May comments

The following is an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid-term. The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well.
>Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?
>Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law, (gas cools off when it expands and heats up when it is compressed) or some variant.
>One student, however, wrote the following: First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate that souls are moving into Hell and the rate they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving.
>As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Some of these religions state, that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell.
>Since there are more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell.
>With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially.
>Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added. This gives two possibilities:
1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.
2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over. So which is it?
>If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year, that "...it will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you," and take into account the fact that I still have not succeeded in having sexual relations with her, then #2 cannot be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and will not freeze.

Hi Guys

Addition to photo #319 unk is Ray Walsh...should have caught it when I first saw the photo...
.....................
Answer to Harold Deppe

Sorry to report that Hom Young and Dan Acker passed away.

Bob Manno is living in Raybrook, NY

Iconoscopes............Story of what happened to 2 of them when the film chains were removed from service in the broadcast center.......Bruce Myers was dumping the film chains from telecini in BC....Fred Harman and I both retrieved working Iconoscopes from the garbage pail....We both still have them........Mine, I mounted on a board and as
far as I know it still works.........Will probably end up in a museum one day as there are few remaining.....

Freddie S.

Hi Les.
Adrian asked about Ruly Fowler if that is the Fowler that was in Construction; He Told me that every time He put his Cigar in the ash tray at Home She worried that it would fall out and burn the Table. so he said when he retires he will have all knotty Pine Furniture so if the cigar falls on the Table and burns the Table it will look like another Knot.

Herb Zvorst....He worked with me in G.C. Maint.He left His Corn Cobb Pipes all over its a wonder the Studios did not burn down .He also took care of all the Stock' Tubes Parts etc.

What Happened To...Jim Tonn....Ben Ackerman ....Joe Tier...Joe Cook...and H.D.T V. Paul Buda lets hear from You...
Best Regards. Harold Deppe.

The only one I know about is Dan Acker. He passed on a few years ago. e was a very intelligent man. I was on remote with him in some boondocks town and we needed a processing amplifier and there was no way we could beg or borrow one. He went to an old cardboard box he had stashed in back of the truck and built one. It was simple but it worked. His favorite show was Jeopardy because he knew most all of the answers. His favorite question to a "KNOW IT ALL" who was bothering him (he liked his privacy) was "name the three pyramids of Egypt". and while they were thinking about it, he would slip away....Does anybody know the answer?

    I was pleased to hear form a former neighbor of mine from Teaneck, NJ. Don McGraw and I, lived juxtaposed and separated by a few blocks between Doug Hennesey, and John Triesner.

    We talked about a myriad of subjects, but, mostly about the demise of CBS (as we knew it). I didn't know he was now at FOX.
    The Field shop, and the Field trucks are gone. Most of the Studios ........are gone. The Crib (Equipment Center) is now on the first floor. Greg O'Connor, Crib Super. is now with the Morning Show, in a new theater?
    "The World Turns," is gone, is now in Brooklyn, at the former NBC Color Studio? (But, I think they might renegotiate and return to CBS?) Can there be a CBS without, (all T W Turns) Helen Wagner, Eileen Fulton, and everyone's favorite Don Hastings? That makes me sad.

    Where are my drivers, my dear friends? Walt Soucy, Scott Eithier, and Ray Walsh? Can you think of finer men?
    CBS placed millions of dollars in their hands in the form of trucks and equipment each week. And they delivered.
    CBS farms (per diem) out their remotes now. How truly sad. I am sure the per-diems get the job done?? But, they don't have the heart or loyalty (this is not bu.. S..t) The pride that the truck supervisors showed in, "their trucks" was something to behold.
    The great field maintenance people that performed, "on-the-spot, miracles" quite often, ...are gone. I hope they all have found a safe haven to continue with their lives.

    CBS didn't just move from the,' number one 'spot in ratings. They relinquished the banner of greatness to the world and thereby built their own competition.

    When Mr. William S. Paley died, he took the mantel of greatness with him. And, "the money changers ruined the temple."

    I was pleased to hear from Don McGraw, but sad to hear about my home (CBS) passing into mediocrity.
Tony C.

What has happened to "The Midnight Monk" Paul Hille, Bill Wagner and Pete Deller?? Art Smyles, Bob Dorman, Stan Winiarski?

Hugo's passing hits me hard, as we go way, way back. Back in '54 or '55 or so, I'd been given an assignment of converting some I/O cameras for use in the Chromacoder project. These cameras had to be changed into field-sequential color cameras (somebody else must have worked out the spinning disk part) at three times the H and V frequencies, and with scanning turned 90 degrees (field rate was horizontal, line rate was vertical). We were using the old RCA field equipment, with the 75-pound suitcase units. My first impression of Hugo was of him moving a couple of those units to under a table, lifting them under with one hand. Then a couple of days later I found there were brains accompanying the brawn. We had to invent some rather tricky circuits, and Hugo one morning came up with one that I'd thought was impossible. Some time later, when I was looking for a house for my family, Hugo mentioned one on the market two houses from him, which we bought, and then were close neighbors for 37 years. Hugo had a circle of friends who were very interesting and largely on the brainy side. I remember one, an old classmate of his, who said "Hugo is the only man I know who graduated with honors from CCNY on a vocabulary of only seven words, four of them unprintable." That belongs on his epitaph.

Regards................Les Burkhardt

Jay

Hi Les:

Boy! I did not expect you to re-type the whole list. That must have been some job! Thanks for your efforts.

I have MS Word....so that is no problem.

Regarding the Crew #6 listing.....I believe they should read:
Sedia
Jensen
Gagnon
(That is....Dick Sedia, Art Jensen, and Buddy Gagnon)

The Crew #17 leader should be Howerton (Jack Howerton) since he is not on any part of the list and Giriat should be as listed for Crew #7. (I imagine corrections were made to the original list when personnel shifted around).

Les there were so many errors in spelling and typos that instead of trying to describe them to you I took the liberty of going down the entire list and edited all the entries I found incorrect and re-saved the edited file. (also 3 names were missing from the bottom of crew #15)

I am sure that when this list is posted....it will bring back many names and memories to the old timers.

I am attaching the edited file and hope it is satisfactory to you.

Again...many thanks for your efforts.

