The Derail: HOLIDAY ISSUE 1998 743rd REUNION RICHMOND, INDIANA OCTOBER: Ps2-35 Floyd Marion McKechnie A Masonic funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 1997, in Mt. Scott Funer- al Home for Floyd Marion MeKechnie, who died Sept, 29 of cancer at age 78. Mr. MeKechnie was born April 8, 1919, in Portland. He attended Fran! Jin High School and Portland Commu- nity College and served in the US. Army's 743rd Railway Operating Bat talion during World War II. He mar- ried Virginia Farrell on Feb. 14, 1947. He was a yardmaster for Portland Ter- minal Railroad for 42 years, retiring in 1983. A 50-year member of Waverly Masonic Lodge, he was active in the Al Kader Oriental Band. Survivors include his wife; sons, Ross of Portland and Scott of Boring: daughters, April Ober of Portland and Merry Anna Mucken of Milwauki sister, Louise Unverrich of Portland; and six grandchildren, Interment will be in Willamette Na- tional Cemetery. The family suggests remembrances to Shriners Hospitals for Children in care of Al Kader Tem- ple. Arrangements are by Mt. Scott Fu- neral Home.743rd RAILWAY OPERATING BATTALION CO. VETERANS NASHVILLE, TENN. 1997 Top row: Neil Tidwell, Earl Nelson, Winn Buchanan, Armand Holmes, Ted Kauffman, Whitey Jones, Charles Tedrowe, Lee Rightmire. Front row: Bill Gaston, Leo Ward, Roy King, Jack Falvey, Kenneth Jennings, Francis Gross, Floyd McKechnie,No. SSSSSAGESSLSESLIRE SESE SIBNRORERRBSRIRTEGSHSSRIRALSSS Year 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1967 1968 Location Sponsors {All reunions early May except 1960 - late June] St. Louis, MO _ Bob and: Kansas City, MO_ Paul and: Minncapolis, MN Nick and Ruth Brezny Pitlsburg, PA Wib and Mary ; Stoney and Betty Jackson Kansas City, MO_Ed and Roz Coleman; Paul and Peggy Whittle Nashville, TN Jim and Lucille Cella Boston, MA Bob and Marcella Triggs ‘New Orleans, LA. Harrison and Joyce Redman; Wandis and Frenk Wells ‘Milwaukee, WI Tony and Betty Jo Macyauski Cleveland, Ohio Russ and Ruth Decker ‘Nashville, TN Jim and Lucillé Cella Buffalo, NY Gene Glass; Tim and Dorothy Downey ‘Minneapolis, MN Nick and Ruth Brezny; Faye and Whitey Johnson Pittsburg, PA Wib and Mary Rothermund; Betty and Stoney Jackson Kansas City, MO Paul and Pegey Whittle; Ed and Roz Coleman Memphis, TN Jim and Lucille Cella Lorain, OH Aland Helen Grasso Omaha, NE Harry and Jewel Brewster Columbus, OH Bob and Martha Trimble Baltimore, MD Tony and Betty Jo Macyauski Chattanooga, TN Jim and Lucille Cella Little Rock, AR. Windy and Ruth Windham Seatlle, WA imand Shitley Guerci Jackson, MI Burr and Judy Sheridan Columbus, OH Bob and Martha Trimble Nashville, TN Jim and Lucille Cella Reno,NV Bob and Martha Trimble {for Sam McGriff] Birmingham, AL A. G, and Marshaleen Poe Phoenix, AZ Fred and Yolanda Campisano ‘Avon Lake, OH Russ and Ruth Decker For Wayne, IN. Billand Joyce Wrigley, John and Mary Delinger Seattle, WA im and Shiri Hot Springs, AR Joe and Haley Kansas City, MO Paul and Peggy Whitle Columbus, OH Bob and Martha Trimble Fargo,ND Cy and Alice Walsh Louisville, KY Eulick and Tillie Walsh, Hot Springs, AR Joe and Gertrude Haley Seatile, WA Jim and Shirley Guerci Kansas City, MO Paul and Peggy While Litlle Rock, AR Nate and Maxine Young, Sam Brutto, Peffley Sam and Mac kept contact with Shirley attended the 743rd Theirs is an enviable record of reunions. ded. Floyd McKechnie, Some of the 743rd R.O.B.men were transferred to the 752nd R.O.B. 743rd R.0.B. was disb Jim Guerei of the 752nd, Jim and his wife, and Thornhill were the ones I was aware of. reunion in Portland in 1994. Not when thi Phoenix, AZ George/Susan Bosler [Son-in-law and Dur.of Bill Scheidmantle} Cleveland, OH Russ and Ruth! Fort Wayne, IN Bill and Joyce Wrigley Johnstown, PA Stoney and Betty Jackson St. Louis, MO Windy and Ruth Windham, Phoenix, AZ Susan & George Bosler | 7“€-7=+1 UAFOLIO VNVIGNI ‘dNOWHOTY NOINNHY