacations are interesting, but I
suppose that some people are too modest to talk about their travels. Well, what about the
things that they do every day? OK, the other stuff, not grocery shopping. J I’m sure that,
like mine, other people’s hobbies and interests have evolved over the years. I find that
I’m always working on new projects – right now, for example, I’m preparing for a new
lecture I’ll be giving, about fitting together one’s DNA test results with the results of
traditional genealogical research.
There must be many more people out there for whom reminiscing is only an occasional
pursuit, people who find more challenging things worthwhile. I’d like to hear more about
them. All the best.
Ron Wencer 1964 living in Toronto

Ron
I cannot thank you enough for finally being instrumental in delving a bit into your past.
Your feedback is very welcome and as much as we encourage result from the masses, the
feedback is sparse. Us old timers have grown children and of course we are involved with
grandkids. Most of us Google over the grandkids then hand them back to our kids. There
should be plenty of free time but no one sends info to the newsletter. I've been using
Facebook stuff to fatten up the newsletter. So much is posted, I've asked those posting to
send a copy to me but no one does.
Again thanks. When you can, write a bio sketch of your life and I can use it in the
monthly profile. Do you see the profile notice on the home page??? I'm sure many don't.
Regards buffalo bob

Dear Bob…Thank you for the reply and the encouragement to write. I went back and
looked at my bio on HixNews and it’s pretty skeletal compared to what some others have
written. I’ll remedy that deficiency more fully at a later point, but for purposes of this
email, I’ll speak about my family, whom I’ve not mentioned previously. Here goes….
My wife Janet met as undergraduates at Queens College; we’ve been married since
1970. Here she is on a crisp morning in Turkey, a little over a year ago, climbing the
ruins of the ancient theatre at Miletus.
Janet retired several years ago from a career that spanned two of Toronto’s large
downtown hospitals. She primarily worked as a library technician and an information
specialist, and she also organized one of the hospital’s archives. Like me, she believes in
always continuing her education – Janet’s career was possible only because she was
willing to undertake new studies, once our youngest was in school and would not need
day care.
We’re alike in many other respects, too (e.g., Janet shares my fascination with
genealogical research). Notably, we both had little difficulty deciding to move to
Toronto when we did – New York City felt almost unliveable in those years, and neither
of us wanted to live in suburbia and be tied to automobiles. We chose Toronto because
we could make a good life here, and be pretty much car-free while we did (in fact, we
haven’t even owned a car for about 10 years now).
Each year, Janet plants vegetable gardens in our tiny urban back yard. Here I am (at the
time, I was growing my hair long in hopes of donating it for cancer wigs), trying to
separate some of her over-enthusiastic cherry tomato plants.

Our front yard is primarily kept as a butterfly garden – lots of milkweed to attract
Monarchs and nurture their caterpillars. Some Monarchs migrate up the East Coast to
Ontario; others go north to Michigan and then turn east, eventually encountering the first
group. Last year we hosted at least 4 newborn Monarch caterpillars.
We have two sons. Andrew has worked for many years for small companies that do
interior design and custom storage. At present, he manages his employer’s showroom,
maintains the business’s web presence, and coordinates the work done for clients. One of
his primary avocations is growing/fermenting peppers for homemade hot sauces. His
other main interest is WFTDA-sanctioned women’s flat-track roller derby. A few years
back, he coached one of the Toronto teams to its first league championship; more
recently, he has focused on announcing. He’s one of 6 people to have announced at all
three World Cup tournaments (the most recent was held in Manchester, UK this past
February). In 2017, he was chosen to be the person who selected and assigned the
announcers for the North-American Championships in Philadelphia.

Andrew * Janet * David

Our son David is by inclination a historian. He works as the Archivist for Toronto’s
Hospital for Sick Children. He also writes about local history for an e-zine (he’s won
four Mayor’s Awards for his writing), he is active in local historical societies, and he has
researched buildings for the city bodies that designate landmarks. He also is musically
gifted – in high school, he won a special award for doing a number of things, which
included scoring a piece of music he’d written for a full school orchestra, so that it could
be performed at a concert. The following anecdote will tell you everything you might
need to know about David: In Kindergarten, his teacher had to cajole David into painting
at an easel; when she later praised his results, he turned to her and asked, “Is that
sarcasm?”
Perhaps some readers of the Newsletter will recognize the woman below, standing next to
Janet. My sister Marilyn graduated from Hicksville High in 1957. She and I remain very
close, although we’re hundreds of miles apart.
Marilyn & Janet

That’s all for now!

