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SYNOPSYS™ Software > SYNOPSYS™'s Latest Release Features
The update to version 15.75 incorporates the following changes:
1. The STP file converter has been enhanced.Now it displays correctly on all the rendering products we have tested (eDarwings, ABViewer, and SolidWorks).
2. The Chinese Guanming glass catalog has been enhanced with the addition of 33 new glass types.
3. ELD now has an option that lets you enter certain annotations in the input file. So you don't have to type them individually on each element.
4. A new feature, RFS will recast a surface as a Forbes type A surface with type USS 9.
5. The LEO listing formatted some aspheric terms without leaving a space before a minus sign. Although the program had no problem reading the file, it was confusing for humans to read.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The MIT option to smooth a trace crashes if the lens is AFOCAL..
2. The features to recast a surface as a NURBS or extended NURBES surface have an option to only vary half of the control points if the surface is bilaterally symmetric. But the other half was not picked up correctly.
3. ELD did not position the notes for aspheric terms correctly if side 1 had one of the more advanced types.
The update to version 15.74 incorporates the following changes:
1. A new material has been added to the U catalog. SAPBIREF is a birefringent version of sapphire.
2. The MMO dialog now has a button for the WMODEL version of DMODEL.
Bugs Fixed:
1. Multicore footprints turned on quiet mode, but failed to turn it off afterward.
2. THERM did not honor an immersed object. Also, thermal shadowing did not work correctly with DOE surfaces such as type USS 16.
3. PSPRD M ... did not work correctly if the lens had only a single wavelength defined.
4. USE CURRENT + DWG, which annotates an assembly drawing with tolerances, listed the airspace following a cemented element twice.
5. USE CURRENT + DSEARCH no longer leaves a CSTOP in effect if the stop is not in the retained portion. it also deletes any WAP 2 or 3 that is in effect.
The update to version 15.73 incorporates the following changes:
1. THERM now accepts surface 0 for the TH coefficients.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The UNSTATIC declaration did not work.
2. In AEI, the program always tried to vary YP1, even if the current APS surface was not in the active region.
3. The PGA and THERM listings for materials GE-NIR and SILICON-NIR said there were no dn/dt data. Those data are implied for those materials, and the listing now says so.
The update to version 15.72 incorporates the following changes:
1. There were no new features in this update.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The scan function for Image Tools plots (MIT) did not work properly if the lens was AFOCAL. Also, the c/mm scale was incorrect.
2. The third-order pupil aberration DIP was not correct for AFOCAL systems.
The update to version 15.71 incorporates the following changes:
1. The Zemax conversion program ZMC has been modified. Some zmx files come in with a conic constant of zero, but SYNOPSYS treats any surface with a declared CC to be aspheric, which affects many other features, such as graphics rendering. Now it checks, and if the CC is zero, it does not add a CC directive to the RLE file. So the surface remains purely spherical.
2. DSEARCH now allows an AFOCAL directive in the GOALS section. Before, it only assigned that property if you used the current front end and it was declared there. This is more friendly.
3. The program now reorders your wavelengths if you do not observe the protocol: long first, short last. Converting from a different program can come in reversed. The only major difference is the sign of the chromatic aberrations -- but it is s good idea to be consistent everywhere.
4. PAD and DWG now illustrate an immersed object type OBA by drawing the object surface and connecting it to surface 1. That area is presumed filled with the immersion medium.
5. The program that prepares a step file of the lens, STFILE, has been enhanced. Now the native spherical shape and rotationally symmetric edges are all used where appropriate, and we have tested the results on eDrawings and ABViewer. You should not have to use the panel option anymore, which will reduce the size of the step file by almost a factor of 50. The PANELS mode is still available, in case your CAD program stumbles on the new files.
Bugs Fixed:
1. There were no bugs reported this update.
The update to version 15.70 incorporates the following changes:
1. The PANT file now accepts input of the form VLIST parameter jsss THRU jsps, which lets you specify a range of surfaces over which the parameter will be varied. This only applies to certain variable types, as you can read in the UM.
2. The input parser now ignores characters not in the expected character set. Some customers have sent us files with strange characters that produce an error message. Now those are changed to blanks, and if the rest of the file is okay, it will work.
3. Switch 91 is now on by default. That switch designates the current glass properties by coloring the elements in the PAD drawing. This is so useful it makes sense for it to be on.
Bugs Fixed:
1. FVF did not work properly for object type OBD.
2. The search routines have an option to run in QUIET mode to avoid endless text scrolling in the Command Window. But certain error conditions changed the mode, to make it possible to read the message -- and the mode was not reset on the next case. Now it is.