PIE7L 866T leer ans, upeTzequeyg Berrey fq peaara Roun eur jo s00td -purwoay “uaspryopul 10s aay pynom Kam AUD. Apt pinog AUPU YBNOYL, UNOS UE 3 2 giOld soldiers and newsletter just fade away By Anne Keegan ‘The old soldiers’ newsletter began “over there.” Twas put out by the men of the 13th Engineers to: boost spins, share Bossip End Keep them company: while they Served 21. months far from home, fighting a war they believed would end all future wars. ‘They. were railroad men, 1,621 of them, Midwestemers who had’ volun~ tered for: World: War 1. The: majority fame from Chicago, then the railroad ‘apltal ofthe world "Though stationed in France, they called the newsletter *The Windy City Echo.” It reminded them of home, ‘Back then, it came out on the 13th of every month. ‘The fist issue. was dated Feo 13, 1918. Thircen, the men_be- Fieveds Was their lucky number. Their Tepiment was the 13th, founded on the Tih day of the month Only 13 of their number had died “over thee.” ‘Them of te US Arm's 3h Ee sineers Regiment fel lucy, and so the Buck wogeher “Their nevsleter stuck with them, Even, affer they all sailed home, marched triumphantly in cadence ‘down’ Michigan Avenue, ‘mustered out at Camp Grant, and retimed to civilian ite, going thelt separate ways to work on’ the railroads, the newsletter still ame out, four tines a year ‘Once home, the name of the publica- tion was changed to “Veterans of the ‘Thirteenth Engineers NEWS.” And as it United these men in war, it bound them together in peace. For nearly all, it Would bind them for a hfetime. “The young veterans married, had chil- dren, got promoted. The newsletter re- ted it all They held annual reunions FerChicago, and the newsletter was filed with tales of the good times miniseed and. sang songs I Were All Gut of Step but Jim. “Their children grew up, war broke out ‘again, and their sons went off 10 a sec- Gad world war, The newsletter told ‘whose son was fighting where and car eda column of advice from the old sliders to the new. Tn the passing years, hair tumed white and parents became grandparents, but Still the newsletter chronicled it all. Nancy Trantina holds the final edit n of 13th Engineers’ 72-year-old newslet- ter and displays some mementos of the unit from World War |. Gradually, the mailing addresses changed 10''the softer climes—Arizona and Florida. The men of the 13th Engi- neers were retiring, moving on. ‘The “TAPS” column, a litany of who hhad passed away that year, grew longer. Hialf the people on the mailing list were widows. The dwindling number of men who wrote in spoke of illness, veterans’ hospitals and just growing old. By the mid“60s, the average age_of the men of the 13th Engineers was 74. By the late 70s, the reunions were no longer held in big. downtown hotels, but in a living room. Ultimately, many of the survivors grew too feeble. The reunions stop But the newsletter kept on. Until now. For the first time in 72 years, this Me- morial Day will see no newsletter for and from the men of the 13th Engineers of World War I, There is no one left to put it out, and just about all of the Snee-young men who marched off to France are gone. Though bor in a time of pain and sti, it was a happy publication when it began, filled with jokes and poems ‘writen by the men, One in the very first edition advise: “Buck up Boy, it ain't so, bad! Dog gone it might be worse/ A soldier’s alive Until he's dead? So why climb in the hearse? “You're thinking about the folks back home! Well, they're thinking about you, See Veterans, pg, 4BUD PERRY ,FALVEY JOHN COLLINS ,McKECHNIE MASS ACHUSEPTSJune 10, 1956 Minneapolis, Minnesota Reunion Second 743rd R.0.B."C"Co. Reunion Sitting on ground; Bob Bisset, Dale Parks.In. chairs; Earl Nelson, John Brennan, Rudy Blazina, Harold Davis and Bamitt Leidall. Standing; Russ Hayford, Lew Kingsporn, Frank Ehrler, Herb Anderson, Milton Lady and