Ron

"400 West John street" is a proposed 45000 square foot warehouse with a minimum 30 ft
ceiling height and 8 loading docks and with egress on Kuhl Avenue!!!
Too much traffic!!! We don’t need more Traffic on this narrow residential street!!!!
There was a Town of Oyster Bay “town hall” meeting on Monday, March 26 at 7pm. The
public was invited to attend the meeting to support the opposition to this large warehouse
in our Northwest section of Hicksville. Kuhn Ave cannot be dumped on by having these
large tractor trailers traveling on it. Below is a street view of the corner of Kuhl and West
John Street. The treed area shown behind the cluster of stores is the proposed area for the
huge factory. What was the name of the bar that was on the far left??? I was playing darts
one night and one dart hit the board and flew toward the bar and hit a young lady sitting
on a stool. Thank heaven it was the feather end and not the pointy end!!!

Cheryl Gries Brown 1972

Editor note…we will find out how successful the meeting was and advise you all

HixNews Editors…The origin of the HHS Comets mascot is shrouded in mystery. I

checked with the Gregory Museum, which drew a blank. Perhaps readers of Hix News
can shed light on this subject?

Ken Marcus
1967

Hi Bob…I enjoyed your look back at Hicksville, it brought back some fond memories.
My grandparents moved from Brooklyn to Hicksville in the early 1930’s. They called it
the “country”. One block from my street, Centre St, was a fairly large potato farm that
stretched to Plainview Rd. I still have some memorabilia from high school. One item is a
menu from the Milleridge Inn where the Hicksville High sports dinner was held in 1960.
My year book is still in good shape. I tell my grandkids that my high school years were
the best years; no war; people respected each other and prospered. Hard for them to
understand that these days. I guess as we mature our memories get better. Best regards.

Fran Dicabia 1960

Good morning…back in January, I received an email from Buffalo Bob Casale. I signed
up to receive your newsletter. Could you please add my name, Donna Lafferty (maiden
name Carter) and my husband’s name, Scott Lafferty to your list?
Thank you!
Donna Lafferty 1977

Donna…I added you both to my master list. If You have not been added to the Google
Master List, it will be done. Send me your birthday and Scott, too, and your anniversary
so your names can be added to the master lists. This way you will receive a card every
year as long as I'm capable of sending out the greetings. Hope you are well!
Warm regards from HixNews

Below are responses from former students about my video “Hicksville Then & Now”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jacJ_v0ceuU

I have lived in Hicksville for 66 years. I remember my dentist, Vito Cappiello, on

Broadway, across from the Post Office, when it was a 2 lane street. I graduated high
school in 1964 and do remember some of our alumni that were lost in the wars. What a
shame that wars still exist. I hope the downtown revitalization improves Hicksville's
reputation. Too many restaurants, clothing stores, jewelry stores, etc. Time for single
signage. Let's get our Hicksville back.

CJ Whitton 1964

Such a sad display of urban crawl. So much character lost!!!

Tomahawkseven
Barbara Hoosack Sarluco, class of 1968, updated her Facebook Profile Photo
Editor Note…you look the same “X” many years later!!!
If you recognize someone, please send the names to editors@hixnews.com
Wonder how many left parochial school and wound up at Hicksville High???
Photo submitted by Maria Andriella Pratt 1977

Now that's what I remember what a class size was!!!

Rich Brady

Wow I recognize my ugly mug but have some trouble picking out others who I should
know!

Philip Reilly, Holy Trinity High School 1976

People don’t think that there were ever those size classes.

Maureen Kelley Conlon

Tom Kavanagh picking his nose just never gets old.

Jim Johnson
Loved Sister Paul Joseph. We used to do contests to see who could touch their noses with
their tongue. She won!

Peggy Block Prokopek 1973

Are you in this picture?

