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WHAT'S NEW
June 26, 2008
Colonel George Lesko is making his final approach and is flying on instruments because of the weather.
He makes radio contact often and is cheerful.
In his own way, he has loved everyone who has joined him on his long and colorful flight.
He will land when and where he chooses .....like always.
Heart of America POW Chapter group photo's taken at the Branson, Missouri
Veterans Day event 8 -11 November 2006 Click
here for photos
9/6/06 - Jim Spaw, Visual Information Specialist for the VA provided following
photo's.
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| Ed
Slater applauds as Commander Lesko presents a check to VA Coordinator
Tony Zapata for appliances purchased by the POW Chapter and dedicated
to Room 3424. |
POW
Commander George Lesko, Dwenna Greer, Ed Slater and Tony Zapata. |
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| Kent
Hill, Ed Slater and Tony Zapata. Ed Slater was awarded a Service Plaque
for VA Service. |
Kansas
City VA Administrator - Kent Hill POW Chapter Commander - George Lesko
VA Public Service Officer (POW) - Ed Slater VA Medical Doctor - Dr.
Dixon VA Coordinator - Tony Zapata |
 A
rare incident - to have three POW Commanders representing three geographical
areas together at our Kansas City bi-monthly luncheon/meeting on 16 July
06 at the Independence, Missouri American Legion facility. Photo was taken
by Eugene Wopata who is also the Missouri Vice Commander. Left to right
- Col. George Lesko - Heart of America POW Chapter Commander (Kansas City
area), Gerald Harvey - the National POW Commander encompassing all of
the United States, and Don Redding - Department of Missouri POW Commander
These
former POW's and Delta Endecott graciously volunteered their time and
expense to sell Daisys at Osage Beach on the Lake of the Ozarks (Missouri)
on June 9th and 10th, 2006. Thanks to all of them for their effort".
Photographs of the majority of 20 POW's that performed the "Final
Salute" to Bill Seevers who expired June 17, 2006. POW Chapter Commander
George Lesko presented a folded flag to Jerry Seevers. Many wives of the
Chapter members attended. Photo's were taken by Gene Wopata
click here for photos
The Kansas City VA Medical Center had their annual POW RECOGNITION
CEREMONY on April 7, 2006. Carolyn Wright opened the ceremony
and Gary Swanson was the guest speaker. Gary is a volunteer for the Veterans
History Project of the Library of Congress and in August 2005, he was
recognized as the number one interviewer. As of March 13, 2006, Gary has
conducted 630 + video taped interviews of World War II veterans, all of
whom have received a copy of their interview. Click
here for photos
"Only
in America" - A roast honoring Carl J. DiCapo, civic leader extraordinaire,
Hyatt Regency Crown Center April 4, 2006
Click Here for Photos
Sunday,19
March 06 - A Heart of America Chapter quarterly Luncheon and Business
meeting was held at the Independence, Missouri American Legion facility
on Sunday,19 March 06. Sixty attended and talented vocalist, Rikki Parker,
provided the entertainment. Rikki is the granddaughter of POW Chapter
member Bill Seevers. Click here for
photo's
Closing
Presentation of Stalag 17 at the Barn Players community theater in Mission,
Kansas. Click Here for photo.
3/1
-Thank you card from Vida Bilales (click here)
"Dear Col. Lesko: On behalf of the
board, production crew, actors and audience, I wanted to thank you and
your group for participating in our production of Stalag 17. Everyone
was so impressed with their interactions with you. You and your colleagues
added a wonderful texture to the production and we thank you for the time
spent with us. Please visit us at The Barn again.
Sincerely,
Vida Bikales
Secretary of the Board"
On Valentines
day the Veterans Administration (VA) had a party after our scheduled
9:00 AM POW meeting and had guests from the VA and Kansas City's Channel
5 - and the anchors - Carolyn Long and Ann Peterson. It was a pleasant
surprise and the food was superb. Gene Wopata took many photo's - a few
which are included. Be sure to click on any photo to expand it. Click
here to see the photos
1/25/06
- Ed Slater discovered another survivor that he assumed was dead for the
last fifty five (55) years!! Click
here for the story
Inaugurating
the POW Chapter Officer's on January 2006
The 2006 "Heart
of America POW Chapter" held their 15 January 06 meeting at the American
Legion facility in the Kansas City area and inaugurated George Lesko as
Commander, William (Bill) Reno as Vice Commander and William (Bill) Davis
as Junior Vice Commander"' Bill Davis was not present due to family
illnesses and Wendell Fetters graciously substituted for Junior Vice Commander
Davis. Lois Rapp continues as our knowable great lovely financial expert
and outgoing Commander Don Redding gave an outstanding speech. Ed Slater
swore the officer's in with a perfect swearing - in ceremony. Jack Cook
provided some photo's and Doe Cook made some outstanding gifts for many
of the attendance - thanks "Doe" for making our event so great
Click here for photos.