73 de Jay (Best regards from Jay)

To Adrian

I am sending this information to you as a web page and if I may say so for Jay and myself. We did pretty good

From Adrian: Hey, you sure did. Glad to put this all on the website to show what you guys went through. As far as I'm concerned, very worth it. Calls up to me many, many names I hadn't thought of in a long time. All we need now is a link so everyone can look at it. Here it is: 1950/1951 Crew List

Here's a question. I see a McSpedon there. Didn't know we'd had one. Is/was this fellow a member of the renowned McSpedon family then, as now, very prominent in both Local 3 circles and also onetime powers in Yonkers politics? I happen to have one as a neighbor now. In the house between mine and Hugo's.

Received May 8, 2001:

From Cal Marotta

I noticed that my name is not on any crew list so it must be prior to August of 1951.
That's when Sather hired me and my first assignment was on Kashouris`s crew .The color studio at that time was on 109th St. and 5th. Ave., I was there until color was cancelled. When I reported to the black & white studios, every body thought it was my first day on the job. We did two shows a day in color. One was The Ivan Sanderson Show. He was an explorer and every day he would come in with a different animal. One day he had some African bees and they got away. We all ran out of the studio and watched them fly down 5th Ave. The other show was called The Mike & Buff Show. Mike was Mike Wallace and Buff was Buff Cobb his then wife. Her father was a very famous jurist. One day while Mike Wallace was interviewing a new actor named Jack Lemmon, one of Ivan Sandersons monkeys got away and climbed up into the grid. Jack Lemmon, climbed up a stairwell to the grid and while balancing himself on the pipes (there was no walkway) tried to catch the monkey. It wasn't until his agent screamed at him to get down that he realized what a foolish thing he had done.....ahhhh memories!!!

From Joe Janovsky

Hi Les,
Although the time frame precedes my time with CBS, it was still pleasant to read some of the old timers' names. I wonder if some one out there could associate the various crews with the shows that they did. For example, I think that Heuberger's crew did one of the Godfrey shows,
n'est pas? Regards, Joe J.

From Tony Cucurullo

I would like to put to bed the story of Senator Kerrey's episode in Vietnam. First I appreciate the responses that were sent to the page and me. Some were laudatory, and the one from Adrian, who exercised his Democratic right of expression. I appreciate anyone that takes a stand, and states it. He would be a fair juror, I am sure.
    Waiting for ALL the facts to be presented is a wise course to follow no matter the subject.
    Let us not judge these tormented warriors with our mature moral pontificating. Paraphrasing an adage," walk a mile in their shoes before you judge them". And, be kind to men that followed a 'blind obedience' doctrine.
    Their accounting will be (if we are too believe, the scriptures) at a higher judgment time when the spirits of the children and other innocent victims confronts them.
"The truth will then prevail."

"Thy will be done."
Tony C.

From Adrian: I wasn't intending to be non-laudatory, and I fully agree with all those who are disgusted with the way much of the press played the story.

From Tony Cucurullo

This story has been circulating for about a month now. I think I have addressed it to at least three of you.
    All of these messages have an underlining purpose. some are enticingly good.

    This one though, should be read with some thought.
(1)    Has this one targeted only the two mentioned?
(2)    Is this being distributed by a competitor?
(3)    How will this effect 'Mom & Pop' stations?
(4)    Has anyone checked to see if these sponsors are indeed who they claim to be.
(5)    If it succeeds, how will this impact on all the layoffs that will ensue.
(6)    Shouldn't the target be the OPEC nations and their exports?

I could go on and on. We must be careful of how we employ the powerful weapon of secondary boycotts. If the fight starts, and our cause is just; I won't join, I will lead.
Think this over, carefully.

Now read the story.

Tony C.

THE FOLLOWING WAS SENT BY AN ECONOMIST WITHIN THE FUEL INDUSTRY AND
ANOTHER ECONOMICS PROFESSOR AT CAL REITERATED THE SAME LAST WEEK. I
THINK IT IS WORTH TRYING.

We heard today from a reliable source who is very savvy about the economy, namely, Clark Howard, and he says that the gas prices are going to start going up again and will be high this summer - $2.00 and up. We need to do whatever we can, and do it NOW!!!!

This makes more sense than the don't buy gas on a certain day routine that was going around last year.

Whoever started this has a good point. By now, you're probably thinking gasoline priced at about $1.49 is cheap. Me too, as it is now $1.58 for regular unleaded!

Now that the oil companies and the OPEC nations have conditioned us to think that the cost of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at less than $1.50, we need to try an aggressive response. With the price of gasoline going up more each day, we consumers need to take ACTION! The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down is if we don't buy it. But, (as the gas companies know full well, and are counting on), that's not really a practical option since we all have come to rely on our cars. But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act together.

Here's the idea: For the rest of this year, don't purchase gasoline from the two biggest companies (which now are one), namely EXXON and MOBIL. You see, if they are not selling, they should be inclined, (i.e., "forced"), to reduce their prices. And, because of their size, and hence market share, if they reduce their prices the other
companies will too. (They would HAVE no choice!). Isn't that a "juicy" prospect? But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of users. But it's doable!
I am sending this note to 42 people. If each of you send it to at least 10 more ... and those 10 send it to at least 10 more and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth iteration, we will have reached over one million consumers. Acting together we can make a difference. If this makes sense to you, please pass this message on,
or one you compose, to at least 10 more E-mail addresses.

PLEASE HOLD OUT UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO BELOW $1.28 -- $1.29 AND KEEP THEM DOWN. THIS CAN REALLY WORK

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!

[From Les]

I have received this message from several sources recently also. Hopefully the other recipients of this do not have a super short memories. The year is not in my recall at the moment, but, what I do recall is long lines at service stations that people sat in hoping to get tank full of gasoline or some other limited amount. The letter ask all people to band together and boycott 2 of the major refiners of crude to gasoline. What is to prevent the Oil Sisters from banding together and reducing the amount of gasoline produced? Isn't that is what occurred back then when we had the long lines? Who would come to their knees first? How many others are captives of their surroundings and the automobile as I am? I must use 1 gallon of gasoline within the round trip to stop at the nearest filling station. This goes for getting to the nearest supermarket, the bank or a haircut. Think very carefully about your own actions as to this, I AM.