The update to version 15.69 incorporates the following changes:
1. The Zoom Slider now has a Stop button. Click it and the zoom scan freezes at the current position so you can examine it if you wish.
2. The logic related to the stopsign button has been revised. Before, the program would wait for certain routines to finish before halting -- and some of those reset the condition. Now optimization halts almost immediately if you want to stop it.
3. The default switch setting now places switch 1 OFF. That switch drops bounded variables, which makes optimization run faster since they almost always want to continue violating, which takes time to sort out all over again each pass. But if a TH variable is dropped, then when you run the annealing program, it will ignore edge violations via the AEC monitor, since that only applies to current TH variables, and once dropped they no longer apply.
4. ZSEARCH now has a new ZSPACE ITEMIZE feature that lets you specify the exact object parameters and target GIHT at every zoom position. The other spacing options do this automatically, which is better for most users, but if you really want explicit control, now you have it. You are reminded that if your input violates Lagrange's law, the results might make little sense.
5. The default thickness limit parameters (TLIM) are no longer also set by changing space limits (SLIM). It seems to make sense to keep them separate.
6. Drawings in PAD and DWG now show if the object is immersed. If so, they draw a diamond shape touching the object surface, the color (in PAD) derived from the index and dispersion of that medium.
Bugs Fixed:
1. OPD calculations were incorrect if the lens was in AFOCAL mode and had an odd number of reflections.
2. The ZMC command (to convert a Zemax file) did not work properly on zoom lenses.
3. The SCAO aberration did not work properly
4. If you ran a multiconfiguration Monte-Carlo tolerance analysis more than once, it could crash the program.
The update to version 15.68 incorporates the following changes:
1.You can now direct MC to save all of the sample Monte-Carlo cases (up to 100) in case you want to examine them yourself afterward.
2.The THERM program now accounts for the change in surface radius as well as the aperture of retaining rings when adjusting a thickness.
Bugs Fixed:
1.The new ATS analysis that works for almost all surface shapes did not do standard aspherics correctly.
2.THERM analysis did not work properly if the lens had hard CAOs.
3.The program did not clean up the many files called CORESUBnnn.RLE, which are created by some multicore features and are supposed to be temporary files.
4.BTOL could crash if a lens had a real pupil.
The update to version 15.67 incorporates the following changes:
1. ATS (Activate Thermal Shadowing) has been improved. Now it works with almost all surface shapes and with zoom lenses. It also removes any FILLSTOP or CSTOP attributes, following the pupil in ACON 1, scaling the aperture if WAP 2 or 3 is in effect.
2. The precision of RLE files has been increased. This reduces the difference in results from optimizing with switch 99 on and off in multicore mode.
Bugs Fixed:
1. AEI could in some cases change a paraxial pupil into an implied pupil, which is not exactly the same thing.
2. The sequence PAD / ZERO would loop.
3. The HELP buttons in some dialogs did not link to the current help file topic.
The update to version 15.66 incorporates the following changes:
1. The new version of object OBD has been revised. The pupil from a real stop is rotated with skew field, and the new OBD will now follow that same rule, to make things simpler to understand.
2. ACON PICKUPS ... now transfers all ZFILE object data if you specify 1 POB 1. Before, it only transferred data from zoom 1 .
3. SYNOPSYS can now run on a remote desktop. The dongle must be plugged in to that PC for it to work.
Bugs Fixed:
1. AED worked on all lenses, including aspherics. But that makes no sense, since the target to make the paraxial power go to zero ignored the higher orders. Now, AED ignores aspheric elements and the problem goes away.
2. ZDWG did not properly draw rays if the lens used the new OBD object.
3. Multicore optimization with the new switch 99 did not work properly if the optimization failed on the first pass.
4. Hyperhemispheric surfaces were not drawn correctly by CDWG.
5. If you gave a FIXed tolerance to an RFR in BTOL, the summary at the end did not repeat the same value if the element had EFILE data where point "A" was not at the CAO of the lens.
The update to version 15.65 incorporates the following changes:
1. ZSEARCH now lets you specify PLASTIC materials.
2. AED now honors switch 99.
3. The behavior of object type OBD has been revised. Before, the size of the entering beam would change if the first radius of curvature changed -- which made no sense. Now the default pupil with this object type traces a beam with constant size measured perpendicular to the chief ray. This is similar to the effect of the WAP 1 pupil, although the position of the rim rays still varies somewhat if the first radius is steep. Once you change to a real pupil and implement WAP 2 or 3, this size is adjusted, as before.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The TN function crashed in the previous version.
