By Maya Jung

 

Over 79 years have not diminished the imposing military bearing and command presence of Colonel John Leach, United States Army (ret.). He looks ready for service and would still command the respect and loyalty to follow into harm’s way.

A Hall of Fame football player at Westerly High School and the University of Rhode Island, John went forth to serve his nation in 1957 – he was decorated with a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and the  Soldier Medal.

His Army career saw two tours in Vietnam as an Airborne Army Ranger – the first tour as a field commander, the second as an inserted combat advisor to Army of the Republic of Vietnam. He was stationed in Germany and South Korea. Many of his missions, operations and career achievements were covert – the results are obvious to this day. Suffice it to say Colonel Leach took a hammer to the Berlin Wall and sent an everlasting message to those who dared to invade the demilitarized zone in Korea.

The Colonel was one of the select few Army officers to attend the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. The college is the “Home of  Thought” for senior military leaders. Upon graduation, Colonel Leach was assigned as an instructor at the college. The Colonel’s assignment there saw him pioneer the use of satellite and computer technology to enhance the effectiveness of soldiers in the field.

Retirement has seen the Colonel, wife Carol and daughter Patty return to establish a final base camp in his native Westerly, RI. The former Bulldog legend takes great joy in mentoring and cheering on the youth of his birthplace. His role modeling inspires new generations.

The Colonel offered this on the importance of Memorial Day – “I wear my Viet Vets Cap only on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. All of the year I seek to honor those in American history who made the ultimate sacrifice that our freedoms and rights would be preserved and flourish – Memorial Day is a yearly event honoring of the timeless sacrifice that our military made and continues to make, that we might live in freedom.”

A hero of few words whose life’s actions speak volumes – American Hero Colonel John Leach at Memorial Day.

 

 

 

 

By Karen Butera

Memorial Day, a day set aside to reflect on those who gave their lives for our country and died during active military service. This day has special meaning for many. None more so than Veterans who have fought for this country and witnessed their comrades in arms give the ultimate sacrifice; their life for our freedom.

One such Veteran is Allan Chase of Moosup. Allan served in the Army during the Vietnam War era. “I signed up right after graduation from high school, knowing that at age 19 I would be drafted anyway.” In March 1966, he found himself serving in Vietnam until March of the following year.

He served in the 1st Infantry of Adjutant General Corps of the Postal Division and was involved in combat operations where he was stationed.

Still proud of the American flag and the country for which he fought, he and his wife Gloria still fly a flag in honor of Memorial Day. “We put it up at half mast in the morning to honor the fallen, and then we fly it at full mast at noon to honor the living,” said Allan. When asked what Memorial Day means to him, he replied, “It is to honor those who sacrificed for the freedom of our nation.”

He is also very excited about the Memorial Day Veteran’s Concert that will be held on the evening of May 23, at the Plainfield High School auditorium. It will be co-sponsored with the high school music department. Seating is free, and everyone is invited to come and enjoy the concert. “There is even a surprise planned for the end of the concert,” said Allan. The Merchant Marines will also be recognized at the concert.

 

Uncasville, CT  – The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority is pleased to welcome Thomas P. Burke as President of Mohegan Gaming Advisors (MGA). In this role, Burke will be responsible for overseeing all management contracts, seeking various business opportunities and supporting the planning efforts relative to future operations being developed for MGA.

“We are thrilled to have such an experienced gaming operator and know that Tom’s vast experience will lend heavily to our expansion efforts, operational efficiencies and, importantly, employee and guest satisfaction strategy,” said Mitchell Etess, President of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority.

Burke has over 35 years of experience within the gaming industry. He started his career at Resorts International Casino Hotel, before taking on multiple promotions and opportunities with such organizations as Tropicana, Trump and Majestic Star, among others. In 1996, Burke was named General Manager of Ameristar Casinos where he managed their Kansas City property.

Posted by: Cathy Soper – email author

Posted in Breaking News, Employment, General News

 

By Bob Offen

As a young boy growing up in Astoria Queens, New York, Ernie Treff would often venture to nearby North Beach Airport (known today as LaGuardia International). There he would spend countless hours watching aircraft taking off and landing.   He dreamed on one day becoming a pilot.

Ernie pursued that dream by attending Manhattan High School of Aviation Training, graduating in 1940 at age 17 as a certified aircraft mechanic. When the United States became involved in World War II Ernie became eligible for the draft.   With high demand for military pilots, the United States Congress passed a law requiring the training of 50,000 pilots per year to support the war effort.   Included in the law was a provision that eliminated the requirement that all pilots had to have a college degree.   That was all Ernie needed to hear.