What ever happened to:

John Zavocki

Willie Thiel

Ed Magiola

Ed Meitzler

Art Audette

Received May 12, 2001:

From Adrian Ettlinger

The luncheon in honor of Hugo Ripp was held in Hastings yesterday, Friday, May 11. It was Hugo's wish that his family and friends celebrate him in just this way -- with a big bash. There were about 45 people present, including eight CBS retirees -- in alphabetical order, Bill Connolly, Adrian Ettlinger, Johnny Lennon, Dick O'Brien, Freddie Schutz, John Taddei, Sy Yusem and George Zavales. It was a great affair, with many touching eulogies to our man. Three of Hugo's brothers, Heino, Bruno and Eddie and his sister Helen were present, his three children and his wife Astra. I'm sure many CBSers knew or knew of Heino, for many years the "star" TD of NBC. It was my first chance to meet Heino.

Hugo's daughter Wendy and his brother Bruno both distributed handouts, each with a great photo of Hugo, which are both posted in the Photo Gallery as numbers 331 and 332. Wendy also contributed a very interesting and touching biography of Hugo. Bruno distributed a copy of something that practically floored me. Did anyone know that Hugo wrote some poetry? I would never have suspected myself. More proof that, as Tony C. has said and Wendy reiterated, this was truly a renaissance man.

A POEM BY HUGO RIPP

I lived in the country as a child
And roamed along the river's edge
And crept amongst the tall tree trunks
And raced the groundhogs over the fields.

I leaned to tread the forest brush
With padded step with scarce a sound
And lynx-like stalk some solitary quail
Or pounce upon on lonesome hare -- quite unaware.

I used to play with boys and girls
As Indians and Pioneers
And Cat-like creep along the ground
Or Ape-like swing from tree to tree.

I loved the smoothness of the forest floor
Layered with 'leaves' of pines and spruce
And the moss as soft as thistledown
Enfold my feet like a feather bed.

I used to listen to the whir of the wind
Racing thru the locust trees, or shudder
In a cavernous barn as it whistled and whined
And howled before an impending storm.

I used to smell the fresh green birch
Or the perfumed scent of cedared groves
And watch the emerald sun burst through
The raindrop glittered foliage.

I loved to sit at night and talk with friends
And watch the sky for meteorites
Or ruffle the placid, moonlit river
With a fishing line.

I used to chase the fileflies
Among the milkweed pods,
Or simply listen to the night
So quiet and far away,
And yet so near and full of sound.

I used to lie upon the starlit river bank
And hear the insect chirps spring around me
Loud and close, -- and when I moved,
In an instant all was silence
And I seemed deaf, and for a vastness of some seconds
I felt chilled and all alone -- and then,
The life of distant sounds
And the twinkling music of the wild,
Springing like a mushroom freed from earth,
Lifted away the blanket of silence.

Received May 13, 2001:

Happy Mothers Day to all of the nice Ladies out there.

From Gayle DePoli

And yes that is true. I know because I manage the Olympic Boxing venues. And this would be the last time that Felix Savon from Cuba will take home the Gold medal in the Heavy weight division. He has FOUR of them. But turned 32 after the games in Sydney and wished the games goodbye. Now he can live out his years on the Hacienda that Castro built for him. He would never defect to go pro, because he already lives like a King in Cuba.

From Harold Deppe

Hi Les.
Do not see my Name on Crew list. My starting Date with C.B.S was November 1949 Studio Maint. Grand Central Studios.
1949....1973
Regards Harold Deppe.

From Gayle DePoli

For those of you my age and beyond, you will remember the regular segments done by Lucille Rich (dubbed The Rat Lady) on Channel Two. She let all of us know what restaurants the vermin were living in. Why did they ever stop? -
Gayle
--------------------------------------------------------
WCBS (New York) continues to grab good numbers with its "Eat At Your Own Risk Series," which has boosted its ratings at 11 p.m. Monday's 11 p.m. newscast (Ernie Anastos, Angela Rae) snagged a 5.4 (375,000 HHs) - up 20 percent over its May average-to-date and 15 percent higher than the same period last May. "Eat At Your Own Risk" continues tonight with Todd McDermott addressing some of the most frequently asked questions sent in to WCBS's website (cbsnewyork.com) by viewers concerned about skanky conditions at their local supermarkets (hint: stay away from those bloated cans). WCBS is reporting an "81 percent" increase in traffic to its website during the "Eat At Your Own Risk" series. (STARR Report - NY Post)

Received May 23, 2001:

From Fred Schutz

Have some names unk

#341---George and Sylvia Miller

#342---Peter LoCascio

#343---Jim McQuiston

#344---Jim McQuiston,UNK,Chuck Riker

Regards...............Freddie S

***Thanks Freddie. IDs have been added to gallery. -----Adrian

From Cal Marotta re: Stan Mitchell

Guys
Stan had a stroke a little while ago and he is having trouble moving and talking, he would love to hear from you guys
his e mail address is:
megatech1@erols.com
steve

Received this email from Steve Palacek and I pass it on...Cal

From Tony Cucurullo

OK, I am back.
I will state briefly that we went up north to NJ to care for my daughter, and see my critically sister.
Although you might not believe in prayer, per say. We prayed a special "Novena" for my daughter, and if she was to get a good report and results without the prayers we will never know. But, the prayers worked for her, and her terminal condition is arrested, and there is hope for remission. We, Paula my wife and I feel that we prayed hard and it helped. Praise be to GOD.

Now, another subject.
This one is based on a program I started back in the late 80's. I wrote to Mr. Paley and asked if we could use his name to attach to an award for technical excellence in the areas of, Technical Directing, Video operator, Audioman, Cameraman, Boomman, Video Tape, several categories, Maintenance several categories, and Engineering (those that invented or improved on a product for 'Broadcasting'). There are other groups that I had listed, and I realize the gender should be listed as "Person" not just man.

He was amicable to the suggestion, and sent me a letter to that effect. Later though someone in "legal" advised him to reconsider, and he rescinded his use
of his name.

But, just before his death I received a letter form his department stating that he was reviewing his decision. He died, and that was the end of that story.

I have always felt that their was a need for recognition for the many exceptional talents that we had.

I am a retired member of the Cameraman's local of the IATSE. Once a year they award the "Billy Blitzer award " ( He was the first motion picture cameraman)
to a member of that field.

What with all the awards for the "on stage talents" we should have had an award for as anyone knows without the talents behind the lens, and in the control rooms,.....etc. there could not be the quality that appears magically on the screen.