2. The lens layout tool (LLT) crashed if a previous optimization used the SNAP option.
3. Problems were discovered that involved certain combinations of ZSEARCH, OBD, VFIELD, ACONS, PAD SCAN, and optimization with switch 99 turned on.
4. The quick mode in ZSEARCH did not honor all of the SPECIAL AANT entries correctly.
5. The automatic aspheric assignment AAA did not return the best case if any of them encountered ray failures.
6. REVERSE did not work properly on zoom lenses.
The update to version 15.64 incorporates the following changes:
1. DSEARCH now puts color "M" in the optimization file if you requested GSHEAR and multicolors.
2. A new system flag REPUPIL B is now implemented. This is intended for the rare case when the paraxial chief-ray path yields a real ray that traces but comes out on the wrong side of a caustic.
3. You can now MAP the hologram surface frequency on a requested surface. Before, it analyzed the last HOE in the system.
4. DSEARCH now can model aspheres as Forbes type A surfaces.
5. A new monitor ADM will control the minimum diameter/thickness ratio. (Monitor ADT controls the maximum value.)
6. We have reinstated switch 65, which some found useful. It adjusts the entrance pupil for PAD and some other drawing
The update to version 15.63 incorporates the following changes:
1. A new surface shape is available. Type USS 29 is an 8th-power fully-populated polynomial.
2. ZSEARCH now supports object type OBD, as well as ZFOCUS with that object type.
Bugs Fixed:
1. An input error in the DSEARCH file could make multicore operations hang.
2. Entering WAP 2 and then STOP FREE in DSEARCH (which is not allowed) now aborts nicely.
3. The AGROUP option in ZSEARCH was not properly initialized if you had run a previous case.
4. The monitor AZA (automatic zoom airspaces) did not work on group 1 if that group started at surface 1.
The update to version 15.62 incorporates the following changes:
1. A new surface type (USS 29), a fully-populated 8th-order polynomial for freeform surfaces, is implemented.
2. ZFILE zooms lenses with object type OBD are now supported by CAM ZMAG.
3. Two new construction-parameter operands are now available. GSA and GSC will control surfaces with a "gull-wing" shape, which can be difficult to mold in glass.
4. Automatic DOE assignment ADA now supports multicore operation.
5. It is now possible to declare a lens system IMMERSE, which makes all air spaces take the index of the immersion medium. That can be WATER, SEAWATER, or a custom material modeled by GLM coefficients.
6. The program will now support up to 32 cores, doubled from the previous 16 cores.
Bugs Fixed:
1. Multithread raytracing of toric surfaces was incorrect.
2. The CAP listing for systems with object OBD that were assigned VFIELD data was not correct.
3. The Air Force target type in the Image Tools dialog (MIT) displayed incorrect frequency numbers if the reference dimension was specified in lp/mm. The displayed values were divided by 25.4.
4. If you ran ZDWG and then made a FRINGES / PUPIL plot, the plot was not centered correctly on the page.
The update to version 15.61incorporates the following changes:
1.Switch 65 has been deactivated.The effect was similar to the WAP 3 option on lens drawings, and we see no reason to maintain both features.
2.The drawing produced by DSEARCH now automatically ignores feathering, so you can see where the rays go even if they would be stopped. Lenses at this stage often are imperfect, so it makes no sense to delete those rays from the picture.
3.The GIHT parameter in ZSEARCH, used when the several zooms have different values, in AFOCAL mode, now controls the paraxial angle UB,not the height YA.A separate directive controls YA.Also, if the GIHT differs between zooms,the weighting of ray aberrations goes inversely with GIHT, reflecting the fact that smaller field angles require smaller images.
4.A new option is available in ZSEARCH.TSONLY will cause ray grids to correct only the TFAN and SFAN rays instead of a full grid of rays.This runs faster on systems where you don't need the full grid.
5.The program no longer scissors plots before they are displayed.This was a leftover from the batch-mode days, when the Calcomp plotter drivers did not deal gracefully with data that extended off thepage.Since modern graphics drivers are much better, we now allow the picture to extend beyond the page boundaries, so you can see what is out there.(If you print the plot, you still only get the data that fit on the page.)
6.The real-pupil search algorithm has been improved.The search used to fail with some of our examples; those now work properly.
Bugs Fixed:
1.The image tools feature (MIT) now takes into account the incident angle of the chief ray and stretches the image as needed.
2.An input error in the SPECIAL PANT section of DSEARCH input would crash the program.
3.The CSLOPE aberration was listed in the help file in two places. It is a construction parameter aberration, not a ray aberration.
4.The ATC monitor weight would override weighting on subsequent rays.
5.An implied real pupil,designated with APS -1 and a nonzero YPP1,did not work if the implied location was somewhere in image space.
