Sandy’s Diary – Italy (and Poland) – Sat 26th

July to Thurs7th

August 2014

Sandy’s Rough Itinerary was:

Saturday Arrival – met by Aaron and Kristin Chat – Plan – dinner out

Sunday Visit Venice with Aaron and Kristin

Monday: 11am – 12.30 – Presentation. Fantastic Aeolia Restaurant with Officers Spec Tps Bn

Tuesday: 10am – 12 mid – Presentation. Lt John Deering. Dinner with Lucas & drinks at night

Wednesday: 10am – 12 mid – Presentation. Visited Soave Castle with Aaron. Rest at night

Thursday: Aaron checked speech. Interview & Brigade BBQ. Sports. Drinks at night – subbies

Friday: Dedication of Sigholtz Centre. Ball 5pm to Midnight – The Ball – talk for 30 min

Saturday: Drive to Poland – Drawsko Military Base, through Austria and Germany – 15 Hours

Sunday 9.30 – 11.30 am – Presentation. Visit Sappers. Memorable dinner with LTC Michael

Ripley & Chap Richard Barfield at local village restaurant with Bosman Polish Beer.

Monday Drive to Warsaw – 7 hrs with CComd Engrs Cpt Brandon Darroch to Marriott Hotel

Tuesday Depart Warsaw for London at 6 30 pm then Australia

Wednesday Flying via Singapore

Thursday Arrived 5.05 am Sydney (be at Liverpool for 2 hr presentation with Jimmy at 10 am)

5.40am Sat 26 Jul – London Heathrow Airport:

I am at Heathrow right now. 45 minutes of free Wifi. Trip was good. I had three seats till Singapore

and then it was full. I meditated and slept for 9 hrs Singapore to London. Plane goes to Venice in 1

hr 45 min.

Practised speech. Did some highlighting.

Some time after midday Sat 26 July – after flying into Venice’s Marco Polo Airport:

Met by Aaron and Kristin – they were great.

On the way to the base I got 250 Euros from an ATM – was knocked back trying for 500 Euros – I

don't know why.

Went to the Military base where it took 30 min to get me entry authority. I have to get another one

on Monday. Should be quicker.

Then bought a mobile phone sim card which took 2 hours to activate.

Checked into the Military Hotel on the base – two large rooms, plus a kitchen and toilet.

We talked for 2 hours or so about lots of things – tried the lengthening of fingers exercise – worked

well – not sure if I have time to use it. Went to dinner near the base – I bought it – the least I could

do for Aaron and Kristin – cost was 130 Euros – nothing special and included house wine.

11pm Sun 27 Jul – Vicenza USA Military Base:

In answer to some questions ….

Kristin has been to Venice about 10 times and I think Aaron about 3 times. It was wonderful that

they took me.

We caught the train about 8am – a 45 minute trip and 6 Euros ($9) one way each. Then we caught a

ferry going down the main canal.

Venice is still sinking and they are trying to stop some main buildings from sinking. Most ground

floors near all the canals are not occupied. It is extremely expensive and many people are moving

out and basically abandoning their homes. Today at full tide the water was up on some of the

walking area.

The buildings are dilapidated externally – that may be by design or the fact that there’s no money.

I heard today that some Gondolas cost 60,000 Euros ($86,000) each – they could be made for about

5 to 10 thousand I reckon. I think they are about 90 Euro per hour to hire. You pay 1.5 Euro ($2) to

go to the toilet. The cheapest Cappuccino is 5 Euro ($7) – not a very big cup. In the Square where a

band/small group is playing I understand a coffee is 18 Euros ($26). Food is all expensive.

I have never seen so many people. All the island is served by canals and people on the island walk

all over it. There are 20 odd churches and small (and large) shops wall-to-wall on every street. The

lanes are about 2 metres wide (all over the island). The whole island is thick with people walking

to/through/window shopping etc.

I am glad I have done it and would not do it again. Kristin knows the island pretty well because she

has taken all her visitors there.

We came back by train at about 7 pm. I was tired and said I would stay in my room and catch up.

Big day tomorrow and I am off to bed. Took lots of photos – but they are still in the camera – I

might send you one of me and Aaron and Kristin.

I felt quite good yesterday and not too tired. I took Withania & Ginseng tablets for jetlag and Usana

vitamins as usual. Also got some sun on me. I feel OK – a bit tired tonight. It's now about 10pm

and I have sat down for the last two hours in front of the TV and fell asleep often. I have internet

and WIFI in the room.

Being the weekend nobody is in uniform – so no saluting so far.