If we could not use the name of Mr. Paley, then why not an amalgamation of Paley, Gershenson, Sarnoff award, for we at CBS, and our brothers and sisters in the industry?

How about some input from all of you. Perhaps you could send in a list of you top five from each group. And we will go from there?

CAMERA:
(1)    John Lincoln
(2)    Pat McBride
(3)    Hal Classon
(4) John Paolo
(5)    Hal Weldon

AUDIO:
(1)    Al Bresson
(2)    Larry Schneider
(3)    Art Shine
(5)    Dick Stewart

Video:
(1)    Morris Drucker
(2)    Paul Lanini
(3)    Dick Sedia
(4)    Bob Squittieri
(5)    Wm 'Red Berridge

Boom:
(1)    Herbert "Chico" Claudio
(2)    Charlie Schwalbe
(3)    Joe Desmond
(4)    Jerry Sullivan
(5)    Kevin Slattery, Art Murphy, Sol Tabachnick

Video Tape:
Please help with names, there are so many great ones,

Other groups too, please add to whatever you FEEL should be considered..Only please,...do not include a category for pretty faces..because my choices would have to be... Anita Brooking O'Mara, Al Lorreto, Romeo Quaranta, Joe Schwartz.

This should get you too thinking....I hope.

It coming up to a year since this column was started, and thanks to the efforts of Ted Perzsezty, Fred Schutz, Les Burkhardt, Adrian Ettlinger this could not have become the WEB page that it is. But it need knew ideas. Please contribute, it is your chance to keep our memories alive. Let's see how far this new thought goes. Send in your choices, it doesn't cost anything and it might stir some S--t.

See-ya-on-the-page.............Tony C.

From Tony Cucurullo to Sid Gasner

Sid:
Forgive me for not knowing you from your call letters, but, I wish you well non-the-less.
Please let me know your last name. I will post your letter on the WEB page, I bet you will find that you have many friends that wish you well also.

Mike DeIeso, once called me a "bleeding Heart" because I always had a belief that there is more good in people than sometimes shows through. And, I believe most of our fellow 'retirees' are the finest people I could have spent my lifetime of working with. I am sure you fit that bill. Get well. Hope to hear form you.
Tony C.

From Tony Cucurullo

http://www.pierce-evans.org/wwiimemorial.htm

Friends,
If you haven't tried Pierce Evans Web site as yet, you are missing out on one of the great 'web pages'.
I have heard some adverse comments made about Pierce's "joy for jokes" column. As he states, "if you find material offensive close your eyes while reading."
What ever you think about the man, he is one hell'uva patriot. I never met Pierce, but he most welcome in my home. I am reading his column on his book, "The Shroud" it is about the Shroud of Touring, the icon that is imprinted on a cloth, and many believe it is the image of Jesus Christ. You might want to read it.
His drive now for the "National Monument for the World War 11 veterans to be constructed in Washington, DC. is to be commended. He severed through hell in the "Battle of the Bulge" so he knows first hand about sacrifice. I am proud that he is a member of CBS-Retirees.

Read his award wining page. It has many features, such as find out who your congressman or Senator is.

I never met the man...but I wish I had.
Tony c

From Tony Cucurullo

You were a ham even when I worked with you and your partner. Hi, Sid, I thought you could be Sid Gassner, or any other Sidney. Chico, is renovating your house. He is building another extension on it, to house his Mother-in-law.
Stay healthy..............Tony C.

From Howie Purnick

How come the low element trash, far below management, middle (ugh)management, production and talent came to be called: TECHNICIANS ??

It is a designation from ancient romance languages that refers to people who repair: TECHNOFIXEMUPS, From which the prefix "TECH" was adapted. Later was added the second syllable "NIC" from the latin NICOSWELLO meaning nice person, who might loan one a drachma or two. Finally, the last part of the word was added, the "IAN" from the armenian, meaning "to make money at, to steal, swindle or con. Combine it all to spell - TECHNICIAN, a word we are all totally familiar with.
Source: The TEDZ Book of Unnecessary Information!!

Love and smiles: Howie P.

From Tony Cucurullo

I didn't but I am glad you did. Now make up your own list.
Thanks Tony c.

Received May 24, 2001:

From Barry Follet

Fly the friendly Skies Right!

All too rarely do airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight "safety lecture" and their other announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:

On a Continental Flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot said: "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants."

On landing the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all your belongings. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's something we'd like to have."

"There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out off this airplane."

"Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."

As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Washington National, a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"

After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced, "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted."

>From a Southwest Airlines employee: "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight XXX to YYY. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and
pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised."

"In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one small child, pick your favorite."

"Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines."

"Your seat cushions can be used for flotation; and, in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."

"Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the bag over your own mouth and nose before assisting children... or other adults acting like children."

"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."

And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Delta airlines is pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"

Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in Salt Lake City: The flight attendant came on the intercom and said: "That was quite a bump, and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault...it was the asphalt!"

Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our air plane to the gate!"

Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."

An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the Passengers exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying XYZ airline." He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said,
"Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?" "Why no Ma'am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we land or were we shot down?"

After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the Flight Attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Capt. Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we'll open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal."

Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of US Airways."

From Gayle DePoli

CPR for yourself.

Let's say it's 6:15 p.m. and you're driving home (alone of course), after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and frustrated.

Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home, unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. What can you do? You've been trained in CPR but the guy that taught the course neglected to tell you how to perform it on yourself.

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE
Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, (this article seemed in order.) Without help, the person whose heart stops beating properly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness.

However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is to be beating normally again.

Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain
normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.

Tell as many other people as possible about this, it could save their lives!

From Health Cares, Rochester General Hospital via Chapter 240's newsletter AND THE BEAT GOES ON ... (reprint from The Mended Hearts, Inc. publication, Heart Response)

From Pierce Evans

Tony,

Any ex SEAL is ok in my book and welcome in my home any time. .....and thanks for the plug

From Harold Deppe

Hi Tony.
You Said in your last E. Mail that Les...Adrian...and Perzeszty were doing a great Job. They sure are but so are You, but all this is wasted Time if there is no input from the Guys .Just look at the Date of the last input to the Webb page.It was 5..13
You started something great but like High Definition Television its not going anywhere.
Best Regards.
Harold Deppe

From Les Burkhardt

I surmise that, from Harold Deppe's email, we will also have to start putting the date on the photos to indicate when we posted them.....Right!