Mary Armstrong

I wasn’t in this class. In first grade it was 1962- I think.

Peggy

Sorry, I used common core math and got it wrong...LOL!

Mary

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Joe Bausk 1950

Thank you for the anniversary card, our 15th, and for thinking of us. It was much
appreciated.
Jen & Pete Foster 1957 (shown with Dale & Len Cuccaro on the right)

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Fred Fulco 1960

Thank you for the card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated. Thanks Bob!
With the snow storm we had here, I had no internet, phone landline or cell for three days.
Many around here are still in a disaster mode. They are saying that some will be without
electricity for a minimum of three days. I hope you are feeling as well as possible. So far,
I’m still doing well. Thanks again for your well wishes.

Tom Steedman 1960

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Anne Marie Wright 1960

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated. I’m so
happy to be at this stage of life with my wonderful husband, Don. Every birthday is my
favorite. Spent this one on the golf course with good friends and in the clubhouse after.
Life is good!
Carol Snyder Ferguson 1961
Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated. Since I
was born on February 29th, and have a birthday only once every four years, I’m
technically still a teenager. We try to do something special and memorable whenever
there is a February 29th. Not this year. All the best to the class of 1961. I was just thinking
about the Senior Trip to Washington, DC.
Barbara Weber Knueppel 1961

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Joan Brandt McHugh 1962
Bob & gang at HixNews…Thanks so very much for the funny birthday card. I have been
celebrating my birthday around the world for the past 20 years or so and this last one was
at home with family and friends. What a great day. Thanks for the card and thanks for
all the work you and the Hix staff do in bringing us the Hicksville news each month. I
truly enjoy reading about how old friends are doing. I have lived in Levittown,
Pennsylvania for the past 45 years, but my wife and I have traveled extensively and plan
to continue doing so as long as we remain young and ready to go. Please pass on my
good wishes to all my old classmates.
Regards
Steve Baum 1962

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Marty Burkhardt 1963

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Sister Maureen Schrimpe 1963
Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated. People
like you was what was so great about growing up in Hicksville.
Julia White Weiss 1963

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was a nice surprise (though
you send one every year).
Michelle Lauer Bader 1967
Thank you for the card. As I get older, one day is like the next. Being remembered by
others makes the day special. I can always count on the HixNews gang to send in the
sunshine. Keep up the great work.
Beverly Fetz White 1967

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated. I’ll
think of a great birthday to write about at a later date. Thanks again!
Chris Andersen 1967
Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Lynn McMorrow O’Riordan 1968

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated. What a
great laugh and a great way to start the day!!!
Joe Milich 1968
Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Anton Mure 1968

Thank you for the birthday card. It really brightened my day!

Karen Kelly LaCarrubba 1969
Thank you Bob, and HixNews editors, for taking the time out of your day to remember
all our birthdays and anniversaries.
Lisa Dorais Wissler 1971

Thank you so much for the beautiful thoughtful birthday card. It really made me smile
and touched my heart. Thanks again.
Carol-ann Luisi Saletto 1975
To Buffalo Bob and the gang at HixNews. Thank you for the anniversary card and for
thinking of us. It was much appreciated.
Ed Coakley & Lorin O’Neill Coakley 1977

Brainteaser
A quick quiz for you to practice name recognition. Great mental exercise, especially
for us aging folks.

With which of the following names are you familiar?

01. Monica Lewinsky
02. Bill Clinton
03. Hillary Clinton
04. Adolph Hitler
05. Jorge Bergoglio
06. Winnie Mandela
07. Vladimir Putin
08. Linda Lovelace
09. Saddam Hussein
10. O.J. Simpson
You had trouble with number 5?

Check the answer at the bottom of the newsletter

E-Mail Address Changes

Flashback

Levitt houses under construction probably 1949 or 1950

People lined up to see the Levitt Ranch others buying their dream home
What’s a “45”???
Sears Mural
Class of 1962 Reunion Committee Forty Year 2002

Can anyone put names to these cute faces???

Photo submitted by
Maria Andriella Pratt 1977

I believe the same teacher is in one of my old photos…I think?

