101st Airborne Association — New England Chapter

**Cookout 2025 — at Clear Path for Veterans Facility", Devens MA**
This year's Cookout, our first as guests of the Clear Path facility, was a great success! We had 50+ hungry attendees who consumed 60 Chapter-donated Bubba-burgers and 64 Kayems, 150 of Matt Callahan's chicken wings and a patriotically-decorated cake donated by Blink's granddaughter, Jennifer Pinard. Our Pot Luck table overfloweth with tasty items transported carefully to us from all ends of New England. Thanks to all the chefs for that! Raffle items were everything from A to Z. With the help of Brenda, the Raffle went very well, and the big winners were Marla and Ranger Rob. We have been invited back for next year. That's always a good thing! Happy Summer, everyone!
Clear Path Building == the former Ft. Devens Hospital	Clear Path Entrance	President Bob Morrissey reads the Plan of Action for the day's events.
Gary Soldato opens the Clear Path plaque.	Bob Morrissey, Matt Callahan, and Gary Soldato after Clear Path plaque presentation.	Gary reads the plaque
President Bob and SAA Blink exchanging witty comments with Gary	Preparing to present Certificate of Appreciation to Gary	VP Tony Payne accepting his plaque in appreciation of his commitment to the Chapter
Certificiates of Appreciation to Matt Callahan and Gary Soldato for their work on this event	Pot Luck Food Table	Steve Morrissey, Tom McGall, Elaine McGall (back to camera wearing Rakkasan Reunion t-shirt). Table in background to left has Diane Blankenburg, and Blankenburg guests (including their granddaughter Jennifer Pinard)
Gary Soldato's lovely spouse	Ranger Rob Botschafter, doing well after cancer surgery, entertaining Kevin and Bill Farrell	Gary Soldati's personal guests: Veterans of 101st AB in Afghanistan and Iraq
George LeBlanc, Steve Morrissey, and Gary's spouse...and guests of George and camera-shy Brenda	Blankenburg guests	Our guest, Joe Landry, 82nd AB, WWII veteran, with Don Miller and Linda Magee

HAPPY EASTER FROM TAYLOR LARIMORE!
April 20, 2025
Taken at his residence, "The Palace" (L-R): Jeff Larimore, unidentified female guest, Taylor, Michael Larimore and wife Joyce

**We Celebrate Taylor Larimore! — October 23, 2024**
Taylor and Bob with Plaque	Son Michael, Taylor, and Bob	Cousin Taylor, Taylor, and Bob
A fine Dinner	Plaque Text - click to enlarge	A priviledged task, completed with honor and pride.

**Cookout 2024 — at Blankenburg's Garage Bistro**
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President Bob Presentation to LTC (RET) Greg d'Arbonne	XXX	Special Guest Ken Roach
Special Guest Vern "Doc" Kellogg. SMAJ's lifesaving friend and medical professional.	Dog-faced Pony Soldier	XXX

Presentation to our Most Senior NEW MEMBER!
June 26, 2024
Official Card	101 years old Richard Hamilton listens to the presentation before he is made an Honorary Member of the 101st Airborne Division.	American Legion Post 5, Brattleboro, VT, watch the ceremony.
Bill Blankenberg, Don Miller and Linda Magee listening to the members of the American Legion Post 5, Brattleboro, VT talk about Mr. Hamilton.	Greg d'Arbonne, Bill Blankenberg and Don Miller conduct the presentation to Mr. Hamilton to make him an Honorary Member of the 101st Airborne Division.	Bill Blankenberg pins Airborne Wings on Mr. Hamilton in recognition of his combat jump over Germany when he had to bail out of his B-17, thus making him a Paratrooper.
Greg d'Arbonne, Bill Blankenberg and Don Miller conduct the presentation to Mr. Hamilton to make him an Honorary Member of the 101st Airborne Division.	: Mr. Hamilton with his family after the presentation.	Greg d'Arbonne, Bill Blankenberg, Don Miller and Linda Magee listening to the members of the American Legion Post 5, Brattleboro, VT talk about Mr. Hamilton.

**Cookout 2023 — at Blankenburg's Garage Bistro**
AATW!!!	Everyone's hungry!	MaryKay for the ladies...
...and hard stuff for everyone else!	Two Kevins: Farrell and McAdams	Lots of room in the shade to cook!
Cooking Committee.	Special Guest Vern "Doc" Kellogg. SMAJ's lifesaving friend and medical professional.	Prez Bob -- finally done at the Grill. Thank you, Bob!
SAA Blankenburg Presentation to LTC (RET) Greg d'Arbonne	The Plaque says it all! Thank you, Greg!	Greg shares the appreciation.

Film Clip: Greg d'Arbonne accepts his plaque.