I received an email from one of our retiree's but was unable to open the contents, he had sent it in a MS WORKS format. Hopefully, this will help you to send me articles for presentation to the Web Page. The Three most commonly used word processing programs are, MS WORD, Word Perfect, and MS Works. As stated to open this paragraph I cannot open the contents of a MS Works file. However, there is a simple way to send a file to me that you have written in the MS Works program. After you have completed the file for the Web Page; on your task bar click 'File' then click 'Save as' a new window should appear. There is a drop down box just under the file name (I think it will say 'Save as Type') that will allow you to select different save formats. Click the down arrow, select either the latest version of MS WORD or the latest version of WORD PERFECT. Address an email to me and attach that file to the email. I will do my darndest(?) to see that your file is posted on the Web Page.

Regarding Tony's list of the top Technicians in the various categories. I am amazed not to see such notable names as: Frank Florio, Stan Mitchell, John Treisner and Leo Kurunaki. Or, how about a list of the not so great individuals, maybe they could be nameless and just share the incident that makes them eligible for such recognition.

From Tony Cucurullo

For the Hams

1000 MARBLES

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.

A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the basement shack with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning, turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time.

Let me tell you about it. I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business.

He was telling whomever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles." I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say. "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well, but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet.
Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital. He continued, "Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities."

And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles." "You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years. Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime.

"Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part."

"It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail"; he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy!"

"So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in the sack next to my gear. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away." "I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focus more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight." "Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time."

"It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. 75 year Old Man, this is K9NZQ, clear and going QRT,good morning!"

You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.

Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss.

"C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast." "What brought this on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids.

Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles....

Received May 25 2001:

From Fred Schutz

Hi Guys

Have names for Photo # 349

Ruppert Baron
Ron Moskowitz
Barbara Moskowitz
June Rennert
Charlie Rennert

Freddie S.

*** Tnx again, Freddie ----Adrian

From Tony Cucurullo

Please excuse all the typo's that read on my return paper. I generally write during the night as I don't sleep much, and I am in the dark mostly, and also being quiet so as not to wake Godzilla. (She's adorable in the morning after her coffee)

I hope to clear up some points on this RECOGNITION of talent idea.

Gayle DePoli, asked me in BOLD TYPE. "HOW COULD I LEAVE OUT FRANK FLORIO"
I really couldn't, and I did it to get a reaction. Only I wish it was sent to the page, and not to me. Leaving Frank Florio out of any list would be a mistake, It is like leaving
Joe DiMaggio out of the 'All-time Great Outfielders' in anyone's list of great baseball players.

But, I thought someone would write and offer their list of 'Talent" You could send in any name you choose. It wouldn't be a letdown for anyone. Heck, you could vote for yourself?

Do it, send in a list of names in any group you care to make.

Les, asked, "How could I leave off, Leo Kuranoki." Another great friend of mine. But, I would have to include Leo in a group of "Great Managers" He was one of the finest friends I ever had in my life.

Maintenance men, will have a hard time for they are mostly very good technicians, but, on second thoughts you will find that some of them belong in a special category...think about it?

I am sure you will find this is a way of noticing the efforts that made these people a step up on the ladder of success.

Supervisors that I worked for would be :
(1)    Neal Curtis
(2)    George Smith
(3)    Greg O'Connor
(4)    Tony Tobia
(5)    Bob Wilson

Technical Directors:
(1)    Charles D'Onfrio
(2)    Charles Lyons
(3)    Emile Husni
(4)    Bob Dailey
(5)    Bob Brown

Directors:
(1)    Bob Myrun

Assistant Directors:   spelling apologies
(1)    Joel Aronowitz
(2)    Port Paget
(3)    Len Ufland
(4)    Bob Schwartz
(5)    Bro Herod    Frank Flannery

Stage Managers:
(1)    Snooks O'Brien
everyone else is second

From William White

Tony; You forgot the best of the best video op. Frank Florio

From Jay Chichon

Les in Photo #349, left background in blue jacket....that looks like it might be Rupert Baron....former TV stage manager at CBS-TV.
Best regards....Jay.

From Tony Cucurullo

This is make up for the Toilet Cleaning suggestions
Tony

Lawn Care
Taking care of your lawn does not have to be a big job. It's more a matter of
doing the right things at the right time to keep it looking lush. Here are a
few tips:

Instead of bagging lawn clippings, buy a mulching lawn mower. The blade on this mower cuts and redistributes the cut grass back on to your lawn, to act as a fertilizer. If you can't spring for a new lawn mower, nearly any mower can be converted with an adapter blade for just a few dollars. Cut down on nitrogen treatments. The mulch will naturally return nitrogen to your soil, saving you application time and money. Mow your lawn frequently. Because mowing prevents grass from setting seeds, it encourages grass to become lush and thick. Don't cut the grass too short. Root length corresponds to grass height so allowing your grass to grow a little longer will help it to develop a good root system. Tests show that cutting about 1/3 of the height off of the grass will produce the best results. Anymore and it can cause damage. Do not cut grass when it is damp from rain or dew. Mowing will be uneven and it can also cause clumps of grass to block light from patches in the lawn.
Alternate mowing patterns for even wear. Constantly mowing in the same direction makes the soil compact and can create visible wear patterns.
Then sit back...relax and do what gardeners do best...just watch the grass grow.

From Tony Cucurullo

Some more goodies.
Tony C

Water azaleas with a blend of two tablespoons of vinegar and a quart of water. The acid content will cause them to bloom profusely.
Slowly and safely get rid of weeds in flower beds by spraying them regularly with vinegar. Just pour it full strength into a spray bottle.
Ants follow a scent trail. So you can keep them from marching into the house by spraying doorways and window sills with full strength white vinegar.
Fill a clean dish detergent bottle with full strength vinegar then use it to treat grass and weeds that grow between bricks and cracks in the sidewalk.
Old decals on storm doors and windows can be removed with a warm cup of vinegar. Use a paint brush and continue to apply several coats until the adhesive is loosened.
Gardeners can remove the white deposits from terra cotta flower pots bycleaning them with a solution of vinegar and water.
Vinegar can make an excellent first aid treatment for outdoor mishaps. Spray or rub it on your skin to soothe bee stings or the pain of a sunburn.
So the next time you're working outdoors, think about versatile vinegar to help you get the job done.