Judy Swallow Wilhelm, Holy Trinity High School 1970

Miss Kiley, I believe. Middle row third from right, Thumper behind me Cheryl Feldt in
front. Have all their names somewhere.
Rose Ann Masterson Ruggiero

Yep, I’m front row right.

Maria

You look like your sister Nina!! She was in my class.

Judy

Nina Andriella Zychlinski

Yes, we still resemble each other!

Maria & Nina & Hubbies

Here’s a photo of The HiWay Tavern in Hicksville.

Photo from Barbara Maraldo

Where was this place located? I don’t remember!

Carolyn Benzeno Sullivan 1970

On Woodbury Road.

Donna Smith Weston 1985

Yes! Woodbury between Smith and Moeller Streets.
Barbara

Great shot of that nice building.

Cheryl Gries Brown 1972

My Dad took this from the end of our street.

Barbara

I remember you, Barbara. You have a sister named Eileen and your family lived 3 houses
from mine.
Patricia McGrane Johnson (Shannon on left, Katie next, Patricia & Bob)

Hi Pat! I sure do remember you and your Mom, Dad and sister. Her name was also
Eileen. When you and your sister were very young a few times I babysat for you.
Barbara
I don't know why, but out of all the bars in Hicksville I never was there.

Phyllis Quigley Greiner 1974

Our crowd was there too !! Early 70's. My husband has the painting of Joe Namath that
used to hang in the bar. When they were closing they gave away a lot of the stuff that was
there.
Cheri Totter Mulholland 1971

In the mid 50’s, our Grandfather would take me, my Sister and our cousins there and we
could sit at the bar and talk to a parrot that they had there! The “good ole days”.

Karen Hoosack Brosseau

I worked there for about a year and there are many memories.

Kevin Induddi 1974

Part of the bar is in one of my friends basement as his bar.

Tom Campolettano 1977

Were the owners the Ryan family? I had a guy in Home Room named Ryan, maybe
Kevin? He said his parents owned the Hiway Inn. Never knew if he was kidding or not.

Rick Russo 1970

Yes! Pat's last name was Ryan, Rudy's was Goldman. I didn't know any of Pat's kids, but
I met a couple of Rudy's. One of them tended bar on occasion.
Dan Jones 1981

Yes! Pat and Kathy Ryan were the owners and their son was Kevin . They also had a
daughter Maureen. They were our next door neighbors on 9th street, near Lee Ave.

Cheryl Donghia Cook 1964

I thought I remembered it as the Highway Inn. The owners lived on 9th Street, near Lee
Avenue.

Kathleen Quinn Gorlitz 1972

Yes , I lived next door to them . Nicest family.

Cheryl

That was our last stop on the way home cause we could walk home from there many a
good night was had back in the day.

Steve Lawrence 1972 (shown above with Kathy)

Spent a lot of time in that place and have many memories xoxo.

Jackie Spitzer Colasonno 1978

Yes for sure! If I’m not mistaken, they had the Pac-Man game towards the rear of the bar.

John Bosman 1977

Pac-Man, stylized as PAC-MAN, is an arcade game developed by Namco and first
released in Japan in May 1980. Immensely popular from its original release to the present
day, Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium, and an icon of 1980s
popular culture. Upon its release, the game—and, subsequently, Pac-Man derivatives—
became a social phenomenon that yielded high sales of merchandise and inspired a
legacy in other media, such as the Pac-Man animated television series and the top-ten
Buckner and Garcia hit single "Pac-Man Fever". Pac-Man was popular in the 1980s and
1990s and is still played in the 2010s.

You are right!! Great times!

Christine Bozzi

Originally it must have been a large private home or hotel?

Bill Van Nostrand

Another part of Hicksville history destroyed for a development of homes. Beautiful

historic homes & buildings are being torn down all over Long Island. The village of
Babylon is notorious for it.
Cheryl Gries Brown
I loved that building. You're right Cheryl. Just another part of Hicksville history gone.

Jean Geveda Hilton 1972

I always loved that building and cried when they tore it down.