8/26/05
- Annual Ginger Monument Dedication - Photos
Schoeneck, August 26, 2005...
Dear American Amis
Dear Norman, Dear All and Butch, dear George...
This morning at 11. 40, sixty and one years after the crash of Ginger
and it tragic disappearance of your companions of crew, we collected ourselves
with the Memorial of the Aviators with the Veterans of Schoeneck and the
members of the French Memory of Forbach.
Marcel KRONENBERGER new chef of Schoeneck Veterans chaired the ceremony.
Paul Fellinger mayor of Schoeneck and Trails Blazers was also present.
With much of emotion we deposited the sheaf on your behalf.
We thought very intensely of your companions and you. Never we will forget
their courage. Large east the affection which binds us to all your crew,
and in particular with you survivors of these glorious hours.
Homages and sincere friendships of France.
Cathy et Raymond Engelbreit - and all inhabitants of the village.
-------------------------------
Schoeneck, 26 août 2005 ...
Chers Amis Américains
Cher Norman, Cher All et Butch, cher George ...
Ce matin à 11 h 40, soixante et un ans apres le crash du Ginger
et la tragique disparition de vos compagnons d'équipage, nous nous
sommes recueillis au Mémorial des Aviateurs avec les Vétérans
de Schoeneck et les membres du Souvenir Français de Forbach.
Marcel KRONENBERGER nouveau président des Vétérans
de Schoeneck présidait la cérémonie. Paul Fellinger
maire de Schoeneck et les Trails Blazers étaient également
présents. Avec beaucoup d'émotion nous avons déposé
la gerbe en votre nom.
Nous avons pensé très intensément à vos compagnons
et à vous.
Jamais nous n'oublierons leur courage. Grande est l'affection qui nous
lie à tout votre équipage, et tout spécialement à
vous les survivants de ces heures glorieuses.
Hommages et amitiés sincères de France.
Cathy et Raymond Engelbreit
8/28/05
- The survivors - AL Lang, Norman Phillips and George Lesko in response
to the message from the French village of Schoeneck.
click here to read.
20
Heart of America ex POW's and their families participated in the Paola
Kansas POW parade on July 27, 2005.
George
Lesko celebrated his 81 st. Birthday June 17, 2005
Click
Here for photos
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EX POW Belton, MO Parade - 25 June 2005
" L to R - Bob Rudolph, Bill Seevers, Jack Rheuark, Charles Sibert
(seated), Jake Simonitsch (behind car), Jack Cook, Bill Griner and
Commander Don Redding".
Photo provided by Ex POW Charles Sibert. |
| The
Air Force Association held their Kansas City area annual luncheon
meeting at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) facility on Old Santa
Fe Road on Saturday, April 30, 2005. They paid tribute
to the local Heart of America Chapter and Chapter POW's - Bob Jackson,
Eugene Wopata, Donald Boyer, Paul Bosworth, George Lesko, Donald Fletcher
and his wife Mildred, and Frank Plesa and his wife Rose who attended
the luncheon meeting. Each Ex POW gave a short talk about their POW
experience. Click Here for photos |
Army
bases currently proposed for closure or realignment in 2005
for a list click here
|
POW/MIA
Day - Whiteman AFB, 9/15/2000 photos
click here
The
Missouri State POW meeting was held at Osage Beach, Missouri on the
Lake of the Ozarks at the Inn Of The Grand Glaze April 27th and 28th,
2005. Commander Don Redding stated that they had an excellent speaker,
Colonel Gary Morsch who has served as a medical doctor in Iraq and
is active in the Heart to Heart program. Colonel Morsch in a nephew
of our past commander - Mark Moore. The next Missouri State POW Meeting
will be held at Branson, Missouri. Photos
click here
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George and Grandson Seth -
Shot on April 22, 2005 |
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| George
Lesko's son Greg bagged this trophy turkey (24 and 1/2 pounds) and
he shot it mid morning on May 6, 2005 |
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