5.57pm Monday 28 Jul – Vicenza:

The first bit is in answer to your questions plus a bit more below. My first Presentation today was

great – I had 1½ hours not 2 but i made that OK – no Q&A – all good.

Before I did the talk I met with the Commander – Colonel Michael Foster, and gave him a copy of

Tunnel Rats. I chatted to him and found out that he had built an Officers’ Mess bar some time in his

previous posting – and of course, so had I – for 65 Engr Bn in Vietnam. I talked about this and he

said that he had wanted to build one for 173rd

Airborne Brigade, but his Commander said that it

would not be a good look for his promotion, so he didn't do it.

This means that the officers (and the sergeants) of 173rd Airborne do not have a Mess, nor a place to

meet each other. This is bad news especially for those who need to be able to talk to others to handle

things like PTSD. I said as much. He agreed and so does the Chaplain. I met the Chaplain (Richard

Barfield) and gave him books – POM, SO, SSS & CHI – I really liked him. I met Ltc Michael

Ripley who basically was the person who Aaron Cox had to go through to invite me – I gave him A

Sappers War.

I met a few other people and then went to the room I was to do the Presentation in, to get all the

audio visual done. All good. I then had lunch – cost $5.50 – good.

Then a trip through many photos of memorabilia of Vietnam and Afghanistan. Then getting my

security pass for 6 days then back to the hotel to write this email.

Many military people are staying in the hotel complex – basically in transit coming in and out of

173rd Bde – I know none of them. The bed in the room is very comfortable.

I leave for Poland on Saturday – will be giving a presentation there but not in any grand hall.

Everything is absolutely great and I’m excited about it all.

I am to be picked up at 6 pm – in about 30 minutes to go to the Restaurant where Galileo frequented.

I understand we get a tour and wine tasting. It is Col Ripley’s Officers – about 30 of us all together.

Below are a few photos taken in Venice with Aaron and Kristin.

Maj Aaron and Kristin Cox The abutments on this bridge are moving

The canals are really narrow The Bridge goes from the Court to the jail

Some of these Gondolas are 60,000 euros each Note that the ground floor is unusable

5pm Tues 29 July – Vicenza:

It is 4.50 here and I am going to a wine tasting and dinner with the young officers at 6.00 – should

be good. It took me an age to decrease the size of the attached pictures – but 1-13 read all the titles

and you'll see the restaurant inside and out. It was a really good night.

Michael Ripley is Aaron's old boss and as such he is the guy that Aaron had to get to support and

approve me being here. Their Officers from his battalion are the ones that are hosting me. We

chatted a lot – Michael worked with both Aussie Special Ops Troops and Commandos and both of

these groups had Aussie Engineer Splinter Teams with them. Interesting! We spoke about PTSD and

the need for soldiers to talk about it – he got me to repeat all that today in the presentation.

The presentation went well today – it was to Michael Ripley’s group. The Chaplain (Richard

Barfield) was there too – he is great and supports my thinking – I gave him the books.

Kristin is lovely – she and Aaron have been great. When Aaron goes to his next posting in Korea

soon she is heading off to Spain to do that 37 day Camino Pilgrimage Walk. You don’t have to do

the entire 500-mile walk – you can do a section of it – for a weekend or a fortnight or whatever.

The whole thing takes between 30 and 40 days. There are some who complete their Camino

Pilgrimage Walk by going back year after year. It’s up to the individual and there are no rules. You

take it as you find it and walk as you will. You can do it on a bike if you want. It’s not necessarily

religious but it can be if you wish it to be. It began as a pilgrimage to the relics of the Apostle

James, interred in the grand old Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Ever since his grave was

discovered in AD800, hundreds of thousands of the great and good have trod the path across

northern Spain, making the Camino the most famous pilgrimage in the world.

Aaron and Kristin have done walks throughout the world. They have no children yet – been married

about 5 years. I think Kristin goes out a lot with guests – she has learnt a bit of Italian and German –

they much prefer Germany – Kristin shows a lot of her visitors around. All in all I think she keeps

herself fairly busy.

ǼOLIA Restaurant last night (Monday night) was fabulous! The Aeolia has its wine cellar in the

caves below it. The caves are natural and I understand extend for a mile or so. Incidentally the

dinner was 3 courses including red and white wine and cost 28 euros.

It was one of the restaurants Galileo frequented. I think it’s about 500+ years old. Galileo (1564 to

1642) was an Italian scientist, scholar, physicist, mathematician, engineer, astronomer, and

philosopher who supported the theory of a sun-centered solar system. He used to observe the sky

from the position of the top room of Aeolia, which can be hired out if there are 30+ people.