Dolores Polidora Gregor 1972

Never Forget
Photo submitted by Barbara Maraldo

This is my brother John's class picture from 1966 at St. Ignatius. He’s on the bottom
right, 2nd one over. Next to him is Edward Wheeler. His dad was a driver/owner of a
Charles Chip truck and had his own delivery route. My brother would bring home bags
of potato chips Ed gave him. 5th from the bottom right-John McCauley. I see Karen
Allen Makuch in the 2nd row from bottom and Jeanne Way (?) on the 3rd row from
bottom. We also had Sister Ellen Therese. She was very nice.

Top row Left to Right; Maryann Murphy, Leslie Shannon, ? Virginia Jacobson
Carol Odnoha ? Gina Minervino, Dawn Koch, Mary Sadowski, Marybeth Cooper
2nd row Rich Trant, Bill Minardi, Rich Kordecki, Tom Harlin, Pat Organ,
Gerard VanDerLaske, John Kovsh ? James Rupp, Doug Fochi, ? Ken Price,
Kerry O’neil, Bob Brummer, Pete Solaski, Craig Clemens
3rd row Regina ?, Sue O'Hara, Maryann? Liz Conlon, Geraldine Gesslein,
Connie Meslin, Marybeth Gallant, Ann Harkins, Jean Way, Margaret Atthoff
4th row John Lily ??? Chris Sutter, Annmarie Rafuse, Margeret Stoltz,
Donna Allen, ? Maureen Borzill, George Rockler, Bill?
Bottom row Marty Schweitzer, John Fazio, John McCaully, Don DelRosso,
Ed Wheeler, John Maraldo, Charles Ganassa

Below are photos of those who were in the class photo above and graduated HHS in 1973

Margaret Atthoff Bob Brummer Dawne Koch

 Don DelRosso Christine Barnett John Maraldo

Leslie Shannon Mary Sadowski Mary Ann Murphy

Carol Odnoha Elizabeth Pennisi Joanne Sutter

Jean Way Ed Wheeler Maryann Zillini

Craig Clemens

Roseann Longabardi (shown above with daughter Kim)

Regina Gabriel

Geraldine Gesslein (shown above with grandson)

Ann Harkins

Tom Harlin
John Kovsh
John McCauley

George Rochler (shown above with his wife, Diane, and grand baby)

Rich Trant
Annmarie Rafuse Marty Schweitzer

So many faces look familiar. I was in the other class, same grade. And yes that is Jean
Way. We're still good friends. I think three over from her with long blond hair is Connie
Meslin?

Debbie Fischer Dowdell 1973

50 kids in one class that would be crazy now a days.

Darlene Coffey

Yes it would be. You could hear a pin drop in our class of 50 kids.
Barbara

I graduated from St. Ignatius in 1961--and up until the 8th grade when they turned two
classrooms into three classrooms (with the opening of the "new" school in the back there-
-I had 90, yes that is NINETY kids in my class--and you know what, we all seemed to
learn just fine, but we also knew respect for authority.

Pat Clancy Kriss, Queen of the Rosary Academy, Amityville 1965

I graduated from St Ignatius in 1974 and we had anywhere from 45-50 kids per class to 1
teacher. Great education and no one spoke out of turn, showed disrespect or you'd be at
the principal’s office and they would call your parents. Ohhhh boy!!!!!!
Marie Franzese Watts 1978

Looks like it says Grade 6. John McCauley and my brother were good friends.
Barbara

Went to see John and John many times when they were in a band. No recollection of the
name of the band!

Dan Jones 1981

I think the band’s name was Albatross. Yes John was a lead guitar player. He taught me
how to play as well. I forget the name of the band.
Rich Trant was the lead singer. They sometimes practiced in our basement. I will ask him
the name of the band. They put out an album and my brother "borrowed" one of my
Asian type tunics--he showed me the album cover and realized that is where my shirt had
gone! John could listen to Stairway to Heaven, and had the lead figured out by the second
time he played it.
Barbara

When you talk to him please tell him I said Hey. I was and still am good friends with
McCauley's brother Rich. Every once in a while I would see your brother at the Highway.
Dan

Is your brother John 1 year younger than you?

Cheryl Gries Brown

Yes he was a year and 3 months younger than me.

Barbara
Love seeing these St. Ignatius Loyola pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Cheryl

You’re welcome, Cheryl.