Floyd McKechnie.In Memory of Floyd Marion McKechnie Born April 8, 1919 Portland, Oregon Died September 29, 1997 Milwaukie, Oregon Services in the Chapel of Mt. Scott Funeral Home Friday, October 3, 1997 11:00 AM. Services by David Redmond & Waverly Lodge Masons No. 174 Casket Bearers Ross McKechnie Scott McKechnie Dayle Ober Henry Mucken Shawn McKechnie Ben McKechnie ‘Troy Mucken Rob Mitchell Honorary Casket Bearers Milton White ‘Tony Barone | EdKelly ‘Tom Grayson Jack Falvey Eldon Thompson, dr Procession to Willamette National Cemetery for Concluding Service and Intermentper bt. nde Mert = 7 TT hear a cee 9 hove Hx TAL metl, SD dort have avd phe: a pmeal haf im, 9 fore bol fr fom, Lhe Bao Fy sraamy Jima fo SS Het the taps Lllar wroubliptage ercenens meri Amifithee reteblatny athe fe he game Hr bbb ety aa dg voy wel eoreih hy f tin bE se . wheat tucn e-em, cheinbuir 3 atlins, poltety Ma 00 hie faa Arm — cam Lf ta LIL. toned Haat ai aah word in bin cueing pmch Hharagp he dl Can! — past heapt-oegatg Ft ower ot 9 wey peg wth goy, That got HeMara peste me a “Cyt lao dhe ca thrcleh woth fr, progrees, hatha gory Whew Losey Baul d Hay fave 0 lea Rnd Inch. fe wil be Hh 004, But forbes, L Pape heer num boca aly I doy ff Aaelaliby ro sound, uray ove ap | Tie Manag ct0d a rifed ahe Coll apend ll hay ti. lim. te Ci, 20 Sy Ferd h Nes treed mae, Cowrallonriey) ann, clamage) tex to he hag ahate AL lg O thesihny to pprrcnct food pon prego Opa t hie. toy, Bat Hares much. The nreea Gut Lous. Prin 2 8 eel ptanit ebay only Be wepny By gga, | BE fer ne — ep aprespen pig Hey helps, hos des ab ered Rowe — Bsbe.aa 1901 Washington . T R. and ANITA PIPES La Grange, OR 91860 i an . ‘8400 Fourth Avenue South ‘ uma, AZ 835 ' . i cae 4 “Sate Oct. 25 Bian Ue ed = Ihave} been trying to ;pull ayself-hogether to got a letter off to yon about vhet. hes taken place vith us since.you last heard. i 4 Avot: Oct. 10, lMeby noticed hisépoech was slurred, somewhat. Several dsys later At happened sgain, and a third tine of the ith, at which time he honed his Dr, and was told to have an MRT the next day. When the reyrt care back, % shoud a sizeable tumor in about the save location as the other one, 14 years ago--just above the Isft ear. de went tu walla dalla. on Friday to confer vith m neuromurgeon,,.ind « date wna:set, for. surgery on the 23n< Opt ciate ie turned out to be ¢ rather afftieilt surgery mich tore, 00’ thait‘he expected from the HRI-Win that it wos. very Anvasive-—had ‘eaten, through ths skull and nto the. muscle. He cana thru thé surg-ry fina and yas in the racovery room when he had a massive hemorrhage, causing a massive ‘stroke.. He lost his speech and the use of his right. sides: It-was touch and go for two days, with his blood rressure getting terribly-high at times. . “It seemed like nothing but . gloom and doom at that, timo, ‘but:the morning of the 3rd day he began to shot sone signs of Ancrovenent. Each: day since has seen noticeable imjrovenent, but 4t/ ds eoing to be a long haul. *.* Fhystcal ond sppech theracy were started yesterday (Hriday) and there will plse be edded vocational and ‘respiratory therayy & right away. We aren't sure how soon he wil) be transferred to frunsitional, care, He gust’ be able physically to.stand 3 hours. of therapy in.a:day'before he ‘can go to ‘Kehab. t could beat. Jeast 6 weeks dn Hehab, ‘At this. point the Drs, feel he will get to : Walking and limited use‘of hip hand ‘and-arm,-but heve-no idee of what will ‘take, place on his sneech~-hopefillly.he will get sone of At back. Physically he 4s henlthy“and strong and that 1e.to his advantage, definitely, Wo! cams ‘over ‘hore ‘with’ the: wotpr. hon, and car--tiguring to stay 6 or 8 days efter, surgery, “I em‘situated;in'a nice AV park, just 1$ miles from the hospital, and :prepsred to’ stay ‘quite a"while,:: He shaved himself yesterday, and today hap fed hinself--very slowly; brushed his theth und helped with fe bath. He is. responding to commends better than they expected. He is everyone's favorite pataent beonuse he tries so hard to do what they want. Both Janice and Jaan:wpre’ with'me thé day of, surgery’ and Jean stayed on thru the next 2 days, “aiiibe and-Tim came today and will stay over until tomorrow nite, Don't know what! I would have, ‘done. without: them. -I'm having my mai}. ‘transferred next week-rto' Four Seasons HV Resort, WO The Dalles Militey rd. We fla, falls, Wash 99362. Also getting a fhone on Mondgy --#509-526~7301. 