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![]() U.S. Army's 6th Battalion 14th Artillery Regiment |
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Weemo Wubbena
Seen in central photo from left to right:
Bill and Other 6/14 Veterans: This saddens me very deeply I had the wonderful good fortune to have dinner with Weemo, Weemo's wife and Bill a few years ago in Alexandria, VA. I think it is one of the best memories of my life and certainly one of the best memories of the Vietnam War. (even though it happened thirty years later.) Weemo accepted me as a young officer with "possible potential", despite what he knew was a meteoric descent from favor in 41st Artillery Group where the Group Commander and I had a "running gun battle". Captains usually lose those sorts of contests with Colonels and my case was no exception. Weemo took me on anyway and told me he had faith in me and "maybe" it was not all my fault. "Maybe" he could teach me, and "maybe" I could learn to be a good officer in 6/14. I didn't really think I was a "worthless" officer but I damn sure wanted to prove myself to Weemo and I worked hard at that. I had the most wonderful business partner in the world in the person of 1LT William Holmes, who Weemo KNEW to be the smartest, most dedicated officer in the battalion. What a TREMENDOUS commander who gives his best and brightest to a tarnished subordinate, precisely because he knew that redemption was a tough goal. I will FOREVER be grateful for that and have never ceased to be. Over time that was a wonderful lesson in leadership. I tried to pass that on to some of my own subordinates over the years. I hope I was successful. When I worked for Weemo I faced a tough challenge. It was time to grow up. I was 26 years old and I couldn't be a teenager any more. Even in 1999, Weemo called me a "free spirit" and I know EXACTLY what he meant. He was telling me I had tried hard and I hadn't disappointed him but we both knew that "maturity" had always come hard for me and even at age 60, I'm still not all the way there. I loved Weemo very, very much. He was the really great Dad that most of us want but don't always find. He was the guy who taught me the value of homework. I don't remember discussing it with him, but I know he agreed with Robert E. Lee: "Duty is the most sublime word in the English language". Weemo was a worthy legatee of Lee's leadership and tradition and I will hold a special reserved place in my heart for him, forever. Tom Verdel
Col. Wubbena was the only
commander that I have been in touch with for
Sherman Loy
Unfortunately, brave and strong
Col. Wubbena could not fight an un-ending battle. This battle is
called Cancer. It took him from us.
Charles Maldonado
Here are three remembrances I have of Weemo:
Bill Holmes
When we were at Dakto he visited a lot more than the previous commander. I wrote a Christmas song and play and sang it at a little christmas party we had at Dakto that Col. Wubbena attended. Even mentioned his name in it. I mentioned it to Rouse, Timberlake, and Elwell at the reunion and they remembered it too. It was to the tune of Burl Ives' Holly Jolly Christmas. I remember Wubbena's smile. May God bless and keep his family, you and yours. Walter "Sam" Smith
Tribute To Weemo -- A Warrior Recollections of this outstanding CO of the 6th/14th, Colonel William L. Wubbena Jr. scroll by for me in flash sequences: his arrival in July 1967 following a recent major enemy attack on Artillery Hill; his hard-charging spirit to insure all were ready for subsequent enemy hits while concurrently insuring supporting artillery for area units; exhibiting a morale sensitive attitude that insured enlisted personnel enjoyed priority over officers in the receipt of comfort items, the latter highlighted by directing officers give the EM a break on Christmas Eve by pulling their walking guard duty for them. Weemo's paramount concern was mission accomplishment, which would insure getting the maximum number of men home safely -- an achievement realized with a minimum number of casualties -- and zero deaths during the time of my tour with him. His always caring and charming personality at our reunions will be missed. Tony De Angelis
Marie Wubbena - March 10, 2003 Weemo's services with full military honors on March 5th at Ft. Myer/Arlington National Cemetary was beautiful and the reception was a wonderful celebration of his life. Several members of the 6th of the 14th Artillery were present which was very comforting to me. Here is a photo for the commemorative web page.
I recall when Major Wubbena arrived on the Hill and the change of command being passed from LTC Andrew Mansinee to then Major Wubbena. Major Wubbena already had been selected for promotion to LTC and soon his promotion to LTC occurred. Major Wubbena was a very caring commander who visited us occasionally on guard duty and would provide words of encouragement and praise. I felt he was a true leader. Albert Trussoni
We have made available to you the folio handed out at the service for Weemo at Arlington Cemetary It is in Adobe PDF format and you may download it by clicking on the URL below. If you can not open it you may not have the Adobe PDF Reader. You can download the latest version by clicking on the Acrobat Reader Logo below. If you would like to add a comment, eulogy, or remembrance for Col. Wubbena or you have information, photos, or memorabilia relating to him, do not hesitate to contact us and let us know the nature of your information. If at anytime you find any information that is incorrect, please let us know. |
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