Barbara

Marty Schweitzer I'm in that pic also. ha ha ha ha memories.

Marty Schweitzer 1973

Where are you Marty Schweitzer?

Cheryl

Bottom last one on the left!

Marty

Yup! There you are

Cheryl

That's my husband’s class. He is on the second row 7th from the teacher. Doug Fochi. I
will see if we can identify others.

Roseann Longabardi Fochi 1973 (shown above with Kim)

Hey, Roseann…Gimme some time to write the names down and believe I can name
almost all those pictured.
Marty

Damn, Marty. If you penciled in a fu man choo on that picture, you didn’t change a bit.

Daniel Roethel 1976

Here goes (the list is shown above with the photo)

Marty
These names are very familiar. I know so many of these kids and many of their siblings.
Great memories. Thanks Marty.
Cheryl

Thanks so much for your help. Now I should be able to make the entry into the newsletter
more interesting. Are you familiar with the Hicksville High Newsletter???
Buffalo Bob Casale 1961

Yes I am familiar and a reader!

Marty

I’m pretty sure that Ann Marie “ Ragussa “ is one of my younger sisters. Ann Marie
Rafuse.
Dan Rafuse

It is Ann Marie Rafuse.

Marty

The Charlie Chip route was owned by my family. He was an employee. Everyone was
treated like family.

Paula Jargo Bruckner 1972

Thank you for clarifying that. We loved the Charles chips, they were the best.
Barbara Maraldo
That’s me, in front of sister.

Craig Clemens

Bingo!
Cheryl

Amazing, 50 kids in one class and "only" one teacher.

Jerry Rottkamp, W. Trespar Clarke High School, Westbury 1963

(Shown above with daughter, Kim)

50 kids! No wonder they had little patience for class disruption.

Bill Dalton 1979

And somehow we all managed to learn.

Nancy Collins Troup

Amazing we all received an education and today 15 kids and parents complain the class
is too big.

JoAnn Barton Balnis 1975

Hicksville Alumni Association

Hicksville Historical Society

History
Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at age 76, which is odd, because he
always looked to be 76. (DOB: 6/27/27)

His death reminded me of the following story.

Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave
alongside 3 and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his
name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else.
Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time so why the heck
does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer:
I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Marine Corps experiences.
In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces often in
rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform
for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero.
He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima.
And if you don’t know, there is only one higher naval award... the Medal Of Honor!

Pictured above is William Loren McGonagle, Captain USS Liberty, a CMOH recipient.
Back to Lee Marvin. If that is a surprising comment on the true character of Marvin, he
credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery. Below is a dialog from
"The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson": His guest was Lee Marvin...

Johnny said, "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial
landing at Iwo Jima and that during the course of
that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."
Iwo Jima July 1945 Iwo Jima July 2010

"Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the butt and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot
spot about halfway up Mount Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is
guys getting shot hauling you down. But, Johnny, at Iwo Jima, I served under the bravest
man I ever knew... We both got the Cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross
made mine look cheap in comparison.
That dumb guy actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward
and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere
and he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He
did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his
own life.
That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we
passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter
and said, "Where'd they get you Lee?" "Well Bob.... if you make it home before me, tell
Mom to sell the outhouse!"
Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew. The Sergeant's
name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as
Captain Kangaroo."
On another note, there was this wimpy little man on PBS, gentle and quiet.

Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he
now portrays to our youth. But Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in
Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved
sweater on TV to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. He was a master in
small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat.
After the war Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian minister and therefore, a
pacifist. Vowing to never harm another human, he also dedicated the rest of his life to
trying to help lead children on the right path in life. He hid away the tattoos and his past
life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm.
America's real heroes don't flaunt what they did. They quietly go about their day-to-day
lives, doing what they do best. They earned our respect and the freedoms that we all
enjoy. Look around and see if you can find one of
those heroes in your midst. Often, they are the ones you'd least suspect, but would most
like to have on your side if anything ever happened.
Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom. With encouragement, they
could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers.

Today, a boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling on crutches with my

broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me. He helped me all
the way across campus to my class and as he was leaving he said,
"I hope you feel better soon."