[From Les] I have found that a treatment for stings and bites is to use WD-40 especially here in the south with our large amounts of fire ants. As a repellent for mosquitoes, we have found that lathering the skin with Dr. Bronner's Liquid Peppermint Castile Soap works well. But as a caution after using the Dr. Bronners wash the hands well before touching the eyes or genitalia.

Received May 26 2001:

From Tony Cucurullo

      Mike Poulas worked at the United Nations. He was an audio man.
      These are the salient facts about the person Michael Poulas, but that doesn't define the man.
      He was a renaissance man. His personality was infectious, it soothed the paths for these egocentric diplomats of the UN that he was required to deal with.
      His position there afforded him the opportunity to traverse the world. There he met and dined with,.....captains and kings, .........and paupers, and everyday people.
His viewpoint was a mosaic of these varied cultures.

      Arnie Rosenzweig, Fred Schutz, are just two of the many talented people that knew Mike before they came to CBS from working at the UN.

      When I was laid-off in the era 1961-1963 and was living the per-diem life. I was fortunate enough to hook up with a small group of men that have become like brothers to me. We traveled the country doing all manner of shows.

      Dave Paine (CBS) was the Eidiphor Projector operator. I did the Camera, Mike Kaufman (CBS), did the video, TobyFedder (Sag/DGA) was our Stage Manager, Angelo 'Chic' Gulino (CBS), was the audio man, along with Mike Poulas (UN).

      In those days we had to share hotel rooms. Mike and I were roomies. To say the least, we became fast friends. As we did with the others in the group.       We always contacted each other whenever we heard about work. That was and is the way of the per-diem world.
      The camaraderie between us grew even as the years have faded into posterity.
      Toby Fedder is directing somewhere, in the other world. Mike Kaufman, now lives in Oregon. Chic Gulino, lives in the West DavePaine, (who is descended from the, Tom Paine of American History), is living the life of a Squire, ...hopefully.

      Mike and his wife Helen settled down to enjoy the waning years in Florida. We would exchange visits, each year.
      Mike is a voracious reader. His menu is varied, though he likes biographies and also the histories of the Eastern world.
      But this erudite, happy go-lucky person,who always loved to mingle with people, and people loved to have Mike for company, never failed to enjoy life. He enjoyed all humor.
      When I roomed with Mike, I wasn't aware that he did not have use of his left arm. He disguised it very well. He never begged off of an assignment for
loading or unloading all of the heavy equipment used on remotes.

      Mike lost the use of his arm in the battle for the Philippines during WW 11. His citation for the, Silver Star, that here ceived, reads; "While under heavy enemy fire, Michael Poulas, called for continuous bombarding of the enemy." He was within range of the shelling and knew that he might get hit. It happened, a bullet remaind in his lung, and he opted to not have it removed. That did not change the indomitable spirit of this wonderful man.

      Today I lost a dear friend, a brother...really. The world lost his infectious laugh.

      Helen, his beautiful wife, lost a companion, and her Valentine.

This is one story,......... I never wanted to tell... Gosh!

      It takes the Wisdom of Solomon to accept and understand this sadness.

    Yet with all the knowledge that we have at our disposal we can not fathom that area beyond the 'Black Curtain.'

      Let us hope that when we pass into that realm there is a great surcease from our trials and tribulations.

To all my CBS friends, .......Michael Poulas, would have fit nicely into our........... CBS Family.

Tony C.

From Fred Schutz

Hi Tony

Its always sad to hear that one of our good friends has passed on but Mike Poulas was a special case....

I knew and worked with mike way before i joined CBS...Mike and I worked together in 1949 at the United Nations in Lake success,NY ,before they moved to New York City.

I especially remember working with Mike when we were assigned to studio operations..We were a 2 man team, Mike worked the audio-mixing console and i did the audio tape editing on the early Ampex 1/4 machines.. These studio productions it seems now, went on for ever ..What made it a pleasure was working with mike ... here was a sensitive kind soul.....never a harsh word..... full of fun and laughter.. But when one had to produce, one would never know that Mike had no use of
his left arm... It never got in his way of doing in most cases a better job than those with full facilities...

Mike never worked for CBS but I'm sure if her did he would be up at the top of the list of talented audio operators....He would fit the Mold of CBS...

I never heard Mike complain about his war injuries but we have lost a good friend and a war hero, who was a tribute to his country, we all can look up to...

Freddie S.

From BJ & Sig Meyers

Dear Tony;

In April I visited Australia. While in Brisbane, I noticed large banners stretched across the road and along the major streets that proclaimed April 25th as ANZAC Day with the words, "We Will Never Forget". (ANZAC day is their Memorial Day).(ANZAC - Australian/New Zealand Forces) At our hotel, we were told that there would be a sunrise service at the War Memorial a few blocks away. I got up at 3AM and walked from the hotel down to the town square. There were 20,000 people there at 4AM !!! All of the men were dressed in suits and ties.... There were were families with small children.. Most of the people there were young people. Veterans wore their medals.. When the bugler sounded Taps, there was complete silence!! I was wearing my baseball hat with my parachute wings and the lapel pins for my Silver
Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart and an Aussie vet came up to me and asked me where I had served. I told him that in 1943 I was in New Guinea. He took my hand and thanked me for fighting along side of the ANZACs.and stopping the Japs from invading his country. Imagine being thanked for doing what we all felt we had to do during the war so many years ago. I was so moved that it brought tears to my eyes.. Tomorrow is Memorial Day and there will be a rush to get to the stores for the
sales.. There will be a 15 second clip on TV and maybe some war movies on the late shows. Perhaps even a story or two on page ten of the local newspaper. It wasn't always that way. I remember before WWII when I was a Boy Scout and my troop marched in the Memorial Day parade in Paterson, New Jersey.. I remember the few remaining Civil War Vets sitting in the back of a big Packard convertible.. The Spanish American vets marching in front of the WWI vets. We put American flags on each of the headstones at the local military cemetery and spent the entire day remembering the men and women who gave their lives so that we could live free... It is so sad that we can not pass on all of these memories and experiences to the younger people today.