6.The OPD calculation for afocal systems,if not in the major color, had a constant bias if the chief ray was not centered at the final surface.The image analysis was correct, since the shape was correct, but the PAD display showed the bias and was confusing.
The update to version 15.60incorporates the following changes:
1.A new aberration is available.CSLOPE will return the slope of the requested surface at the current CAO rather than along a given ray.This is useful for zoom lenses, where the CAO is taken at the largest aperture required for all zooms.
2.Some new monitors are now available. ACS will monitor the steepness of all surfaces whose curvature is varying, at the current CAO of that surface. This is similar to ASC, which only checks along the current upper and lower rim rays.This is intended for zoom lenses, where the CAO is set to the maximum aperture needed for all zooms.
3.Another new monitor is ATC, which checks the incidence angle of all rays in all colors at all zooms. This is to prevent critical-angle ray failures in zoom lenses.It is similar to ACA, which only checks a few rays at the current zoom.
4.The Automatic Asphere Assignment feature (AAA) now varies only aspheric term G 3 on a target surface.Before, it varied the conic constant -- but that did not work very well if the surface was nearly flat.This version should work with those surfaces too.
5.The program no longer scissors plots before they are displayed.This was a leftover from the batch-mode days, when the Calcomp plotter drivers did not deal gracefully with data that extended off the page.Since modern graphics drivers are much better, we now allow the picture to extend beyond the page boundaries, so you can see what is out there.(If you print the plot, you still only get the data that fit on the page.)
6.The GDIS command now lets you specify a size factor that can reduce the plot scale in the event that eliminating the scissoring makes the paraxial grid overfill the page.
Bugs Fixed:
1.The optimization program could go into a loop if rays failed on the initial pass and you did not request the FIX option.
The update to version 15.59 incorporates the following changes:
1. Two new materials are added to the U glass table: KIRO types CG1 and CG2. At the moment, those materials have no transmission data. When the vendor supplies them, we will add them.
2.. ARGLASS has been enhanced. Now it will vary the glass models to duplicate a potential real glass, even if that glass is outside of the current boundaries. Before, it honored those boundaries and sometimes could not match a glass that was outside. When it adjusts the model now, the real glass should work better when reoptimized.
3. If you assign a CORE number, the program now shows the result in the tray. That way you always know how many cores are authorized.
4. The logic of the PAD scan has been changed. For some reason, if a process sleeps for more than an instant, the Windows OS decides not to show the changing display until it is finished. We believe this behavior has been evaded.
5. The PAD drawings will now show the path of vignetted rays up to the point of failure, if you select the custom rayset for that display.
Bugs Fixed:
1. MTF calculations did not always work on a system that contained a real DOE surface. (The USS types of simple DOE were not affected.)
2. The Image Tools MIT did not display the correct image structure in COHERENT mode if the exit pupil was not circular.
3. The abscissa of CAM plots did not show the axis or tic marks.
The update to version 15.58 incorporates the following changes:
1. DSEARCH and ZSEARCH in multicore mode now run faster than before. Some jobs run twice as fast.
Bugs Fixed:
1. If you used the FLAG designation in a lens and then optimized it in multiconfiguration mode, the program only picked up the flagged surface if it was in configuration 1. Now it applies to the current ACON and works for any of them.
The update to version 15.57 incorporates the following changes:
1. The automatic symbols LB0, LB1 ... have been enhanced. Now you can reference a surface that is up to nine surfaces before the last, up to LB9. You can also reference a surface relative to a FLAG surface, up to nine surfaces removed, with FM9,FM8, ... FP8, FP9.
2. AEI can now add elements adjacent to most aspherics. Before, only spherical surfaces were treated and the shell initially got the same radius as that surface. Now shells will be added adjacent to an asphere but will start out flat.
3. The Excellent Editor EE will now display command words with a contrasting font and background. This will help you keep track of what is going on in your MACros. Comments are displayed in green type, as before.
4. The command to make an environment model (EMODEL) has been renamed to ENM, to avoid a collision with the command EM filename. The GRIN calculated to model a thermal nonuniformity has also been renamed to GRIN ENM.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The MTF portion of the GSS plot was not displayed if no MTF analysis had been done previously.
1. The option to load a bitmap picture from the clipboard in the MIT dialog does not work as it should. On Windows 7 it was perfect, but in Windows 10 it usually aborts partway through. Then, if you run the same procedure a second time, it usually works. We attribute this to a bug in Windows, over which we have no control. The same issue affects the MFB dialog.
