101st Airborne Division - New England Area Chapter


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PROUD TO BE

AIRBORNE!


WHAT'S NEW?

U.S. ARMY 250TH BIRTHDAY

Let us not forget the birthday of the United States Army: June 14, 1775. The Anniversary is being celebrated at Gillette Stadium the evening of June 14, 2025 (which is also Flag Day).

Here's a link to the Boston event: https://uni.swoogo.com/army/

Tickets are still on sale!


IN MEMORIAM -- ARTHUR BROWN
December 13, 2024

We are very sad to announce the passing of our Vietnam War Combat Medic member Arthur Brown of NH. Prior to the Covid epidemic, we occasionally held our meetings at the 401 Tavern in Hampton NH. On those occasions, we were delighted to see Arthur arrive. He was a very happy, congenial guy. We are just now learning of his passing and having missed his memorial service, wish to convey our belated sympathies to his family. Click here for the obituary from the Rochette Funeral Home in Nashua.

IN MEMORIAM -- HARRY Z. KAGELEIRY
July 20, 2023

We just this week learned of the passing of our distinguished Korean War veteran member Harry Z. Kageleiry at the age of 90. Click here for the obituary from the Purdy Funeral Service website.

IN MEMORIAM -- RICHARD "DICK" POCKWINSE
October 26, 2024

We are very sad to announce the passing of our Past President and member Richard "Dick" Pockwinse. Dick had many good friends in both the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, but his best friend of all is his lovely wife Shirwin (shown together at left from our 2022 Cookout). Our collective hearts go out to her and the rest of his family during this painful time. His big smile, roaring laugh, friendship, and leadership will never be forgotten. Click here for the obituary in the Cape Cod Times.

Update - 11/14/2024 As reported by our Sergeant-at-Arms, Bill Blankenburg: "We said our last farewell to our Dear Comrade and Friend Dick Pockwinse this past Friday. A beautiful funeral service was conducted in his honor at the Redemption Rock Church in South Chatham Massachusetts, followed by a grave side service at the National Cemetery in Bourne. Dick served his country as a Proud Paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division and later as a past President of both the LTG James Gavin Chapter 82nd Airborne Division Association and the New England Chapter of the 101st Airborne Division Association. Chapter President Bob Morrissey made a special trip from his home in SC to be present for the service. Dick's beautiful wife Shirwin and his family were present as well as his loving friends of both the 82nd and 101st. He will be very much missed by us all."

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New England Chapter Celebrates 101-year-old Member Taylor Larimore in FL
October 23, 2024 -- Updated April 25, 2025**

In the words of Chapter President Bob Morrissey: "On 23 Oct 2024, I had the distinct Honor and Privilege to meet Taylor Larimore, our only WWII member with whom we have contact. Mr. Larimore served with HHC 2/502 PIR 101st ABN DIV. as a radio operator for the 81 MM mortar platoon during the Battle of the Bulge Dec. 1944 to Jan. 1945.
Read more:
    The N.E. Chapter had a plaque made courtesy of Bill Blankenburg, our Sergeant-at-Arms, to commemorate Mr. Taylor Larimore for his service to our great country and the 101st ABN. Div.
     I worked with his son Michael Larimore, who was very helpful along with his lovely wife Joyce to make this possible. The Plaque was presented to Taylor after a great dinner at the assisted living facility he resides at.
     Taylor is a real character and great person to know, as is his son Michael. I can't say enough about them.
Congratulations, Taylor."
"Airborne All the Way"
The N.E. Chapter 101st ABN Div. Assn (See PHOTOS page for more images.)

(Editor's Note: Taylor turned 101 years old on 25 Jan 2025, which coincidentally was the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Bulge in 1945.)