There is a photo of me a bit further on with the statue of the famous Italian architect – Andrea

Palladio (1508 to 1580). Palladio, influenced by Roman and Greek architecture, is widely

considered the most influential individual in the history of Western architecture. In USA the

Jefferson Building and a few others are modelled on his type of design (I think each building looks

the same from any direction).

Photos at the Aeolia

Restaurant.

Top picture at the

top table left to

right: is Michael and

Krista Ripley, Sandy

and then Kristin and

Aaron Cox.

One of the table

wings of the dining

night out at

AEolias.

Right – the floor of the dining room

which is above the wine cellar.

Immediately below – the floor of the

wine cellar.

Centre Left – wine just

outside the wine cellar.

Centre Right – in the wine

cellar.

Bottom left – there were 8

spots around the cellar just

like this. The centre motif

on all the bottles is one of

the 8 faces of the North

Wind.

Top: – every old place and some not so old has a Fresco on the ceiling – intricate

Centre Left: Inside the main dining room

Centre Right: Inside the main dining room and all the certificates

Bottom Left: The entrance to the restaurant

Bottom Right: The main Sign outside.

3pm Wed 30 July – Vicenza:

It is 3 pm and Aaron has just dropped me to the Hotel. He is picking me up in 30 minutes or so to go

and look at a castle: The Soave Castle www.castellodisoave.it

Last night (Tuesday 29 July) wasn’t just a wine tasting – it was Dinner with Lucas. 15 subalterns –

Lieutenants – and myself had dinner in Lucas's house prepared by Lucas. Yes, some of them are

women – about 19%. There are Gays in the Army and there is absolutely no racial bias.

We thought we were going to a wine tasting! See:

http://www.cookingwithlucas.com/2012/11/cooking-classes.html and photos below. Lucas is a

fairly famous Italian chef – he has been on TV. He teaches cooking classes 5 days a week in his home

(mostly to Americans) and then he has dinner parties which is what we had. He is in the main historical

Square of Vicenza and the apartment he is in is upstairs and 100s of years old. Very quaint. Lucas is

quite sweet! And yes, I do mean that he is gay. More at http://www.cookingwithlucas.com/

We had a 3 course meal for 30 Euros ($43) including wine. We were in his kitchen/dining room.

The setting and chairs were whatever he could cobble together – there certainly were not any sets of

15 – even the glasses were different sizes. He spoke about the food and the wine – it was OK but

didn't seem to be anything special. Lasagne followed by chicken or lamb and then a very sweet

sweet.

We found out from Lucas that Galileo worked and drank in the area all around the Aeolia Restaurant

and across the road from Aeolia is a bar, and I understand the two structures are joined by a

tunnel/cave. We resolved to go there (and several more bars on Thursday – Aaron and Michael

Ripley plus the subalterns are coming).

They wouldn't take my money so I suggested we go for a drink. 8 of us visited 3 bars and did just

that. Fantastic night and we are looking forward to doing it on Thursday.

One of the Lts had the words of Marianne Williamson tattooed on his arm – nice guy.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

I will be driving to Poland on Saturday with a young Lieutenant he is the 2IC of the Engineer Company

(Zac). It’s a 12 hours drive to get there. He will then drive me to Warsaw – about a 5 ½ hour drive – to

catch the plane to London.

I will just spend another day there waiting for Engineers to come in from an exercise in Slovenia. I think

I will be talking to an Infantry Company as well.

I did another presentation today (Wed) – 10 am to 12 midday. The hall was full and I got some

pictures (below). Went well – I think that is the last presentation until the Ball. The feedback I have

had following my talks is that they all loved it.

It is the start of the Running of the Herd tomorrow (Thursday) at 8 am. I feel quite tired and so will

not be going out tonight.

Tomorrow night (Thurs) I go out with the subalterns to the bars and will be accompanied by Aaron

and Michael Ripley (Aaron's former boss).

Dinner with Lucas

On the left are pictures

of Dinner with Lucas –

that’s him in his chef’s

hat in the bottom photo.

These 2 photos are taken at

the bars with the Subalterns

after dinner with Lucas.

Statue in the main square at Vicenza

of ANDREA PALLADIO – right on

dusk on the way to Lt John Deering

(Sandy’s escort) favourite bourbon

Bar. Planters bourbon is the

smoothest. This was after Dinner

with Lucas.

