Post-Everlasting Memoriam
Ladies and Gentlemen of American Legion Post AU03, it is my sad duty to report that the following Comrades have been called from our midst, and gone to report to the Great Commander of all.
We honour the memory of those who offered their lives in the service of country and who have now enrolled in that Great Spirit Army, whose footfalls cause no sound but in the memory of mankind, their souls go marching on, sustained by the pride of service in time of War.
Because of them, our lives are free; because of them our nation lives; because of them, the world is blessed. May this memorial deepen our reverence for our departed Comrades.
Our Heavenly Father in his infinite wisdom has transferred Comrades:
2019
Lloyd F. Klein, SSGT USAF, Dob: 27 October 1920, from Bemidji, Minnesota, enlisted 5 December 1941 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota as an Airplane and Engine Mechanic.
He was a Lumberyard Man prior to his Enlistment. Bemidji, Minnesota is the Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox Statues.
He separated from the Airforce 6 November 1945. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Service Medal, the American Défense Service Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and six Overseas Service Bars. WWII.
He was a Paid for Life Member of Post AU03, since 2000 (19 years), for the last six years he was being cared for by his 59-year-old son Barry at Barellan Point, Qld.
Francis Joseph Pitt, US Army Transportation Service (Merchant Marine), Australia Army and Volunteer Corps, Joined as an Able Seaman, Dob: 18 May 1923:
From Brisbane Australia. Frank was a Digger in the Australian Army Prior to WWII, Joined 26 May 1942 to September 1946. He entered the service at Hamilton Warf Hamilton, Brisbane and was attached to Ships Between Brisbane and Subic Bay Philippines , was awarded the Pacific War Zone Bar Presidential Testimonial Letter, Merchant Marine Emblem, and Honourable Service Button.
He was a Paid for Life member of Post AU03, since 1989 (30 years) he was from Brisbane and Lived his life out at Holland Park, Qld. He used to March on Anzac Day in his Aussie Diggers Uniform with the Australian Army, then join the American Legion and March again with Post AU03.
2020
Robert Leonard Stone Jr, US Army, passed away on Christmas Day 2020
Robert (Bob) was born on 30 August 1947 in Braintree Massachusetts and died 25 December 2020 in Cebu Philipines. The eldest son of Robert Leonard Stone Sr and Julia-Ann Shimskie. He is survived by his brothers Michael and Matthew (Boston, Massachusetts), Jeffrey (Sydney, Australia), his sister Laurie (Denver, Colorado) as well as his sons, Andrew & Jamie Stone (Gold Coast, Australia), his first wife Cheryl Stone (Gold Coast, Australia) and his wife at death Joy Miguel and children Brian, Javye and Grace (Cebu, Philipines). He joins his mother and father and his eldest son, Robert Leonard Stone the 3rd in the after-life.
Graduating from Archbishop Williams High School Class of 1965 in Braintree, he then went on to attend Cranwell Prep before completing 1 year at St Bonnaventure University New York. Leaving St Bonnaventure to enrol in the US Army, Private Robert L Stone graduated from the US Army Medical Service on 28 June 1968. Following that, he served his country in the Vietnam War before being honourably discharged from the Army on 1 March 1974. Before that discharge and on 21 July 1970, Bob received The Bronze Star Medal for "Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces".
While stationed in Munich Germany, Bob met Australian Cheryl Elsie Stone. After their courtship and subsequent marriage, they had 2 eldest sons (Robert and Jamie) while living in Braintree. Before too long, the family found themselves living in Melbourne Australia, before moving to the Gold Coast in approximately 1978.
In 1980, third and final son Andrew Stone was born and by then, Bob had embraced Australian life, even so far as being accepted as an Official into the Australia Surf Life Saving Association at the Nobbys Beach Surf Club. During this time Bob became well entrenched in not just Australia life but the Gold Coast community, all the while never forgetting his American roots.
From 1982 - 1987, Bob served as the American Legions Post AU02 Commander for the Gold Coast. Serving both the people of the Gold Coast and the United States, the American Legion saw many great events during this time including the ever-popular 4th of July functions and even hosting visiting dignitaries such as Admiral James Aloysius "Ace" Lyons, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet between1985 - 1987.
Bob sadly passed on 25 December 2020 in the care of his wife Joy Miguel Stone and sons Brian, Javye, and daughter Grace in Cebu City Philipines. Having lived there for almost 5 years before his death, Bob had found peace and happiness in his later years. He continued to serve the interests of the American people and in particular, Philipines-based veterans by being actively involved with veterans affairs and other veterans organisations such as the American Legion.
For those that knew Bob, we will all agree that he was larger than life and will be missed.
Rest in Peace!
2022
CHRISTINE HERRIETTA BLOCKSIDGE
Sadly passed away 7 February 2022. Christine was a long time member of Post AU03. She was Historian and was A Vietnam Vet, serving in Country from 1969 to 1971 as a Nurse. She was born 13 January 1941. Funeral was attended by Marvin Donnell, Jerry Bongard, Larry Walker, David Walker, and Larry Sieler, along with Bugler Loren Folster. Taps and the Last Post were performed as well as a Poppy Ceremony by the Redcliffe RSL. Christine will be missed by all who knew her and her little Chihuahua Vinnie.
2023
Marvin Donnell (Chaplain, American Legion Post AU03)
Sadly passed away Sunday March 19th at his home in Greensboro North Carolina. USAF Served in the Air Force from 1962 to 1966
Overseas duty in Yokota Japan, 1963-1965.
University training 1966-1971, BA Degree in Bible.
Moved to Australia in 1975, lived in Canberra 1975-1998.
Moved to Brisbane Queensland area in 1998
Joined American Legion in 2016 and was Post AU03 Chaplin till Moving in 2022 back to Hometown, Greensboro, NC. He lost his battle with Cancer, and will always be remembered by all those who knew him.
They have all been transferred to the Post Everlasting.
LEST WE FORGET.