In December 1942, at age 19, Ernie joined the U. S. Army Air Corps. He flew his first airplane, an open cockpit biplane. From there he progressed to more modern fighter planes and graduated from flight school earning a commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant in, April of 1944. He attended gunnery school at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn., where he learned to fly the P-47 Thunderbolt the plane he would later fly in combat.

In December 1944, at age 21, Ernie was shipped overseas. Stationed in England he was assigned to the 56^th Fighter Group, 61^st Squadron. Ernie flew numerous missions over Eastern Europe, Germany and France. By the end of the war he had amassed over 120 combat hours. His missions included air support for bombing missions and patrols over enemy territory. One of the more memorable missions was when his squadron destroyed 95 enemy aircraft over Eggenbach, Germany.

After the war Ernie returned home, married and began raising a family while at the same time serving in the reserves and National Guard until 1955. Ernie earned his engineering degree from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He worked in the aerospace industry for Rockwell Corporation becoming Assistant Chief Engineer. In 1965 he took a job with Cottrell/Harris Corporation in Pawcatuck. He along with wife Muriel and five children moved to Mumford Cove in Groton. In 1985 he retired as Vice President of Engineering for Harris. Ernie never lost his passion for flying. He continued to fly his own aircraft for both business and pleasure until 1999. Muriel passed away in 2012 after 60 years of marriage.

At age 90, Ernie continues to live a very active life. He is always willing to share his vast knowledge of aviation history. An avid photographer since his teens he can often be found in his office going through his massive collection of photos including many he took during the war.

 

 

Groton – Chelsea Groton Bank saw its profits increase by 17 percent last year, according to financial results released Thursday, thanks largely to one of its best years ever for loan originations.

The Groton-based bank’s profits of $4.75 million last year compared with net income of $4.06 million the prior year.

“We’re sticking to our core business and executing very well,” B. Michael Rauh Jr., Chelsea Groton’s president and chief executive officer, said in an interview this week at the bank’s headquarters on Poquonnock Road. “We focus on customer service.”

Rauh said 2013 was the bank’s second-best year ever for loan originations. Total loans approached $592 million, up 5.5 percent on the year.

Rauh said last year featured strong interest in mortgage refinancing – accounting for more than three-quarters of all residential loan activity. This year, with rising interest rates, he said the bank’s home-purchase loans are accounting for 75 percent of mortgage activity, with refinancing down to 25 percent.

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union may have accounted for about 100 more mortgages than Chelsea Groton last year in the region, but Rauh said the Groton mutual bank’s $117 million in originations made it No. 1 in total dollar volume. Chelsea Groton has 14 local branches.

Rauh said he is proud of the bank’s continued ability to fund local business projects, including Thames Edge at Fairview in Groton, a Starbucks franchise in Norwich, Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream and Mike’s Famous Harley-Davidson in New London.

“As a local company, that’s kind of what we do,” he said.

Rauh added that the bank’s financial-services group had one of its best years ever.

In addition, the bank has seen a dramatic dropoff in nonperforming loans, Rauh said, with no need to set aside additional money for loan losses last year. The bank and its foundation donated more than $300,000 to local charities in 2013, he said.

In addition, Rauh said, the bank’s capital position continues to grow, with 14.1 percent of its assets held in reserve. That’s far above the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s 5 percent minimum for well-capitalized banks, he said.

“We are laying the groundwork for continued success in the years to come,” Rauh said in a statement.

To celebrate its 160th year in business in 2014, Rauh said, Chelsea Groton is giving each of its employees $160 to donate to a cause that they choose – whether it be a homeless shelter, a food pantry or supplies for a classroom.

At its 159th annual meeting Thursday at Mystic Marriott, members of the mutual bank heard a recap of last year’s financial highlights. They also elected Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba, 18th chief of the Mohegan Tribe, as a new board member, while choosing as new corporators Michael Alfultis, director of the University of Connecticut at Avery Point campus, attorney Ellen C. Brown of Groton and financial expert Fred A. Conti of Mystic.

As Worshippers gather atop Meetinghouse Rocks at the Avery Memorial Chapel of First Congregational Church of Norwich, they were greeted with this beautiful image for Easter mooring sunrise services Sunday.  The Rev. William Dunlap commented on the vision by saying “God is good, and blessed us with this vision of hope for the rest of the year to come.”  He went on o say “We have all Become a Different Person This Morning.”