Southern Indiana Unit WBCCI

Southern Indiana Unit members visit the World War II museum at Camp Breckenridge. The mural was painted by a German Prisoner of War in 1944. Some 3,000 German and Italian prisoners were held at the Camp.

SOUTHERN INDIANA UNIT HAS FALL RALLY AT STURGIS

Billy and Beverly Miller and Larry and Linda Abrams are to be applauded for the outstanding rally they put on at the Sturgis, Kentucky Fairgrounds Tues., Sept. 4 through Friday, Sept. 7.

Nine trailers attended the rally: Don and Bonnie Jones, Gary and Wanda Hostetter, Bill and Barbara Schrader, Larry and Linda Abrams, Billy and Beverly Miller, John and Carrie Hays, George and Grace Britt, Daris and Nancy Broglin and Kenny and Phyllis Lowe.

Drive-ins on Thursday included Junior and June Miller, Morris and Shirley Clodfelter and Jack Haines.

The rally had several highlights:

–On Wednesday morning the group caravaned to the Camp Breckenridge Museum and Art Center just outside Morganfield, Kentucky. The Museum is dedicated to the Army camp that was in operation from 1942 through 1966. It covered 36,000 acres and at one point was the base for 55,000 troops. One of the highlights of the museum, which is located in a former Non-Commissioned Officers Club building, were a number of murals that were painted by German and Italian Prisoners of War, who were held at the camp until 1945. The murals are truly remarkable and have been well preserved over the past 55 years.

–Several of the men attending the rally competed in a Bake-Off Contest. The judging was after dinner on Wednesday. Competing were Don Jones, Gary Hostetter, Daris Broglin, Billy Miller, Larry Abrams and Kenny Lowe. Abrams was declared the winner with his peach cobbler.

–Thursday morning the group toured C. and C. Ford’s van conversion operation in the industrial park adjacent to the fairgrounds. The company takes regular vans, extends the top and installs special equipment so they can accommodate wheelchair passengers. ResCare, which started in Sturgis, is the No. 1 customer. The van conversion operation produces 100 of the converted vans a year.

–Thursday ended with a fish fry. The fish filets were from flathead catfish Billy and Junior Miller caught in the Green River in Kentucky. Some of the flatheads weighed as much as 50 pounds. The fish were delicious.

      During the business meeting Thursday evening it was announced that the installation rally for 2008 officers will be Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. at the Sirloin Stockade in Evansville. Region 5 First Vice President Bob Moyers will do the installation.

A slate of officers for 2008 was elected unanimously during the meeting. They are: President – Larry Abrams; First Vice President – Billy Miller; Treasurer – Linda Abrams; and Secretary – Nancy Broglin.

Larry Abrams announced the schedule of events for 2007-08:

–Wed., Dec. 12, 11:30 a.m. Jasper time. Unit Christmas Party at the Schnitzelbank Restaurant in Jasper.

–Thursday, April 17, 11:30 A.M. Eastern Time – Spring Luncheon. Doe Run Inn, Brandenburg, Ky.

–Mon., May 12 – Thur. May 15 – Spring Rally. Madison Fairgrounds, Madison, Ind. A joint rally with the Central Indiana Unit.

–Thur., Oct. 16 – Sunday, Oct. 19 – Second Fall Rally at the home of John and Carrie Hays in Radcliff, Kentucky. Southern Indiana Unit members visit the C&C Fordvan conversion plant adjacent to the Fairgrounds in Sturgis. The company does around 100 conversions a year so they can accommodate handicapped passengers. One of the highlights of the Sturgis Rally was the "World's Greatest Chef" competition. Seven male members of the Unit spent the afternoon baking their very special desert. The seven entries were then brought to the evening dinner for judging. After the evening meal the Unit members all got to sample the seven deserts and then vote on the winner. Larry Abrams, the Southern Indiana Unit's president-elect, was crowned the "World's Greatest Chef" after his peach cobbler was judged No. 1 among the seven entries. John and Carrie Hays were all smiles after their name was picked for the grand prize at the Rally, a cherished Daris Broglin clock.