The update to version 15.56 incorporates the following changes:
1. MIT and MFB have been enhanced. Now they show a progress bar when scanning a picture, so you know you have to wait a minute before clicking the Process button. Also, the MFB display was centered at the axis of the image surface, but if the axis ray did not go to the center (because of a prism, for example) the whole picture would show up decentered. Now it is centered at the axis ray.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The thermal shadowing feature ATS displayed the zoom bar if the temperature change was negative.
2. Input errors in the DSEARCH file could make the program go into a loop.
3. The automatic aspheric assignment (AAA) did not work properly in multicore mode.
The update to version 15.55 incorporates the following changes:
1. Switch 55 is now ON by default. (This samples diffraction patterns at 1/4 of the Airy disk radius instead of 1/2.) PCs are so fast these days that it makes no sense to revert to the less-accurate form.
2. DWG output with OBG systems now default to a single object height.
Bugs Fixed:
1. A SPT command did not work properly on a system with object OBG if you did not enter a scale factor.
2. The coherent analysis option in the Image Tools Menu (MIT) did not work correctly if the lens had the RPUPIL option in effect.
3. A problem was discovered with AFOCAL systems with a non-circular pupil, and with AFOCAL OPD calculations.
4. The value of an OPL aberration in the FINAL listing was incorrect.
5. ELD drawings of elements with rectangular apertures no longer display a "diameter" dimension.
The update to version 15.54 incorporates the following changes:
1. The automatic symbols LB0, LB1, etc. as well as APS, are now honored globally. The only exceptions are in routines where the symbol is a valid mnemonic, such as in an RLE file. Before, they only worked in AANT and PANT files.
2. The PAD display does a better job of remembering the zoom and pan settings of the several views as they are adjusted by clicking and dragging.
3. A new noun, NZOOMS has been added to the AI vocabulary.
4. There are now several new flavors of the PUPIL command. These allow you to view the wavefront at the exit pupil, at the last surface, and to superimpose the wavefront view from several different systems.
Bugs Fixed:
1. If rays failed after a successful quick search, ZSEARCH reported that case when it was finished. It should only have reported cases that optimized successfully.
2. GSEARCH could hang if you clicked the stopsign button to abort the process.
3. The AANT operands STX and STY returned the slope divided by 5, not the raw slope.
4. Object OBD would return erroneous OPD results if the object distance was less than 1.0E9.
5. FAMC could loop if you clicked the stopsign button when it was doing certain operations.
6. The MUT dialog would do an unwanted operation if you clicked the SCALE button.
7. Lens arrays did not display properly with RSOLID.
8. Surface type USS 19 (Y-cylinder) was not properly honored by XBEAM.
The update to version 15.53 incorporates the following changes:
1. MPE now has an option to create RSOLID drawings that can rotate much faster as you drag with the mouse. This is done by a coarser sample of the surfaces. (You can specify the sampling yourself with the SPART option in the RSOLID file.)
2. We have updated most of the lessons in the Online Tutorials, to reflect the current behavior of the program. Users who want to study those examples and run the MACros are advised to download the new versions.
3. The program no longer tests and adjusts the derivative increments if the starting merit function cannot be calculated or if FIXRAY has been requested. In the latter case, it is assumed that rays are going to fail and the problem will be corrected by that feature.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The new object grid option in MFB took the entered side length of a square pattern as the half-size, as with a circular pattern.
2. We found that if you copy a line from a PDF file that contains the apostrophy character "'", and paste it into the EE editor (from an online tutorial file, for example) the program would crash. Now it accepts that character.
The update to version 15.52 incorporates the following changes:
1. AEI now honors the LB0, LB1, etc. and FLAG, FB1, etc shortcuts as they work in an optimization MACro.
2. A surface can now be declared STATIC in the RLE file. This causes all variables related to that surface to be ignored in the PANT file, so you can use the handy VLIST ... ALL format and still keep certain surfaces and elements unchanged when you optimize the lens.
3. The DSEARCH optimization MACro now contains a much shorter PANT file, using the new STATIC feature to keep an entered front end static if it is not declared ALL.
4. The CAM program now has a new ZSPACE variety. The ENDS selection will distribute the zoom positions in a manner that concentrates them near the ends of the zoom range. This often works better than the other options if the zoom range is large.
5. Three plastics have been removed from the Unusual materials catalog. Types SP-1516, SP-1715, and SD-1414 are no longer on the vendors website and are presumed discontinued.
6. The Field Blur Menu (MFB) now has options to create a custom array of circles or squares, with user-entered size and spacings.