Early morning sky in Washington, D.C.

Household Tips

In The News
Sandra Gibson from the class of 1961 joined Classmates in March. We don’t have an
email address for Sandra but if you want to get in touch with her, you can post a note o
Classmates.

If the steady upward march of inflation has you tired of living in the U.S., perhaps it's
time to start thinking about relocating to another country with a lower cost of living.
GOBankingRates checked out Numbeo statistics on the present cost of living to find out
which countries have the lowest price of living compared to New York City.

New Readers

On The Internet

Passages
John A. Grillo grew up without much, achieved great success in his business but above
all he had a loving heart for all he met. He included everyone and excluded no one in his
life. We were honored to call him our cousin. You are in the loving arms of Jesus now
and out of the pain you've had for years. John was married to Barbara McGeever and she
is shown in the center photo with John. We love you always and will miss you forever.

Cheryl Gries Brown

GRILLO - John A., of Port Jefferson, NY passed away surrounded by his family on
February 24, 2018 at the age of 73. Beloved husband to Barbara of 50 years. Incredible
father of John, Jennifer and Bobby. An adored father-in-law to Tasha, Charlie and
Joellen. Truly loving grandfather to his 8 grandchildren Samantha, Christopher, Matthew,
Solan, Emily, Tyler, Caitlyn and Jiah. A prominent Long Island based school architect,
he built a practice that started in his bedroom with nothing more than a drafting table and
his wife Barbara and turned it in into a very successful firm. Family will receive friends
and loved ones on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm at
Bryant Funeral Home, 411 Old Town Road, East Setauket, NY. Mass Thursday at Infant
Jesus Church, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Port Jefferson, NY at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's name to
Contractorsforkids.org or Martylyonsfoundation.org. www.bryantfh.com

George Revis Obituary - Rutland, VT | Rutland Herald

George graduated with our class of 1963. I found this obit for him recently.
George was 63, lived in Pittsford and passed Sunday, January 25, 2009, at his home.
I am sure many of his former classmates might appreciate reading .
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rutlandherald/obituary.aspx?n=george-
j-revis&pid=123411098

Jerry D’Amura 1963

People Looking For People

Recipes

Reunions

Things People from Long Island Will Have To Explain

Videos On The Internet
Jerry Yellin flew the very last mission over Japan in WWII
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/395572/jerry-yellin-world-war-ii-veteran-interview

Bye Bye Sears by Bill Mignoli (March 21st, 2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQkmlxNtbRY&feature=youtu.be

Angelicus a wonderful group of young women in a chorus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxFlmsvWefU

A compilation of animals being funny!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HooGMhHTJlY

Vietnam Memorial Update

This is amazing…and sobering. You may find lost friends or relatives, what a great
tribute.
The Vietnam Wall
This is really sobering. Click on the hyperlink below that is in color. Once at the website,
first click on a state. When it opens, scroll down to the city where you went to high
school and look at the names. Click on the name and it will give details of the person's
death, a picture or at least their bio and medals. This really is an amazing web site.
Someone spent a lot of time and effort to create it. I hope that everyone who receives this
appreciates what those who served in Vietnam sacrificed for our country. Pass the link on
to others. Many knew wonderful people whose names are listed.
http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm

Submitted by Ron Rocek class of 1960 (shown above with Lin)

I’ve seen it before and I used it when I created the video for our Hicksville vets who died.
If you haven't seen it, go to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_26pgnSICM
Quite eye opening when you view all the names and all the states and all the useless
carnage for all those years. What did anyone gain from the conflict? I still feel badly
about the treatment our Vietnam Vets got when they returned. And I saw Jane Fonda on
TV the other day and nearly puked. She was and still is a dirtbag. Hope you are well.
When is your next mini reunion???
Regards
buffalo bob casale
p.s. why don't you write something that I can put into the newsletter.