7 be Sure. To catch Me 7 Call affer & Pm Ho! is’ gotting the best, of care--all. the nurses and therapists are so mice, and caring. Both the pirls will. be. over frequently, but winter driving across je,mts. isn't the best. Janice 4s 135 miles.from here and Jean @6; so they id but I will be spending most of! ay time with him, ; We are’ just so thankful that he was so physically fit. We'have many frienis praying for him end know you'will; too. I had a couple” of}real rough days, but have thines under control now--thanks to so much help from both girls--they. have: been more than wonderful I hope ‘everything is better than. expeated with you. “ll our love, - Pilot AnsMail Gene and Opal Teeters "We feel we have Tost_a cherished friend. We have fond memories of the Chattanooga meet and what a wonderful and memorable get-to- gether in Portland. I hope we will be privilaged to keep in touch with you the 743rd group. It is my only actual nd contact with the 743rd. I thank "C"Co, for keeping together for us. I do stil correspond with a few of my "A"Copeople at Christmas time. | Harold and Carol Walcott “I think I expected you to live forever, Mac. I was devastated to learn of your illness. I was always in everything at our Baptist Church but my hearing is so bad now that I can only get by on a one on one basis. Carol and I will be celebrating 55 years of marriage the next 4th of July and we will be ready to start the second 55! Harold had been doing roof work around the house and shop such as coating the roofs. He is in his eighties and still getting around like that!!! Charles and Velva Zies "It sure looks Tike everyone hada grand time at the reunion. We were sorry to lose Mrs.King. I know @ good man like Koy vould have good woman. Just look at all the years they were married." Charles was still at a loss as when the video of the 743rd would be shown, but was quite enthused about it. Jim and Shirle the 752nd R.0.B. passing Guered Our friends from sent regrets of Macs Jim not only knew Mac from the overseas experience but from setting out at our Lakeyard in Portland, Mac and Sam Brutto made friends with Jim in Europe and it "took." The Guercis are really the very best. | Page 4 CALL Eldon and Carol Thompson We are receiv- Zhg snaps of the handsomest Walktoberfest participant ever entered. "He collected several hundred dollars in memory of a guy called Mac." Benjamin could have made the cover of Parents magazine--- all that premium "rockin'" time has a permanent smile on his face. The next Kentucky dis- patch was about "Trains at War. Eldon referred to Zies as "Televisions newest and brightest star." I'll agree, it was a good show and I liked the ring of the "743rd Railway Operating Battalion." I hope everyone reads John Rabbits report. Eldon has been busy with a very good camera, We have received an 8 x 10 of Mac and myself on our way to a formal Shrine function dressed to the hilt. two different poses of Mac at the Indy reunion, both 8 x 10 and one of them is included in this newsletter, and several group pictures, large and small, all perfectly exposed and as good as the originals as well as several snapshots of the Thompson clan. The McKechnie Household Several of you Know that our 49 year old son, Ross, is living at home. He has been with us for over a year, going