7. ZSEARCH now has an option (AGROUP) that causes the AANT file in the optimization MACro to contain a single ZGROUP ALL collection of aberrations that will apply to all zooms. Otherwise, it creates a separate set for each zoom, which can be useful if you want to adjust weights on an individual basis, which was the case before.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The DSEARCH combination USE CURRENT + COVER + BACK SET ... did not work properly.
2. The RPO plot created an incorrect plot if the numbers of fields was greater than the maximum allowed four.
The update to version 15.51 incorporates the following changes:
1. DSEARCH now has a FILTER directive, which lets you specify that certain elements should be either positive or negative, while the others can be either. If you know what a portion of your lens should look like, you can specify it this way -- and shorten the search time by a factor of two for each element so declared.
2. SYNOPSYS now has a STEP file converter. There are limitations, however, which you can read about in the UM.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The sequence IFR ... / IFP ... did not work if COMMON was requested.
2. ARG did not work properly with plastic elements.
3. Index values varied with GLM did not let the value of Nd rise above 1.9, even if you specified a higher limit with the CUL and FUL directives.
The update to version 15.50 incorporates the following changes:
1. SOLID and DSOLID now accept the mnemonic SPART, which sets the partition number for rendering surfaces. The default partition is very fine -- making a beautiful smooth curve -- but the DXF file from DSOLID was huge. Now you can request a coarser partition, and the file will be smaller.
2. We have enhanced the algorithm that finds the real pupil. It can still fail, in cases where the chief ray is close to a caustic, but it is more robust now.
3. The SINGLE input for ZSEARCH now accepts an integer number, as does DSEARCH.
4. We have updated the Ohara glass catalog, adding some new glass types.
5. Also, we have implemented a new feature: sn MOLD rate will alter the index of most of the low Tg glasses according to the rate at which pressed lenses are cooled. The index depends on this rate, and is somewhat lower than the catalog value. The data from Ohara are fully implemented, while Schott provides only a single molded value, from which one cannot extract the effect of the cooling rate. In any case, the change in index is modeled as MELT data, which apply to a specified surface and become part of the RLE file.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The previous version did not provide a way to turn off a selection in the WorkSheet.
The update to version 15.49 incorporates the following changes:
1. It is now possible for your annotated text to be displayed in Courier font in the graphics windows. This is intended for when you want to copy some printed text, such as Zernike terms, to paste on the drawing. The default text does not line up columns the same way, since it is proportional spaced..
2. DSEARCH now accepts an optional DAMP input and will add it to the optimization MACro. Sometimes a high damping makes it work better.
3. A new variable is available. The mnemonic PGM declares a surface PLASTIC and varies the index and Abbe number so that they both move along a curved line that passes through the area where plastics are to be found. If a surface is already declared PLASTIC, the usual GLM variable does the same thing. This should avoid problems with the very small area previously modeled with boundary conditions.
4. If your lens has aspherics defined as spherical or conic with G-term coefficients, a new variable DCA will vary the coefficients, so you don't have to list them individually, as before. You can select to vary only the axially-symmetric or rotationally-symmetric terms if you wish.
5. DSEARCH ... SINGLE now accepts the case you want to process as a decimal number. It still accepts a series of 1's and 0's, or P's and N's, as before.
6. PAD now lets you define a command link string for each of the five views in each of the six configurations. Before, a single string applied to all.
7. The Shape Option dialog for converting to or editing a Zernike surface now has a check box where you can select to make the surface go through the vertex. (Zernikes can have a nonzero sag at the origin, if this is not selected.)
8. We have modified one of the common blocks of the source code, and users who have implemented the USERDLL.sln to customize the program for their needs will need a new fortranstructures.h file. Please contact OSD and request this file before you use this new update.
Bugs Fixed:
1. ELD element drawings did not display mirrors whose thickness was declared CMIRROR correctly.
2. If switch 1 is off, the optimization could fail.
3. The SPS spreadsheet display did not show up properly on small notebook computers. Now it shows the lens data in groups of 25 instead of 50, so it works on small screens too.
4. If you ran AAA (Automatic Aspheric Assignment) and killed the process before it was finished, it loaded the current contents of the requested library location, which would have been overridden had the job finished.
5. The new protocol for selecting text in the Command Window would turn off the selection as soon as you pressed any key. But that disabled the <ctrl>C copy and <shift>extend-selection functions. Now those are allowed.
The update to version 15.48 incorporates the following changes:
1. The Automatic Aspheric Assignment feature (AAA) now supports multicores and will run much faster if that is implemented.
2. The PAD Scan button now shows the current HBAR in the PAD data box. So you can see exactly which field has a problem.
3. The FEATHER calculation now has an optional PLOT argument.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The SEL slider in the WorkSheet added one additional mouse move when you stopped moving your mouse. Now it doesn't.