Left to Right the officers are: 1LT Adam Porrit- MI Platoon Leader 1LT John Dearing - HHC BDE XO 1LT Elizabeth Constantino - BSTB S2 1LT Patrick Cunningham - HHC XO Sandy MacGregor 1LT Michael Hafen - C CO XO 1LT Bethany Bashor - B CO XO 2LT Zach Zbacnik - MI Platoon Leader

Sandy at the

Presentation Hall

(now the Sigholtz

Centre) delivering

the third

presentation.

On the left are two

pictures an Officer

sharing during the

exercise in the

presentation.

Below – The Presentation Hall – Now the Sigholtz Centre – used for 3 Presentations

5pm Thursday 31 July – Vicenza:

On Wed afternoon Aaron took me to the restored Soave Castle which is 40 minutes from here along the

Expressway. The castle’s origins go back to the 10th Century and Berengario I – King of Italy from 887 to 915. It

is a walled city with the castle at the top – it has been attacked by the Hungarians and the Germans and by feudal

landlords within Italy. It has been restored now and they charge 7 Euros to have a look around.

The people who live inside the walls are the only ones allowed to drive there. The walled City is I believe the

unique part. Lots of people go there on the weekend.

I thought the most wonderful part was the gardens and grapes around the castle. I don't think I have ever seen a

more beautifully kept fertile land. As the Colonel said about this – "Throw a peach seed and up will come a peach

tree".

Aaron will be here soon – he is going to go through my speech with me (I asked him). A Medal of Honour winner

Kyle Pitts (I think) was awarded a medal of Honour in the last week for an action in 2008 in Afghanistan. That's

how long it takes – ridiculous. Anyway he'll be at the Ball with General Williams (he is in charge of the African

area for USA and his aim is to build up NCOs in about 12 countries)

The views of the Agriculture

around the Soave Castle – no

wonder there was fighting over

the control of the land.

Top Right – the entrance to the walled

city

Top Left – the base of the tower from

inside the grounds

Bottom left – inside the castle grounds

Bottom Right – Looking towards the

castle from outside near the drawbridge.

Top Left is Aaron standing at the castle drawbridge Centre Left is the castle at the top of the hill

Bottom Left is the walls around the city Top Right is the pebbled track to the top

Centre Right is the main road in the walled city

I went through my speech with Aaron – he is happy with it – he will be introducing me.

I went to the opening of the Sigholtz Centre at 9.30 am and then LTC Michael Ripley and his Coy

Commander presented me with a trophy with a model of St Michael (the Patron Saint of

Paratroopers) and an inscription “COL(R) Sandy MacGregor Thank you for your contribution to the

173rd

Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) both past and present”.

Then I went to an Interview from which an article will be written for Sky Soldiers Magazine. I also

had the Chaplain at the Interview. Hopefully the article will also be a pointer as to what to do to

prevent PTSD settling in. Sgt Opal Vaughn will be sending me a copy.

Afterwards, the BBQ lunch – pork ribs – big ones and chicken and steak and … and … and … – it

was good. Afterwards I saw some Sports for the Bayonet week competition – American football and

the tug of war

At night – you guessed it – out with Aaron and the Subalterns to the bar near the Square. It is Lt

John Dearing’s favourite because it has Planters Bourbon from Kentucky – very smooth. Yes John is

from Kentucky and is planning to have his Honeymoon in NZ and will be getting out of the army.

He may come to Sydney.

I am to give one slouch hat to the Brigade at the Ball and one slouch hat to the Engineers. I am glad

I brought them

Below is a photo of the Subalterns who took me to the bar along with Aaron. LTC Ripley couldn’t

make it because his presence was demanded at Col Michael Foster’s dinner party. The guys are Left

to Right: Aaron Cox, Casey Ripp, Adam Porritt, John Dearing, Zach Zbacnik, Zach Radwick, & me.

.

Night pictures around Palladio Square

Friday 1 August – Vicenza:

About 3pm: – I leave for the Ball in 3 hrs and I want to meditate, go through my speech and get

dressed. Last night was good – tell you later.

Later (just after midnight), before bed and after the Ball: Just got back to my room – Everything

went really well at Ball – I got a standing ovation for my talk – it was all great.

At the Ball I presented to the Brigade my Slouch Hat complete with colour patch, Rising Sun and

the UNSWR Badge. Col Foster presented me with a handmade RCR CRISTALLERIA ITALIANA

scotch set of two glasses and a decanter with the AIRBORNE Insignia on all three items.

I leave for a 12 hour drive in the morning, starting at 8 am so I am off to bed.

Trophy Gift from LTC Ripley St Michael Gift from 173rd

Brigade – Hand made crystal

11am Sat 2 August – On the road to Poland:

I have just found out that in a couple of hours I will lose communications. There is no comms not

even wifi for me. So when I get to London Heathrow I might be able to communicate.