Beat regards, Sig Meyers

Received May 28 2001:

From Pierce Evans (received after my last posting)

Hi Guys,

My recent E-Mail about the National WWII Memorial resulted in this exchange with Tony Hillerman.
( The name may ring a bell. Tony was an infantryman in the 103d Infantry Division in WWII .... but he is also a Best Selling author, making the New York Times top ten list with several of his books.)

==============

From:
Pierce Evans
Mon 2:43 PM

Subject:
National WWII Memorial Delayed

A small group of malcontents is in court, and at it again, this time challenging all of the recent work of the National Capital Planning Commission on a technicality. Their main purpose is to permanently block the construction of the National WWII Memorial on the mall in Washington, DC. They are concerned that the memorial might be an impediment to mass demonstrations on the mall. For the whole story click here:

http://www.pierce-evans.org/wwiimemorial.htm

We are presently losing 1,100 WWII vets PER DAY.

You can help get this memorial finished while there are still a few of us left to enjoy it. Follow the instructions on this site to learn how.

===================

From:
Tony Hillerman
Tue 2:49 PM

Subject:
       Re: National WWII Memorial Delayed
    To:
       Pierce Evans

Dear Pierce:
Being an ex-rifle company infantry grunt in WWII, (Silver Star, Bronze Srar with oak leaf cluster, and Purple Heart, plus a bad ankle and one bad eye to help me remember it), I have discussed the notion of the WWII memorial with the old timers with whom I play poker. The vets [a marine who lost much of one hand on Saipan, an artillery FO who went all the way from Guadacanal to Manila (wounded there) and an B24 tail gunner who spent much of his time sitting around in England] usually don't agree on much of anything. But every single one of them thought the proposed memorial was a waste of money. Nary a one of them, including myself and my brother (now deceased) who flew those awful CG4a gliders, wanted it. In effect their notion was since we had too many dead to do the Viet Nam thing, let us let History be our memorial. That's my position. It has seemed to me that those I know who glory in war are not the ones who froze their butts in foxholes or were otherwise out
there doing the killing,

But maybe I'm wrong. tony hillerman

==================
Tony,

That is an interesting group that you play poker with. You all have WWII and it's world wide horrors as a common thread in your lives and it is
no coincidence that you have bonded together.

There is NO glory in war, and this memorial will not glorify war . . . . .But it will glorify you and your poker buddies, and everyone else in our generation who made sacrifices, big and small, that freedom might survive. Don't knock the tail gunner. Fate put him where he didn't have to freeze his butt off in a foxhole. He could get a hot bath almost daily. . . but we lost a lot of tail gunners,too, . . . . many on their first mission. Fate dealt different hands to all of us. Not everyone could win a Silver
Star, or a Purple Heart for that matter but what is important is that we all played the hands we were dealt and pulled together in man's greatest undertaking. This memorial is not just for the infantry grunts. This memorial honors all who contributed to that cause, whether on the homefront or on the battlefield. It honors all who played the hands they were dealt, as well as they could, and did the best they could, wherever they happened to be.

As to History being our memorial ...... don't count on it.

Have you visited a High School lately and looked at today's history books?

WWII?

What was THAT?

===================

Dear Pierce--

Alas, you make some damn good points. One of our poker players told us of being asked by a graduate student if we'd been in any wars between the Spanish American and Gulf Storm. He thought she was kidding until he listed Philippine Insurrection, WWI and II, Korea, and Viet Nam, and she expressed genuine surprise. For me, I am surprised at college age young folks who ask me about my purple heart license plate, ask me what war, and seem to know nothing about it except the Pearl Harbor attack. So maybe you're right. But the only war memorial I ever liked was that black war memorial in Washington listing the names of all the dead children. tony hillerman

==================

Tony,

Yes, they were children, OUR children. Viet Nam was a terrible, bloody, and unappreciated experience.The ones who made it through were deeply hurt by the abusive treatment they received upon their return home. Many have never recovered from the wounds they received in Nam and back home, so lets give special honor to them this Memorial Day.

--
Pierce Evans

http://www.pierce-evans.org/index.shtml

[Les] I felt this was an important to add to the web site in lieu of the announcements this day out of Washington about the Memorial.

From Joe Janovsky

Hi Les,
In photo #347, the people at the left are Anna Pausche and Rudy Pausche.

The best audio man at CBS was B. A. Taylor.
73, Joe J.

***Thank you, Joe; duly noted and posted. --------Adrian

From Tony Cucurullo

We have all heard the haunting song "TAPS." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song?

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men hear Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or a Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward the encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with stock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son.

The boy had been studying music in the south when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth/s uniform. This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as TAPS used a military funeral, was born.

Verse 1:                              Verse 2                      Verse 3
    Day is done.                        Fading light               Thanks and praise
    Gone the Sun                      Dims the sight           For our days,
    From the lakes                    And a star                  Neath the sun,
    From the sky                       Gems the sky            Neath the stars
    All is well,                            From afar,                 As we go
    Safely rest                           Drawing night,          This we know
    God is nigh.                         Falls the night.          God is night.

God Bless America
Tony C.

From Bob Vernum

Les, I cannot believe some of the garbage I am reading on the retiree message page!! I am in full concurrence with Gail Depoli re video people particularly Frank Florio ,the accomplishments of this man would be far too lenghty to list-Frank stood in a class by himself Stan Mitchell was a close second followed by Dan Acker.
as far as td's go-----Ted Miller stood in a class by himself his popularity was not judged by his "out times" he still stands very tall in my mind. I will not go into camera, there were simply many many great ones. My main objection is, it seems to me the person judging these groups is not in a position to be qualified to do so since he was never in a position of supervision where he could observe their performance. I do admire the attempt but I think it does a huge disservice to the unmentioned. why he is so enamored with people who performed their function on the stage and all but ignores the folks who got the shows on and off the air. I would be guilty of the same if i didn't mention maintenance and audio where there are so many deserving of plaudits many who are no longer with us---I feel this "nomination" would have been better served if it could simply be in the memories of those of us who remember them.
sincerely and fraternally, BOB VERNUM

[Les] Bob, I do not wish to denigrate your feelings; but at the present time I, me only, feel that with the dispersion of our ranks and the loss of our ranks this is the most accommodating vehicle for us, the CBS retirees, to express out thoughts and feelings about our times at CBS. I've read about and have heard first person about the disappointment in the dwindling ranks at the Luncheons. Again, what else do we have but the web page to communicate through. The web page is just about a year old at this time, and it was started to give us a way to communicate without jamming up the email boxes of some of the people who are on the email list that I maintain. You have been a contributor to the web page and I hope that you will continue to submit items. I have also delayed on posting your Marathon photo while awaiting more photos. I need 4 more to complete a row. Maybe this will motivate others to send something to me.. I sure hope so. In closing I must recall a remark that I have heard many times. "One persons garbage is another persons Treasure"

Thank you very much for your input. To all others, loosen up those fingers and send me some items.