thru a complicated divorce. The old adage about the ill wind blowing makes me think that the man upstairs arranges help for me when 1 needed it most. Now I am not alone, either so that is another plus. Ross is busy with his Commercial Real Estate and has settled into a good stride, I have corraled him for playing Santa Claus for the Union Pacific 01d Timers which Mac always did. Ross pinch hit for the Shrine Christmas dinner last year when Mac ended up in the hospital. NEWSLETTER AND FLOWER FUND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. THANKS TO Charles Zies Alice Hyma Jim Guerci Nell Jacobs Smith Kathryn Schneider Phil Camp Violet Burke Harold Walcott 1 ROSTER UP-DATE Walter Rumsey has moved to 8 Kennedy St. Alexandria, VA 22305-2517 Kenneth & Martha Jennings Area code changed to 765Mail Betty Andrus Sent a great note to keep ‘on taking care of one another. Betty Beatty "Planning on going to Wash ington D.C. for the dedication of the Womens Memorial. A number of us are team- ing up with a group from Tucson for spec- dal airplane and hotel rates. I feel it is a fitting climax to my years in the SPARS. Violet BurkeShe was much touched by the open letter in the last DeRail and wished Mac well. Phil and Donna Camp "We are still trying ‘to make it one day at a time. Phil is go- ing thru surgery to improve circulation in his legs and gain some strength in his legs. He isn't able to walk very far with out stopping to rest." Marian Chamberlain | She wrote in mid- .November to report their first snow. She was very pleased to get a group picture of the Nashville bunch from Eldon. Next she said she is feeling pretty good and thinking IRELAND! It looks like next May will see her there. Millie Constantine bang-up" job all these years for keeping me on the list. Jack Falvey Wrote of visiting our Nation- ‘al Cemetery with us and sad to think Mac was there now. Jack was pleased with the picture of Mac on the cover of the folder and said it showed the side of Mac that he knew best. "I'll miss him very much.I still miss Bette even after almost three years." Jack thought the sons and grand- Sons were quite a compliment to Floyd.It represented the closeness of our family and kind of made you feel Mac was in good hands. (Jack calls me every Friday evening to see how things are going. One Friday he was out with friends and got home too late to call ---I was on the phone to him bright and early Saturday morning to see if he was sick or what the problem was. What are friends for 227) Bill and Dot Gaston This pair show gen- uine concern with frequent cards with a few words of love. Now is the time for Dot to get a few cards. She has had a bad turn of health and hopefully is doing a good job of recovering. I'm talking life-threatening problems. I'l] still get a line off, I swear! “Mac has sure done a Thanks Page 3 CaLL [Alice Hyma "I still can't walk very good but I do hop_along. Mary Johnson "I feel I know you, you have been so kind over the years and have gone that second mile for the no-shows even tho we always wanted to come to the re- unions. Leonard always loved all of the Army buddies. We spent many happy times with Max and Nancy Nicoson and Roy and Marie King, very fond memories." Dee Massey jorry I didn't make it to Nashville. I had hoped to. George and Bonnie Matthews "Mac, I did miss your letters but too thick-headed to realize you were not feeling tops. Thank you for the open letter. I think it was a great idea. Just between you and me, I'll bet we all have talked to the man upstairs and mentioned your name." Elfriede Pennington she regreted the news of Macs poor health, She related a few of her problems like falling from the stepladder twice trying to take care of her house. Jack and Dorothy Price "Mac, the world is a better place for the actions of men like you. I"m unabashed when I say I love youand am proud to have