LTC Michael Ripley is also in the car. He got to the airport and didn't have a ticket.

Sgt Kyle Pitts, Medal of

Honour earned with 173rd

Brigade in Afghanistan in

2008 and yours truly at the

Brigade Ball.

At the Brigade Ball Sandy was

introduced by Maj Aaron Cox

and then presented the

Principal Address for 30

minutes. It took days to

prepare.

Update from Warsaw sent Monday 4 Aug 9pm from Marriott Hotel:

I will be home as planned (ie. 5am Thurs morn) – there was a problem with the guys in Slovenia

who could only get back 2 days later than originally planned. This meant I couldn't speak to them

and could leave a day earlier. I tried to change the flight back and was told the plane was full. I

decided to go to the Warsaw airport and try again (today). I was told by British Airways that the

plane was full so I am staying in Warsaw at the Marriott Airport Hotel tonight – I check out at

midday and the plane departs at 6.15 pm tomorrow night. Because I took the chance and the US

Army had accommodations and rations for me back at the camp, I have to pay myself.

About money – I have spent 130 Euro on a credit card and withdrew 250 Euro. I have an extra $500

US in my wallet as a result of the US Army paying for my rations direct to me (ie. savings). I have

spent no Aussie money. So I should get home with the trip costing me just $126 for insurance and

about $140 for this Hotel – that's pretty good eh!

So to the drive up on Saturday (2 Aug).

We drove with 4 of us in the car – the driver and a young Engineer Officer (Zac) who was my

escort, and LTC Michael Ripley was a late addition because his flight to Germany was cancelled

and he needed to see his troops in Poland. It took 15 hours arriving at 11 pm. We drove through

Italy, Austria, Germany and then Poland. The country through Italy was fertile. The road most of the

time through Austria was spectacular – Mountain Range both sides and we stopped at the most

spectacular McDonalds you have ever seen – it looks all the way down a huge valley and the

structure of McDonalds was ‘hanging over’ the valley (see photo below). The service was great and

the Café was served by 3 Austrian girls in national costume

The Roads in Germany were the best and we could go 150 kph. The countryside was nothing out of

the ordinary – it was East Germany. When we got to Poland it was distinctly poorer and the roads

This picture taken from

inside this Austrian

McDonalds (just off the

main road to Italy) has to be

the best view from any

McDonalds in the world. It

was really busy – the Café

was served by 3 Austrian

girls in national costume.

were crap. We were met by the officers from 173rd and then Ripley and I went off to what was a

BOQ (Bachelor Officer Quarters) sharing a room with 3 beds and a toilet and shower.

Next morning (Sunday 3 Aug) we went to breakfast which was very basic and I presented to about

50 people including about 15 Sappers from 10 am to midday. Same presentation – it was good. After

that I spent some time looking at the TOWs (Anti Tank Guided Missile system) and then Lunch.

A photo of most participants which included about 15 Sappers and 40 odd from the Infantry

Company was taken – I gifted my slouch hat with the Rising Sun and the Engineer badge.

In the afternoon the Sappers were building some wire obstacles so I went with them.

In the evening (Sunday 3 Aug) I went with the Chaplain – Richard and with Michael into a small

town about 15 minutes away. We had dinner and drinks – a lot. My dinner was Spaghetti Carbonara

and I drank Bosman beer – Polish draft which was strong – we all had a Vodka as well. We talked

about lots of stuff and particularly about some of Michael's experiences. He is a Special Forces

Officer. We chatted a lot about PTSD and methods to do something about it – especially to prevent

it taking hold. I also found out that Aaron Cox has made the short list of 8 officers who are being

considered for one job being the Presidents Military Aid – pretty good even if he doesn't get it.

The participants at the

presentation at the

Drawsko Military Base in

Poland – Sappers and

Infantry.

The Sappers who had just

completed making a C11

tank Obstacle (11 rolls of

Concertina Wire) which

stops a tank after about 500

metres because of the wire

in the sprockets. The

problem is the second tank

can get through in the first

one’s tracks.

This morning (Monday 4 Aug) we left at 9 am – with the Driver and the Company Commander of

the Engineers CPT Brandon Darroch who accompanied me to Warsaw – that was great of him. We

took 7 hours to get here. The roads are one lane each way and of course they are repairing the roads

and the farmers with their tractors use it and there are no overtaking lanes. They now have to drive

back to camp. We talked a lot about Army and Civilian Engineer matters. He has had 2 Afghanistan

Tours and one Iraq Tour.