2. The new Comment button in EE could miss the last line in the selection.
3. The fans plot in PAD would fail if the chief ray at the first HBAR analyzed did not trace.
4. The SEDGE edge declaration did not work properly if the second side of the element was tilted, and it did not display correctly in RSOLID if one side had a hard CAO but the other was soft.
5. The annotation editor deleted current annotation if you clicked the Copy button. It was supposed to add to, not replace it.
6. The DWG option to use BTOL data did not position the letter designation correctly if the element was declared SEDGE.
The update to version 15.47 incorporates the following changes:
1. We have added Lesson 48 to the Online Tutorials. This shows how to design a 22-element microlithography lens, from scratch, in about 45 minutes. Need we say no other code in the world can do this?
2. FFBUILD now honors a CFOV directive, if entered, and corrects only over a circular field. Otherwise it corrects over a rectangular field.
3. The EE editor toolbar has two new buttons. These will comment out or uncomment any block of text that is selected when the buttons are clicked. Now it is much easier to skip sections of the MACro, without making a SKIP block or editing each line in the selection separately.
4. The new commands SPL and RPL will save the definitions of the current PAD layout for all ACONS, and recall them later -- but will not save or restore the lenses therein. This is different from SSU and RSU, which save and recall both the layout and the lenses.
5. The EE editor option to color comments has been improved. Now it does not update the display after every keystroke, which could be slow if the file was large. Now it only updates after selected changes, and runs faster.
Bugs Fixed:
1. FFBUILD did not honor the LRAYS directive, if entered.
2. DSEARCH defaulted to a single field of view if the system was declared AFOCAL.
3. Some of the PAD labels could overlap others.
4. The default CAO on the image surface was incorrect if the aperture was not centered at the vertex.
The update to version 15.46 incorporates the following changes:
1. We have been tasked with analyzing a system with an isolated defect, such as a small bump or hollow on a surface. To do so, we implemented a new USS shape, number 28, which can model the bump.
2, A new GRIN form is also available, type GRIN LOCAL, which can model a local departure from a uniform index value. These two features can then be used to analyze the effect of these errors on the wavefront or image quality.
Bugs Fixed:
1. ZSEARCH did not always load the optimization MACro into an editor if the run specified explicit glasses for the elements.
The update to version 15.45 incorporates the following changes:
1. The top menu bar has been extended. For new users, this makes it a little easier to find the dialog you want. For experienced users, of course, it is entirely unnecessary, because the mnemonics are so easy to remember.
2. The DMASK ... ZONE analysis has been improved. Before, it sampled the aperture at 10 000 points and located the nearest zone with that precision. For fine fringes, this was not always accurate enough. Now it interpolates between those locations and is more precise.
3. A new command, CDIST, will analyze the distortion pattern over the field and return a set of interpolation coefficients that model that pattern. This is intended for use with digital displays, where one can compensate for lens distortion with an opposite distortion there. The coefficients tell you how to adjust things. The analysis can be done in each color, for cases where you also want to compensate for lateral color.
4. The Text Select button is gone. Now you can always select text lines from the Command Window. Typing anything in that window will automatically scroll to the bottom, where input has to go.
5. We have added another lesson to the Online Tutorials. Number 47 shows how to design a 30X zoom lens with three moving groups and 15 corrected zooms. We provide this lesson in response to a new user's request to support up to 45 zoom positions, which may indeed be necessary when using a competitor's primitive product. Unaware of the power and sophistication of SYNOPSYS, he assumed the same would be true here. But such a large number of zooms is not required when one has the sophisticated tools for the job provided by SYNOPSYS.
Bugs Fixed:
1. BTOL did not work properly if PFTEST was active and the lenses were extremely small.
The update to version 15.44 incorporates the following changes:
1. If you run ELD with a negative surface number, which disables the drawing but fills in the data boxes, the program will also disable listing aspheric coefficients. The latter are shown by default and make sense if the surface is rotationally symmetric -- but only symmetric terms are then shown. Now you can simply copy the terms from the ASY listing and paste them into the ELD drawing, along with PER drawings, as instructed in Section 7.7. Then all terms will appear on the picture, along with the drawings, which you can further annotate as needed. This is useful with free-form decentered elements, which the default ELD drawing does not render properly.
2. BTOL has been much improved. Now, if you declare a surface or collection of surfaces a GROUP, it will defeat the default tilt and decenter tolerance on those surfaces and instead calculate tolerances of all six degrees of freedom (X, Y, X, and alpha, beta, and gamma). This is intended for off-axis and free-form surfaces and mirrors, where one needs all six tolerances. It will also defeat the TH tolerance before the group, since the ZDC tolerance does much the same thing, but not after, since there are two airspaces involved.