***[From Adrian] Very well said, Les. Each individual is going to have his own personal "all-star" list, depending on where he was when and who he knew. Glad to see we're getting more than one list.

From Marty Solomon

Tony
I was just thinking about an unusually rough flight to a remote in which I was EIC.
The flight was very bad and I leaned over to ask you if you would lend me your rosary. You said no. Then I asked if you would consider some sort of rental
agreement.

Love to Paula

Marty Solomon

From Pierce Evans

Hi Guys,

This morning, as is my custom, I went to the Memorial Day Services at the St. Augustine National Cemetery.

It was a moving experience.

During the past seven or eight years there has been a gradual decline in the attendance at the Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Veterans Day ceremonies. I was beginning to think that the American People no longer cared about the sacrifices that earlier generations had made for their precious freedom.

But today was different.

This was the largest gathering that I can ever recall......two or three times the last crowd.

People do care after all.

There are other indications, too.

My website reached 8000 hits today. . . .a lot for this kind of site.
....the hit rate is increasing, and I get lots of feedback, too.

Spent much of the day, today, giving my website a whole new look, and adding new stuff. Check it out.

And some great news. Congress, tired of the delaying tactics of a group of obstructionists, overwhelmingly passed a law requiring completion of the National WWII Memorial. Today, Mermorial Day, George W. signed it into law ....... so it may be completed before the entire WWII generation is gone.

Now if we could just get some rain down here to relieve this drought it would be a near perfect day.

--
Pierce Evans

http://www.pierce-evans.org/index.shtml

From George Klimcsak

Hello Tony..I'm sending to you because I have been having a problem with a virus in my E-Mail..I'm not sure this information should come to you or the web Site or whatever. At this time of year with all going on around the nation with Memorial day, it has been hectic because
I have become involved with VFW and the American Legion since retiring...we find must Veterans and the public do not want to get involved with Memorial day, But, that is another story.

I think it has been a great move by you for us to make a choice as to whom has made a great impression while at CBS.. You must also remember, technicians worked in studios etc. and some worked in field operations.... I think some did well in both operations, and then again some did not survive in field operations.

CAMERA Overall.
Harold Hoffman
Walt Diniear
Frank McCormick
Pat Finn
Stan Gould

VIDEO Overall
Frank Florio
Norm Ferro
Paul Lanini
Frank Vilot
Lou Ledger

Audio Overall
Al Bressan
Larry Schneider
Thomas Jimenez
Bob Taylor
Pete Reed

Graphics Overall
Charles Carlucci
Howard Pernick
Mike Singer

Video Tape Overall
George Magee
Ed Meitzler
Fred Pinciaro
Louis Liotta
Hank Weiland

TONY it is getting late and it has been a long day with Marching and other Veteran Functions...we will continue at some other
time...Keep up the great work and time you put into his wonderful operation.

Your good friend and all George Klimcsak

Received May 31 2001:

From Bob Vernum

Les, I sincerely hope you didn't take my remarks personally!
I have just tired of people pontificating their opinions on what should be an open and intelligent forum. My interest in the retiree forum is waning, I will not stand by while so many talented people are ignored or worse forgotten!
I can identify with Harold Deppe, he and many others including you were cogs in the wheel of broadcast center and it's success in the industry. Again just getting tired of hearing of "not best" in categories, just" most popular".you are certainly at liberty to put this on the web I sincerely wish you would!! fraternally BOB VERNUM

[Les} Not taken personally? just had to air out a little bit.

From Joe Janovsky

Hi Les,
I have an audio tape of excerpts from the short lived Steve Lawrence Show of the fall of 1965.
The show originated in studio 41set up with a grandstand for the audience. It was on live Monday evenings. This particular show (10/18/65) features country music stars as guests. The audio is by B. A. Taylor. Still sounds good after all these years. If anyone would like a copy of this, I'll burn a CD for you, just drop me a line by e-mail.
73 de Joe J. w2ovf

From Tony Cucurullo

          I have the feeling that the spirit of friendliness is slipping a little. It seems that one of us is getting up tight about being left off the, "Mantle of greatness list."
    How pompous it would be to assume that only those that achieved a supervisor position should make the choices for any list.
          That would preclude the elections of Presidents. You see Bob; just us ordinary folk are given the responsibility to elect a President of the United States. But, I may have failed to realize that the Presidency doesn't quite measure up to the standards of Technical Directors.
          Lighten up; I deliberately left off the OBVIOUS names to get a response from people that would not ordinarily send in any correspondence.

          As Les, knows it is difficult to keep this column going. He and Adrian do the technical magic to make this page work.
    Another thing this page will not go down in history as a, "Gospel" according to Tony Cucurullo.

          But, when some scholar, some time in the future, finds this embedded in cave off the coast of the new Continent named AmeXinaDa, in year of 10^69. And they decipher the page May 28, your contribution will still be recorded as one of the hostile primitive people known as SUPERVISOR.

Tony C.
ordinary technician

[Les] I feel that it is a hard thing to make a just decision as to who is the "best" of anything. I cannot judge camera persons, nor audio persons and even TD's, I was somewhat a late comer to the Television Broadcast industry, and altho I recognize the names I did not work with them. Sure, I have in mind some of the best and worst that I worked with. I'm sure others do also, if you would like your thoughts presented on the Web page send them to me.

Some of my best selections, this does not include the previous 3 that I mentioned, are: Joe Strano, Irwin Solow, Ernie Lowe, Al Charters, Pete Deller, Paul Hille and Dick Fallek. Please note that all of these were techs in central technical maintenance.

The worst, no names, the one who said at a hearing "you know me Les, I don't lie" that in itself was a lie. The tech who poured honey into peoples desk drawers. The ones that stole and were caught, how in the world could they give up a lifetime earning for some $400 piece of electronic equipment. That is just a sampling.

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