So I am now in my room typing away. This trip has been a highlight of my life and I am honoured.

All the Pictures of the trip to 173rd

Brigade in Italy can be seen at this link

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Info pertaining to trip – Italy & Poland 1. Research from Sandra MacGregor

2. Part of the Briefing for the Brigade BALL - From Major Aaron Cox

Recent Afghanistan History of the 173rd

3. Sandy MacGregor’s Biography as printed on the Brigade Ball Program

1. Research from Sandra MacGregor

Galileo

Galileo Galilei, often known simply as Galileo, was an Italian scientist, scholar, physicist,

mathematician, engineer, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the scientific

LTC Michael Ripley the

Commander of the

Special Troops Battalion

on the left and CPT

Chaplain Richard Barfield

who is chaplain of the

Special Troops Battalion.

revolution and made pioneering observations that laid the foundation for modern physics and

astronomy.

Born in Pisa, Italy 15 Feb 1564, Died 8 Jan 1642 Education: Uni of Pisa 1581-1585.

He also constructed a telescope and supported the Copernican theory which supports a sun-centered

solar system (called heliocentrism – Nicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance mathematician and

astronomer who formulated a heliocentric model of the universe which placed the Sun, rather than

the Earth, at the centre – born in Poland in 1473).

Galileo was accused twice of heresy by the church for his beliefs, and wrote books on his ideas.

In 1600, Galileo met Marina Gamba, a Venetian (this means “from Venice”) woman, who bore him

three children out of wedlock: daughters Virginia and Livia, and son Vincenzo. He never married

Marina, possibly due to financial worries and possibly fearing his illegitimate children would

threaten his social standing. He worried the two girls would never marry well, and when they were

older, had them enter a convent. His son’s birth was eventually legitimized and he became a

successful musician.

Aeolia Restaurant Apparently is a FANTASTIC little family owned restaurant in Longare, Italy. It has a wine

cellar with tunnels that used to be used by Galileo makes it a fun historical place to visit.

Andrea Palladio

(30 November 1508 – 19 August 1580) was an Italian architect active in the Republic of

Venice. Palladio, influenced by Roman and Greek architecture, widely considered the most

influential individual in the history of Western architecture.

Running of the Herd

A 24-hour relay race – 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team – which commemorates a battle in

Vietnam on 8 Nov 1965 in which 48 soldiers with the 173rd

Airborne Brigade died. It honors GIs

who fought in the Vietnam battle and it commemorates the 1,792 soldiers from the 173rd who died

in conflicts from Vietnam to the present. See this youtube clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOKgdpeXeaI

Robert H Sigholtz Jnr.

Born: 19 Dec 1945; Date of Casualty: 26 May 1969. Rank: Captain.

Chapter 1 is named after CPT Robert Sigholtz, Jr., who was mortally wounded while serving with

D Company, Second Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, in 1969. Captain Sigholtz was the son

of COL (R) Robert Sigholtz, famed 2/503d Commander. Chapter 1 was the first Chapter formally

chartered by the 173d Airborne Brigade Association. Sigholtz Snr was born in 1919 and was

general manager of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and the D.C. Armory complex as well as

athletic director at Georgetown University,

Dr. Sigholtz, He had a distinguished record as a combat infantryman in three wars, came to Georgetown in 1968

as a professor of military science and as director of the university's ROTC program. His strong

personality, shaped as an Army airborne troop commander, proved both a strength and a liability

during his stormy three-year tenure as athletic director. Dr. Sigholtz's only son, Army Captain

Robert H. Sigholtz Jr., was killed in Vietnam while serving in the same unit his father had

commanded. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and rose from a Platoon Sergeant to an infantry

Lieutenant in the China-Burma theater during World War II.

From 1946 to 1948, he played professional basketball with the Baltimore Bullets before being

recalled to the Army. He was a reconnaissance officer during the Korean War and later served in

special forces units and the 82nd Airborne Division.

On February 22, 1967, as a Colonel commanding the 2nd Battalion of the 503rd Infantry Regiment

in Vietnam, he led the only parachute assault by U.S. forces in the war.

He died September 2, 2005 aged 84. He had been injured in a fall at his home in Paradise Valley,

Arizona.

The established Chapters represent Sky Soldiers throughout the United States and our comrades-in-

arms in Australia and New Zealand. Since its inception Chapter 1 (Sigholtz Capital Chapter) has set

the standard for other Chapters to emulate. Chapter 1 is one of the largest, most active chapters

within the Association.