Hi Bob…Thank you for your response and the link to the presentation. I did contribute
for the Memorial and thought I would be included with those who served but didn’t see
my name. I attended R.O.T.C. at Cal Poly and received a commission upon graduation. I
selected the Army Ordnance Corps as my branch and attended basic at Aberdeen Proving
ground Maryland. After basic I attended Nuclear Weapons school at Sandia Base,
Albuquerque, NM. I was then assigned to the 96th Ordnance Company in Texarkana, TX,
to train for an active mission in central Germany. The unit arrived in FRG in July of
1966. I served with the Ordnance Company through mid-1968, and was given a new
assignment at the Headquarters, United States Army Europe where I finished out my
European tour as a General Staff Officer. I separated in 1969 with the rank of Captain.
Don’t know if you can do anything now. I’m thinking that the memorial is complete.
Stay well and be safe.
Ron Rocek.
P.S. We haven’t decided on our next mini reunion, but will let you know.

A note sent to Joe Carfora

Can you please check to see if Ron Rocek is on the Memorial List. Don't know why I
cannot find the list myself to check. Thanks
Bob

Bob…Ron Rocek is already on the Confirmed List of Names and has been there for quite
some time (listed as Rocek, Ronald E.). In fact, I even have his email address on the
official master list, which we do not publish, so I'm copying him for this note. On the
master list, I do have a column to list additional details, so I put the important info from
Ron's email to you in that section, under his name, so his most recent input was indeed
helpful.
The quickest way for both of you to access the list is to go to www.hixnews.com, then
click on the "Honoring Our Veterans" tab of the website, scroll down within the Vietnam
Memorial Update to the Confirmed List of Names and click on the link next to it. This
will take you directly to the Google Document that we publish every month as part of
HixNews.
Last, Ron's name does appear on our List of Donors that is at the bottom of each month's
Update, as referenced above. I trust, with this information, you'll both be able to confirm
what I've noted in this email. Should there be any problem in accessing the monthly
update containing this information, please let me know.
Best regards

Joe Carfora 1962 (shown above with his wife, Sharon)

Thank you Joe. I could really kick myself. Four years in the Army and no pictures.
Damn! Take care Joe and thank you again.
Ron

Hi Ron…No need to kick yourself! I was in Germany also (April '67 through mid-
December '68) and don't have many pictures to show for it either. Remember, picture
taking wasn't as easy as having your iPhone handy today! Hope you were able to find
your name listed for both the Memorial and as a donor, from the info I supplied earlier.
Thanks too, for being a donor and for your service!
Joe

Joe & Ron…When I was in Bremerhaven, the barracks we lived in was used by the SS
during WWII and between floors, under the middle window, and imbedded into the
brickwork, was a swastika. It's hard to see and the photograph I’m attaching is not the
greatest. Stare hard and you can see it!! The weather there reminded me of the weather in
Seattle...dreary!!! A third picture depicts one of the parties we had with our German
friends at their downtown pub. I did spend almost 9 years in the navy and took a boatload
of photos. Before I left New York, I had a problem with my storage device and I lost a lot
of photos. The ones I'm sorry I lost were the photos I took when I visited the Arizona
Memorial in Pearl Harbor. I still get chills thinking about the history of the attack on
Pearl and the Arizona.
Bob

Bob & Ron…Thanks for the pics, Bob! You really have to look for the swastika, as it
easily gets subdued in the brickwork, unless someone like you notices it and points it
out. The car in pic 2 looks like 1930's vintage, amazing it was still in running condition
in the 60's! True to Navy form, you guys look like you had no problem picking up girls
in Bremerhaven (pic 3)!!
I was in Bremerhaven just once, to pick up my car, which the Army shipped over at no
cost to me. A very old town, as I recall and I traveled there by train to get the car. I
forgot to say in my last email that I spent my entire time in Germany at Wildflecken,
about 50K northeast of Frankfurt, between Fulda and Wurzberg, in the Northern Bavarian
Mountains; just a beautiful setting. Wildflecken was just a few miles from the then East
German Border and was a major training center for both the US and West German armies
back then. Most people remember Grafenweir (Graf as we called it) as the main training
center, because it was bigger, but we did the same work at Wildflecken.
On active duty I was a combat engineer company commander (Company B, 54th
Engineer Battalion) and like Ron, finished my service as a captain.
Joe

About the Brainteaser

Well, isn't that just great! You know the names of all the criminals, murderers,
thieves, sluts, and cheaters, but you don't know the Pope's name