The NPG NEWS

The Newsletter of the Nike Preservation Group

Volume 2, Issue 3
March 1999
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Nike Preservation Group, Inc, 21277 Clare Avenue, Noblesville, Indiana 46060
Editors: Don and Susan Peterson, Phone: (317)776-3868 E-mail: dspeterson@musa.org

NPG Newsletter Changes Format

March 10, 1999 - NPG Board directs changes in publishing format

Don Peterson, Co-Editor of the NPG Newsletter, recently advised the NPG Board of Directors to review the newsletter format. The change is hoped to facilitate better distribution of the newsletter at a lower cost to the NPG. Accompanying the format change will be the simpler name 'The NPG News".

The plan is to begin e-mailing the newsletter to individuals who are interested in the organization but are reluctant to provide a traditional mailing address. We can also share our newsletter with other organizations at no cost to the NPG. All NPG members will continue to receive the newsletter by traditional mail.

"We can make distribution easier and faster while saving a considerable amount on printing and postage." said Don Peterson. The original format, using Micro Soft Publisher, required an enormous amount of space and had to be compressed to be e-mailed.

Some time in the future the NPG hopes to create their own website, which will have the newsletters available for downloading. Currently Ed Thelen posts the newsletters on his site (http://ed-thelen.org).

Letters to the Editor

Nike Preservation Group,

Please forgive me for posting my complaint. Many of us still have contact with people in or ready to retire from the American military. I am appalled by the stories I am hearing so I am taking the only pathway I have - public distribution of a growing problem.

Our Retirees and former service men are getting a shafting from the same Government they served. We're told there isn't enough money to fund VA hospitals or to provide medical help to retirees in military hospitals while politicians add additional income to their already wonderful retirement income. Unless we make our viewpoints known to Washington politicians the problem will only get worse.

Northwest Indiana need their own VA hospital. Yes, we have a clinic but if an examination is required that is beyond the expertise of clinic doctors the old service man is transported to the West Side or Lake Side hospital. Please let me know how you feel about this. I am NOT trying to start a flame war. All I want is see that the Government gives us what they promised when we served our enlistments.

Angus "Scotty" Robinson


Simple Soldier
From Angus P. Robinson


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JUST A SIMPLE SOLDIER

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast.
And he sat around the legion telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done 
in his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes everyone. 

And tho sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, 
all his buddies listened for they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bob has passed away, 
and the worlds a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

When the politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, 
while thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories, from the time that they were young,
but the passing of a soldier, goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution, to the welfare of our land, 
some jerk that breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife, 
goes off to serve his country and offers up his life?

The politicians stipend and the style in which he lives, 
are sometimes disproportionate, to the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier who offered up his all, 
is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension small.

Its so easy to forget them for it is so long ago, 
that our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys went to battle, but we know.

It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys, 
who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand, 
would you really want some cop-out, with his ever-waffling stand?

Or would you want a soldier, who has sworn to defend, 
his home, his kin, and country, and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin, 
but presence should remind us, we may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldiers part 
is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor, while he's here to hear the praise, 
then at least lets give him homage, at the ending of his days. 



Perhaps a simple headline, in the papers that might say:

OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.

AVAILABLE NOW

"The Nike Hercules Story"

as told by the United States Army


This historic footage tells the public affairs version of the Nike Hercules development and deployment 30 minutes of family entertainment. Yours free when you make a donation to the Nike Preservation Group of $18.00 or more.

Send your donation to:

The Nike Preservation Group, Inc.
21277 Clare Avenue
Noblesville, Indiana 46060

Available in VHS only. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

The Nike Hercules Story - produced in 1958/59 by Herbert Kerkow, Inc. of New York


New Members Since Last Month

Roger L. Harrison
Lafayette, Indiana
His father served at Porter, Indiana (C-32) 1957-65
James E. Scott
Evansville, Indiana
Nike Veteran: Korea 1975-76
Fort Bliss. Texas 1976-77

Membership Update
by Susan Peterson

Since the implementation of annual membership dues, The Nike Preservation Group has had 16 members from 1998 join us for 1999! This includes 4 lifetime memberships! Thanks to all of you for your support of our common cause. The NPG Board of Directors is committed to sending the newsletter to all of the members who joined us in 1998 even if not everyone has paid their 1999 dues yet. We will do this as long as it is financially feasible. 1998 members who have not yet joined for 1999 - The NPG needs your support if you are willing and able!

National Register Update
by Susan Peterson

Paul Diebold, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology, recently confirmed that the nomination process is ongoing. Paul suggested that the State of Indiana should hear something very soon concerning the nomination of C47 to The National Register of Historic Places. The GSA has been carefully reviewing the nomination since last year.

The National Register files show that on March 15, 1999 the National Park Service sent a letter to the GSA supporting the National Register eligibility of the C47 Nike site, based on the preliminary nomination provided by GSA.

"It is likely that the GSA has been attempting to delay or de-rail the nomination, as they have in the past." said Don Peterson, Spokesperson for the NPG. "Generally I believe that no news is good news. I expected the process to be a lengthy one, as you would expect, when several federal agencies are involved."

The National Park Service is currently waiting the formal submittal of the National Register nomination, from the GSA, for consideration of C47 as a National Historic Site.

In Search of W-92 Veterans

New member Steve Moungelis, retired Marine Captain, is currently living next door to the former W-92 Launcher Area in Gaithersburg, MD. Steve would like to contact any Nike veterans who served atW-92 Call Steve collect at 301-963-1956 Thanks