**March 19, 2023 Gravesite Ceremony for CSM Robert M. Delia**
Gravestone1	Gravestone2	GravestoneBack2
CSM Delia when he joined the Army in 1948, and last official photo in 1978.	Terry Delia (w/ mask) attends his father's funeral. Friends of CSM Delia also in attendance, to include WW II Veteran Bob Smith (to the left w/ hat).	Ralph Metivier and David McAllister, who served with CSM Delia in Vietnam, fold the flag over the grave.
Bill Blankenburg presents the flag to CSM Delia's son, Terry.	Presentation to Terry Delia by Chapter 54 of the Special Forces Association.	Rev. Michael Rattin of the Faith Baptist Church in Hollis, NH provided the religious service at the funeral.
Friends of CSM Delia listen as Rev. Rattin reads scripture.	Friends bow their heads in prayer as Rev. Rattin provides a scripture reading.	Members of the Pepperell VFW Post provide a Color Guard at the funeral.
Friends of CSM Delia as Greg d'Arbonne provides words about CSM Delia.	Members of the Pepperell VFW Post provide a Color Guard at the funeral.	Presentation to Terry Delia by Chapter 54 of the Special Forces Association.
The Reverend Michael Rattin Speaks about CSM Delia.	Friends bow their heads in prayer as Rev. Rattin provides a scripture reading. (The person in front of Rev. Rattin is his son who is holding the microphone for him.)	Friends bow their heads in prayer as Rev. Rattin provides a scripture reading.

Film Clip: "The 4 Vets" singing "The Army Song". They are Chris Lussier, Kerry Spangler, Greg d'Arbonne, and Bruce Moran.

Photos by Cathie Clark and Tony Payne. Thanks to Greg d'Arbonne for writing the captions on each.

**Cookout 2022 — at Blankenburg's Garage Bistro**
AATW!!!	Our host: Bill "Blink" Blankenburg speaks	Cupcakes this year! Thanks, SMAJ!
Plenty of room - Near side Bistro view	Another View Blankenburg's Bistro.	Prez Bob's the Grillmaster again — but he has help from our special Guest Dan Winschel and past-Prez Tom McGall. Make mine medium-rare, guys!
Keeping an eye on the cars.	CSM Delia - Still kicking at 91 y.o.	CSM Delia's New Wheels —2016 Buick Cascada: Collector Car.
Web Administrator Cathie Clark and member Ed O'Reilly	Mrs. Blink (Diane), her son Eric and his fiancee Valerie	Elaine and Tom McGall, and Kevin Richardson
Kevin Richardson (101st past-Prez and long-time member) and Charlie Nelson (Coast Guard Vet)	Past-prez Dick Pockwinse and wife Shirwin. — They travelled by car all the way from the Cape on a Saturday! That's dedication!	VP Tony Payne and wife Donna
Guests from the 82nd: Combat Pathfinder Fran Buskoski and wife (she's the 82nd's Secretary) and Brian O'Connell (a/k/a Oakieseagles)	Blink and Bob thanked everyone for coming. Great turnout!	Our Guest: Green Beret, (Ret) Maj. Daniel Winschel former medic (18D) with 7th SFG(A) and 20th SFG(A). Friend of Blink.

Camera Shy: 82nd Chapter Chairman Bob Farrell (blue shirt, back to camera) and Christopher (AF Vet) and Joann Spilker (in background). Thanks for coming, folks!

WebAdmin Note: Thanks to Shirwin Pockwinse and Tony Payne for their great photo contributions!

March 20, 2021 — 90th Birthday Bash for
CSM Bob Delia at Bailey's
Can't wait to cut into this one!	Ralph Matevier, Bob Delia, Greg D'Arbonne, Dave Josselyn	Steve Morrissey, Tom McGall, Bob Morrissey, Don Miller, (Empty Chair: Photog Cathie Clark)
Matt Callahan, Denny Drewry, Blink Blankenburg, George LeBlanc	The Birthday Guy -- not bad for 90!!	Bob's Plaque
Bob receives his plaque from President Tom McGall.	A quick History of a life in the Army —in 30 minutes.	We appreciate your hospitality, Bailey's Bar & Grille
Blink presents the plaque to Pamela Mariano, Owner	Pam's reaction: "You guys JUMPED OUT OF PLANES???"	Chief One Feather (Dave Josselyn) tries to make off with the best gag gift.

**March 7, 2020 — Send-off Party for Bob Morrissey at Bailey's**
Our Squad	Ordering Frenzy	Decisions, decisions!
We're seeing double! New Members Kevin and Bill Farrell. (Note: Kevin's our new Treasurer)	Our Bailey's Celebrity Chef: Brad Hollowell, nephew of Band of Brothers' George Luz	Another plaque for Mr. Morrissey's collection. This one has its own helmet! Thanks for all you've done, Bob. We will MISS YOU!

**Cookout 2019 — at Chez Blink Bistro**
This year's cake!	Keeping cool out of the sun. 90 Degrees!	Bob's the Grillmaster in the shade
Waitin' for the burgers...	Garage Extraordinaire a/k/a Chez Blink Bistro	SMAJ's Eagle -- Donation to the Ft. Devens Museum

Cookout 2018

This year's cake!

Incoming and outgoing Presidents: Tom and Dick

Bob presents Blink with Plaque of Appreciation

Blink loves his Plaque!

Plaque presentation to Laura

Blink's ride

**Cookout 2018**
This year's cake!	Incoming and outgoing Presidents: Tom and Dick	Bob presents Blink with Plaque of Appreciation
Blink loves his Plaque!	Plaque presentation to Laura	Blink's ride

**Cookout 2017**
Two cakes this year: Cake #1	Cake #2	Music, booze, and ammo — who could want for more?
Ladies ready with the extinguishers	Laura and Tom don't BBQ	Hungry crowd!
SMAJ's appreciation speech	The Pockwinses	Who's that lady hiding from the camera?

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