The Association’s “Honor Roll” Book
At the last Reunion, the surviving spouse of a deceased member
looked for her husband’s listing in the “Honor Roll” book displayed
at the Memorial Banquet.
Not finding his name in the book, she enquired about why it was not
there. The purpose of this brief article is to explain how the
Association’s Official Honor Roll has evolved with time and
technology.
As you well know from the size of the TAPS section of the Taro
Leaf, the number of our members departing this earth is ever
increasing. What this has meant is that the traditional or historic
Honor Roll Book has evolved to become a “Symbolic Honor Roll Book,”
kept by the Chaplain to be used only for the ceremony at the
Reunion’s Memorial Banquet. No names have been added to it for a
number of years now.
"Symbolic Honor Roll” book at the 2007 Annual Reunion—Photo by Walt
Daugherty
This does not, however, mean that the Association does not maintain
its Honor Roll.
With newer computer technologies, the Official Association Honor
Roll is now maintained as a computer file, with annual printouts
made and displayed at the Reception Room at each annual reunion (see
photo of one page below left).
Because it is a computer file, printouts may be arranged in
different formats. For example, the copy on display in the
Hospitality Room at the Springfield Reunion had five sections: 1)
those Killed in Action or Died of Wounds during WWII (1,483), 2)
Korea (4,065), 3) Desert Storm (14), 4) all others who have passed
away for reasons other than combat (Non-Battle Deceased-3,099), and
5) those who have passed away since the last reunion (75).
Each time a new name is received, it is entered on the Master Honor
Roll, and also on the appropriate sub-roster. Please note that this
Honor Roll is not limited to Association Members, but includes
anyone eligible to be an Active Member.
Above: Photo of the present-day “Honor Roll” on display in the
Hospitality Room at the Springfield Reunion; Past President Morrison
maintains and prints this version. Photo by the Editor.
This Official Association Honor Roll is maintained by Past President
Wes Morrison on his personal computer in Marina, CA. To ensure that
it is secure, frequent copies of this file are to be stored off site
from Mr. Morrison’s computer with the Secretary-Treasurer.
We sincerely appreciate the extra effort Mr. Morrison devotes to
maintaining the Association’s Official Honor Roll, and hope that
this article will allay any possible future concerns. The spouse
mentioned above was relieved to learn that her husband is indeed
listed in the Association’s Official Honor Roll!
The Taro Leaf, Vol. 63(1) Winter 2009, pg. 11.