CELEBRATE – Veterans & 2014 HOF

Connections- around the world.

For nine decades the NBC/NBGC has provided a solid footing and a stable community for its members, their families and our alumni. But never more so than during WWII. 

Founder Robert Buehler’s brother was serving overseas and sending frequent letters home. Mr. Buehler got the idea of creating a newsletter to send to all the servicemen keeping them up to date on Club activities and in touch with their fellow soldiers. He spoke with Executive Director Dick Valentine and colleague Jim Desherow, and they started the Service Papers- which were sent to our NBC troops all over the globe. (A link to a Service Paper can be found in our “Making History” blog post.)

The following link has excerpts from letters sent home by our members:

The NBC’s impact on our members (click)

While stationed in northern Africa two NBCers run into each other:

Halfway around the world (click)

​The Service Papers were so important to the soldiers, Hall of Fame Member and veteran Ray Donner collected them and published some of them in a book:

A gift to the NBC (click)

“Better Men: The Story of Neighborhood Boys Club Alumni in WWII” (click)

Connections- here at home

​The Club kept current members in touch with their teammates serving overseas with weekly updates in the Monkeyshines:

“You And Me” Jan. 29, 1945 (click)

“You and Me” March 15, 1945 (click)

An annual football tournament was organized on Veteran’s Day to remember the”19″- NBC members who died in action during WWII. By 1970 that number had grown to the “24”:

The “19” (click)

The “24” (click)

Connections- each and every one

And, of course, the Club connected in a very personal way with its members and their families. Follow the story of Martin Joyce, his impact on the Club and the Club’s impact on him:

Martin Joyce (click)

A letter home (click)

Killed in action (click)

Letter from the NBC to the Martin family (click)

Memorial mass (click)

Purple Heart (click)
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Finally, we would like to honor our Hall of Fame members who have fulfilled their ultimate duty and served in the military.

We’ve done a lot of research- but it if we’ve missed any Hall of Fame members who were veterans- please forgive us– and contact us so we can add their name.
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Author: NBGC Dev Website Admin