Soave

is a small area of the Veneto region in the Province of Verona, Italy with a population of roughly

6,800 people. www.castellodisoave.it

Soave (pronounced So-Ah-Ve) is a dry white Italian wine from the Veneto region in northeast Italy,

principally around the city of Verona. (Sandy visited Soave Castle)

Marostica

(Venetian language: Maròstega), is a town and area in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, northern

Italy. It is mostly famous for its living (human) chess event and for the local cherry variety.

Drawsko Pomorskie in Poland a 5 ½ hour drive north west of Warsaw

Drawsko Military Base is the biggest operating military base in Europe – Land Forces Training

Center. It is a perfect location for training all types of land forces, due to its varied terrain, including

swamps, sands, open landscapes, forests and lakes.

This land is also perfect for Land Rover vehicles!

Major Aaron Cox

I googled Aaron Cox and found this interview with him in 2012 – he sounds pretty impressive

http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll13/id/2618

It’s 13 pages and to access it you click on Download on the right hand side.

Italian Alpine Base Mountains were occupied by the Partisans in WW II

Here’s the info I mentioned. I am almost 100% certain that the Alpini mentioned below is the

Group Cesaré Stefanato was attached to. The photo looks like Cesaré – or certainly the hat he is

wearing does. (That’s the old Italian ex-Partisan guy who taught Sandy about grapes and wine)

Address of the Army Base:

Address: Viale A. Ferrarin, 136, Vicenza, Italy

Phone:+39 0444 717111

From: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armybaseprofiles/ss/Vicenza.htm ...

USAG Vicenza is midway between Venice and Verona and is within a 3-hour drive from Florence,

Milan, and Bologna. The Cost of living is relatively high in this area. There are multicultural

opportunities throughout the Veneto Region including festivals, museums and historical sites.

Vicenza is known as the City of [Andrea] Palladio and is home to many great architectural sites

including the Villa Rotonda. The surrounding country of Vicenza is agricultural, but there are also

quarries of marble, sulphur, copper, and silver mines. The world-famous Gold Exposition takes

place in Vicenza three times per year. Other industries are silk, pottery, and musical instruments.

Sky Soldiers join Alpini to clean up historic WWI tunnels

Eight Soldiers from Attack Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Infantry

Brigade (Airborne), on Caserma Ederle, join members of the Vicenza Alpini Group June 28 for the

annual clean-up day of the 52 tunnels road (Strada dell

VICENZA, Italy - Eight Soldiers from Attack Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment,

173rd Infantry Brigade (Airborne), based on Caserma Ederle, joined with members of the Vicenza

Alpini Group June 28 for the annual clean-up day of the 52 tunnels road (Strada delle Gallerie)

leading to the peak of Mount Pasubio.

The Sky Soldiers met at the Vicenza Alpini headquarters at 6 a.m. to make the hour and a half drive

to Bocchetta Campiglia, where they linked up with approximately 100 Alpini. The mission: to clear

large rocks and improve the appearance of the military mule road built in record time by the Italian

Army between February and November 1917. Etc….. much more …

Caserma Ederle (This is where the administration centre is and where Sandy stayed)

(Camp Ederle) is an Italian post where the U.S. Army has troops stationed located in Vicenza,Italy.

The Vicenza Military Community is composed of Soldiers, family members, civilians and retirees

with a small number of Airmen and Sailors are also stationed there. The post serves as

the headquarters of United States Army Africa and the 173d Airborne Brigade. Caserma Ederle

serves as the headquarters of U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza of the United States Army Installation

Management Command, an umbrella for all U.S. military properties in Vicenza. The post is named

after Major Carlo Ederle, an Italian hero of World War I and recipient of the French Croix de

Guerre (French War Cross), among other military honors.

Del DinThis is the main Purpose built base (for $841 million) occupied by the 173rd

Brigade. In 2004, the U.S. military announced plans to extend the military footprint in Vicenza to include all

elements of the 173rd ABCT. The new base annex was planned to be located on the disused

civilian Dal Molin airport, roughly two miles from Caserma Ederle. The plan was first agreed by

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's administration. The succeeding government, led

by Romano Prodi, initially opposed the expansion, but eventually agreed to the extension plan. The

Italian Ministry of Defense has announced the redesignation of the installation from Dal Molin to

Caserma Del Din upon transfer to the Italian Army. The work is managed by the Transition

Construction Management Office and construction oversight is by the Naval Facilities Engineer

Command, Resident Officer in Charge of Construction.

