TAPS 2010

Legionnaires,

     It is with a saddened heart that I report, the Supreme Commander has called the following veterans to Him.

 Harvie Lee Stinger, 74, of Troy, Mich. passed away 7 Jan., 2010.  (USAF Ret.)  

Harvie was born in a log cabin in Overton County, Tenn. Jan. 10, 1935 to the late Alexander and Hennie Stringer. He grew up in Cookeville, TN with seven brothers and sisters. He attended Tennessee Tech. and would later graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Southern College.  Stringer always wanted to fly and he pursued that dream by joining the U.S. Air Force. He became a helicopter pilot and served his country for 20 years. He was with the Jolly Green Giants, flying para-rescue missions during Vietnam, successfully completing numerous rescues in difficult situations. After Vietnam, he was an instructor for the United States Coast Guard helicopter Search and Rescue. Over the course of his career, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Silver Star, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, and Air Medal with First through Seventh Oak Leaf Cluster. He has been a member of numerous organizations, including the American Legion, VFW, Elks, Moose Lodge, and USAA. Stringer also founded the Rochester Elks Dance Club. He was the devoted husband of 21 years to Joan Hisle Beck Stringer and the late Audrey Peters.

Marco "Mike" Adragna, 78, of Sterling Heights, Mich. passed away 10 Jan., 2010.  (USMC)

He was born Oct. 26, 1931, to Vito and Rose Adragna in Detroit. He was a Korean Marine Corps veteran and a proud member of: Marine Corps League Macomb County, American Legion Post 351 and 44, VFW Post 6250, Marine Corps Association, Korean War Veterans Association Post 256, Chosen Few Michigan Division, First Marine Division Association, St. Ronald Church Men’s Club, and very proud executive director of the Macomb County Korean War Memorial. He is survived by his wife Grace (nee Barravecchia), children: Rosemarie (Craig Elliott) Adragna-Elliott, Mary Adragna, and William (Lori) Adragna; son-in-law Dan Martin; nine grandchildren.

Duane C. Williams, 87, of Utica, Mich. passed away 16 Jan., 2010. 

He was born Apr. 5, 1922, in Detroit. Williams was a veteran and employed as telephone switchman with Michigan Bell.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 351.  He was the beloved husband of Bette Williams.

Arthur F. Kuligowski, 92, of Utica, Mich. passed away 9 Apr., 2010.  (Army)

He was a WWII Army veteran involved in the invasion of Normandy, Omaha Beach, and the Battle of the Bulge in the 44th Infantry Division. He was a driver for the Detroit Times and later retired from the Detroit News. A longtime member and usher at St. Lawrence Parish, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Lawrence Council as a 4th Degree Knight, American Legion Post 351 40/8th, VFW, Elks and the Catholic War Veterans. He also participated as a Color Guard member for both the American Legion and VFW.  He was a devoted husband to Mary for 64 years, a father and a very special person to all who knew him.

Richard Sawicki, 82, of Gaylord, Mich. passed away 29 Apr., 2010.  (Navy)  Past Commander of our Post.

Rich was born in New York City, N.Y., June 8, 1927, the son of Joseph and Irene (Meyer) Sawicki.  He served in the United States Navy during WW II as a part of the Pacific Theater Operations.  He married Donna C. Lytle, whom he’d known since the age of 10, on Nov. 8, 1947.  Rich and his family moved from Utica to Gaylord in 1973.  He was a past commander and lifelong member of the American Legion #351 Victor Rieck Post and a member of the Clyde Wilkes VFW Post #1518.  Rich is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Mary Sawicki Freeman of Gaylord, Thomas (Valerie) of Sterling Heights, Philip (Nancy) of Gaylord, Kathryn (John) Winter of Petoskey and Robert (Heather) of Gaylord; 10 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.

Stephen Gronkiewicz, 77, of Shelby Township, passed away 7 May, 2010. (Army)

He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a tank commander.  Steve belonged to American Legion Victor Rieck Post #351.  He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus #3042 where he was a past Grand Knight and former District Deputy and past State Ceremonials Director, and a member of the Fourth Degree.  Steve was married to Joann for 56 cherished years and was the loving father of Kim (Jasper) Sciuto and Kevin (Roxanne).

He was a United States Marine Corps veteran and Post 351 member.  He is survived by his wife Elaine H. (nee Bylow) and children Jane (Ken) Lucas and James (Bonnie). Proud grandfather of Paige, Paul, Rachel, Erik, John & Nicole. Great grandfather of Emmett.