been your friend and fellow member of the 743rd Railway Operating Battalion." John and Mary Rabbit Jack expressed his regrets and then went on to relate his experience with the video "Traine at Wart His kids taped it for him since they do not have cable TV. "After some 50 min- utes on came Charlie Zies. They showed a picture of 4 or 5 people from the 743rd R.O.B.. I nearly had a heart attack when my picture came in that picture. Of all the men, mine came up. Of course I didn't remember the circumstances Walter Rumsey "God knows, I'm wishing you a full recovery. My legs are giving me trouble, due to old age, I guess. Like the old song ---"Don't Get Around Much Anymore." Kathryn and Joe Schneider "Mac, you are Gn our prayers every night. We love you so much - when you hurt, we hurt.” Nell Jacobs Smith "I hope you are feel- ing better and we can all have Happy Holidays." Nell reported that she had a great visit in Nashville.Page 2 'S MESSAGE To our Dearest Friends, This will be the last Newsletter from Oregon, and not an easy one to work on. Mac has written over 5,000 letters, personal answlers, to his 743rd R.OB. buddies and/or their families. He has been teased about “his” typing of the newsletter. I would like everyone to know that was the very least of the work. If Mac had not stayed with his letter writing, there would have been no Mail Call, no personal statistics, many Memorials would have ‘been missed —- in fact there would not |have been much other than hotel reservation information. It was Mac alone keeping up full steam, I merely put it on paper, and that was my pleasure. I rarely write so much as a note, let alone a letter. ‘The closeness and the unity of this very fine organization has proved the “Magic” of Communication. ‘When Mac passed away the flowers, cards, donations to the Shrine Hospital for Cripple Children, as well as other favorite charities have been absolutely tremendous. The large funeral home did not hold everyone, some heard the speaker system outside. It was quite a tribute and the family felt very blessed. Many friends inquire as to how I am doing and I tell all that I am 100%. Asa powerhouse man like Mac lost functions over the past two years, I did my mourning, ‘The Big Boy outlasted even the doctors wildest estimates. I have a beautiful hand-written note from our personal doctor that I carry and treasure. When’I need it, I have it to read, Now I am able to attend the grandchildren’s school functions, games, concerts, etc... Whenever someone says “Lunch” or “Dinner”, I'm out of here! ‘There is no reason for concern. I really appreciate the many expressions of caring, though. I would like to extend a BIG Thank You to Mark Jones who voluntarily created an address roster that should carry us well into the Millennium. He did an excellent job for all of us and maybe Thank You is hardly a full expression of my appreciation. I will do ‘my best to provide him with any updated information that comes my way. Thave talked to Francis and Evelyn Gross about the Credit Union account and the 743rd R.OB. files that I would like to mail to them, We all know them to be old reunioners and good people. They are assisting Kenneth and Martha Jennings with the 1998 reunion and the reservation forms or cards are all that is left to do, as far as the reunion goes. ‘Martha Jennins has furnished us the place and dates. Martha spoke of some tentative plans for the airport shuffle when she wrote. Nothing has been finalized so that information will undoubtedly come with the reservation notices. Any questions, please call The Jennings (765) 966-1896 or The Grosses (317) 535-8073. The reunion is the place to find a new Editor if none surfaces prior to it. I feel some computer smart person might come to our rescue. T'm still one of you and you have not seen the last of me. Love is in my heart for all you great people! Qwrs Gejenie