On Oct. 30, 2012 during a special ceremony in Rome honoring Paolo Costa, the U.S. Ambassador

David Thorne credited the success of Del Din to the strong support that the United States received

from the highest levels of the Italian government, including the executive, legislative and judicial

branches over several years and by several different governments. As the construction nears

completion, more than 50 top construction firms toured the newest and greenest site. This facility

will be the first DoD installation to obtain the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

(LEED) Silver certification with the potential to achieve gold certification.

Vicenza is eventually slated to be home to the 173rd Airborne Brigade (obviously this has already

happened) and the United States Army Africa headquarters. Currently, only two infantry battalions

and portions of the brigade's two support battalions are in Vicenza, and the move would bring the

total number of stationed troops in Vicenza to 5,000.

2. Part of the Briefing for the Brigade BALL - From Major Aaron Cox

Recent Afghanistan History of the 173rd

The people that will be attending the Ball will have been in the BDE for up to the last two years or

less. In general in the last two years the BDE was deployed to Afghanistan in Logar and Wardak

Provinces. 1-503 was attached to a different BDE, in Ghazni. 2-503 and 4-319 were in Wardack

province which was responsible for the area from south of Kabul down highway one to

Kandahar. The BDE HQ was on FOB Shank in Logar Province and housed 1-91, BSTB, BSB and

later 4-319 as we closed bases and consolidated. 1-91 owned the battle space outside of the FOB

and BSTB was the Garrison Command for the 8000 person FOB. In general the BDEs mission was

to close multiple outposts and FOBs to create a smaller footprint as we were leaving Afghanistan at

the same time while conducting partnering with Afgan forces and very limited Counterinsurgency

operations. After the BDE redeployed most units moved. 1-91 and 4-319 moved from Bamberg

Germany to Grafwoehr, Germany. BSTB and BSB moved from Bamberg Germany to Vicenza Italy

to occupy Del Din. 2-503 and the BDE HQ moved from Caserma Ederle to Caserma Del Din. 1-

503 stayed on Caserma Ederle. Currently the Brigade is fully supporting Operation Alatntic

Resolve formerly know as Persistent Presence. This consist of four COY and a BN HQ located in

Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The BDE is now looking to conduct Exercise Sabre Junction

which is Combat Training Center Rotation in Hohenfels Germany in August.

3. Sandy MacGregor’s Biography as printed on the Brigade Ball Program Born in New Delhi, India in 1940, then relocated to Ulverstone, Tasmania when he was eight years

old, (Ret.) Colonel Sandy MacGregor went on to graduate from the Royal Military College,

Duntroon in 1960 and then complete a degree in civil engineering at Sydney University. While

serving in the Australian Army’s Corp of Engineers, MacGregor deployed to Vietnam as a captain,

commanding the 3 Field Troop Engineers, September 1965-1966.

During this time, MacGregor was the first anti-communist Soldier to explore the Cu Chi tunnels and

reveal their operational importance. Whereas standard U.S. Army practice had been to seal, blow up

or otherwise attempt to render tunnel systems unusable with smoke, tear gas and explosives before

quickly moving on, MacGregor and his men searched and mapped the tunnels they found, using

telephone line and compasses to plot the subterranean passages.

MacGregor and his men found ammunition, radio equipment, medical supplies, food, type-writers,

and more than 100,000 pieces of paper along with signs of considerable Viet Cong presence.

MacGregor was later awarded the Military Cross for his actions and leadership. He was also

awarded a Bronze Star by the United States Military. Post Vietnam, MacGregor commanded both

the Officer Cadet Training Unit and the University of New South Wales Regiment. He finished his

military career as a colonel in the Australian Army Reserve.

While MacGregor’s accomplishments during his Military Service were remarkable, he is better

known for the adversity he faced and overcame later-on. On the 23rd

of January 1987, MacGregor's

three daughters from his first marriage and a friend were shot dead by Richard Madrell, a paranoid

schizophrenic who was reportedly infatuated with one of the daughters. Instead of becoming filled

with hatred, anger and revenge, he turned to meditation, acceptance, co-operation, unconditional

love and ultimately forgiveness.

In 1998, MacGregor returned to Vietnam to revisit the tunnels he explored and meet with former

enemy soldiers, an act of diplomacy that he soon after surpassed when he met his daughters’ killer in

prison for the first time in 2001 and forgave him face to face. During his lifetime, MacGregor has

authored seven books, including Switch on to Your Inner Strength, Creating Happiness

Intentionally, and Piece of Mind. He has furthermore participated in T.V. and radio interviews in

addition to holding his own lectures and seminars dedicated to helping others use their inner strength

and power. Having devoted his life to helping others, MacGregor’s message is ultimately one of

strength, resiliency and courage.