**NEW PICTURE! Easter 2025

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New England Chapter Welcomes its Most Senior NEW MEMBER: Richard Henry Hamilton
June 26, 2024

In late May 2024, New Hampshire Army Recruiter, SSG Zach Buffington (a fellow Veteran of the 101st Airborne Division), reached out to our member LTC (RET) Greg d’Arbonne and said 1SG (Ret) Frank Wetherby approached him about a WW II Veteran who was 101 years and asked if it was possible to make him an Associate Member of the 101st Paratroopers, now the 101st Airborne Association. The Veteran, Mr. Richard Henry Hamilton, was going to be honored at a dinner on 26 June at 1630 (4:30 PM) at the Post 5 American Legion, 32 Linden St, Brattleboro, VT. Mr. Hamilton’s family would also be in attendance.

Read more:

Mr. Hamilton’s biography is attached. He was in the Army Air Corps from 1939 to 1945, serving in the 401st Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force as a radio operator/gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. Their aircraft was attacked by a group of FW-190's and ME-109's over Germany. The aircraft was so severely damaged they had to bail out. Of a nine man crew, Mr. Hamilton and four others got out via parachute, which in actuality qualifies them for a combat jump.

He spent 10 months as a POW in German Stalag Luft IV, Gross Tychow, in Pomerania, Poland. After liberation by the Soviets (and a harrowing 77-day ordeal trekking back to American lines), Mr. Hamilton returned to the US and settled in the Brattleboro, VT area where he married and raised a family.

Up the chain the request went. First to New England Chapter President Bob Morrissey who wholeheartedly approved and initiated creation of a Lifetime Membership Card. He notified National Executive Director, Randal Underhill, who enthusiastically issued a Proclamation and Letter on June 18. Greg attended the event, accompanied by New England Chapter Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Blankenburg and member Don Miller, and made our presentations. See PHOTOS page.

We welcome Richard Henry Hamilton to our ranks!


Do you want to become a member of The 101st Airborne Division Association?

Being a member of the National Chapter helps preserve and strengthen friendships through annual reunions, chapter activities, and free online access to the quarterly magazine, The Screaming Eagle. You become part of all the great things we do and represent such as our Screaming Eagle Foundation. The Foundation offers scholarships totaling upwards of $50,000 a year to family members of our members dating back to WWII. Additionally our Screaming Eagle Support Program provides monetary grants to assist the needs of the lower enlisted, active duty Screaming Eagles. You can join the National Chapter for as little as $30 a year.
Click here for the National Membership Website.

Membership in the New England Chapter brings you closer socially to local comrades-in-arms and provides an opportunity for your ongoing connection to the 101st.

E-Mail us
to request more information about joining our Association
or use our Application for Membership form.


Our meetings are now held at Bailey's Bar & Grille, 18 Main Street, Townsend MA.

Our next business meeting will be on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

NOTE: The "Members Only" page was updated May 10, 2025 and the "Photos" page was updated April 25, 2025.


Mission Accomplished: Route 101 — "Screaming Eagles Highway" in New Hampshire!

On October 18, 2014, a large group of the New England Chapter members—and guests—were present at the dedication ceremony for the signage for Highway 101 in Auburn NH.

Click here for a copy of the Bill, NH SB15.


Community Affairs/Sponsorships


Fisher House Foundation

Fisher House Boston

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. Fisher House donates "comfort homes", built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.
Click here to read more about Fisher House.

The New England Chapter of the 101st Airborne is proud to sponsor this organization.
We ask you to join us in supporting their unique and meaningful efforts.


OFFICIAL NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER  Logo Merchandise
Supply chain issues have hit us along with everybody else! We have limited amounts of items and are not sure when we will be able to get more.

Also, we must stop paying shipping charges — and are very sorry about that. Email Bob Morrissey to ask what's still available.


TAPS:  New England Eagles Who Have Soared—June 10, 2023


ARCHIVED STORIES

  In Memoriam -- Richard Henry "Murph" Murphy, Jr. and CSM Robert M. Delia

  In Memoriam -- Denzil "Denny" Drewry

In Memoriam -- Tony Toland

Memorial Day 2022

Vietnam War Remembrances