3. The file saved by the BTOL SAVE command has been restructured. It now includes the new group tolerances, and it has also been reduced in size. Before, a .BTO file was over 30 MB in size; now for a typical system it is around 500 KB. This means that all previously saved BTOL files are now obsolete, and if you need them, you should run BTOL again and save a fresh copy. The previous file form will no longer open in BTOL.
4. The MOF command (MTF over field) now accepts the color number "S", which causes the MTF to be calculated in each color separately. This is intended for systems using a digital display of some kind, where one can compensate for substantial lateral color with software, thus eliminating the requirement to correct that error in the lens itself. This can sometimes result in a better image in each color, since one can then use the GPR raygrid request in the merit function (correct relative to the principal ray) instead of GNR, which corrects relative to the major-color chief ray.
5. The Worksheet dialog is now somewhat larger, so you don't have to scroll up and down as often as before.
6. The FPU command (PUPIL plot over field) now has a form FFPU, which covers the full field, from -1 to 1, instead of 0 to 1.
7. MC now treats decenters differently: it only perturbs the lens in Y, according to the budget, unless an explicit XDC range has been declared. This makes more sense, since one often only monitors the image in the Y-Z plane, and a decenter in X would appear less sensitive than it really is. If a system is not rotationally symmetric, the new GROUP tolerances, if applicable, get tolerances in X, Y, and Z, and that option is recommended in that case.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The BTOL summary listed the tolerance on XDC the same as on YDC, even though they were actually different in the budget listing.
2. The TFG plot drew the horizontal scale too wide.
The update to version 15.43 incorporates the following changes:
1. The routine that calculates the intercept of a grazing-incidence ray with an aspheric surface has been improved. Before, it often found the wrong intercept when there was more than one.
2. FIS (fringes at an intermediate surface) has been improved and works better at a decentered surface. It also now lists the Zernike coefficients that model the displayed wavefront.
3. A new surface shape is now available. Surface type USS 27 models a plane grating with a single surface. This is easier to use than the older GRATING specification.
4. The ORDER parameter on a GRATING surface has been reversed, bringing it into agreement with the new USS 27.
Bugs Fixed:
1. If you requested CSTOP and had a decentered CAO on the stop surface, the WAP 2 calculation did not work. Now it deletes any decenter when you use CSTOP.
2. The BTOL entry RANGE XDC range did not work.
3. The default RANGE for PFTEST surfaces in BTOL was sometimes too large, causing ray failures in the tolerance calculation.
4. Some kinds of ray failures during a BTOL run would loop indefinitely. Now it aborts and tells you which parameter was at fault.
The update to version 15.42 incorporates the following changes:
1. MTF over field (MOF) now has two new flavors: FMOF analyzes the full field, from HBAR = -1 to +1. And FZMOF does the same but with a Zernike fit to the wavefront. (MOF goes from 0 to +1.)
2. The ASY command now lists the group size along with the tilts and decenters on each surface.
3. The GOUT option has been improved. Now it sets the index at all wavelengths equal, so when the value reaches 1.0 you can just remove the element. Before, it only changed the index at the major color, and the others were sometimes not reasonable.
4. The FNUM entry in DSEARCH is now optional with AFOCAL lenses. You can also control the magnification with targets on selected rays.
5. The RZS command, which recasts a surface to a Zernike, has been improved. Now it has two new flavors: RZP tries to duplicate the slope of the result to match the target, while RZB targets both the sag and the slope. It also now runs more passes and then anneals, which usually gets a better fit.
Bugs Fixed:
1. MAP TRANS did not work properly in multicolor mode.
2. The shape options dialog would crash with USS 16 if you clicked the USS 15 selection.
3. OPD calculation was incorrect if the system had a DOE element that was also the UNDO surface for a previous tilt or decenter.
4. The glassmap disply MGT option to show the data at the current wavelengths in the lens did not show the VNUM correctly.
5. The SLOPE aberration came back with the wrong sign.
6. Surfaces designated SEDGE (simple edge) did not draw correctly if the CAO was decentered.
The update to version 15.41 incorporates the following changes:
1. A new shape is available: type USS 26 models a 3-layer DOE. This is similar to the 2-layer version USS 20, but has a layer of plastic between the two kinoforms and yields higher diffraction efficiency.
2. A new RLE entry LOG log will set the log number assigned to the lens to the entered value. Similarly, the command LOG LENS log will assign the number, as will the AI sentence LENS LOG = log.
Bugs Fixed:
1. Object type OBD did not support LRAYS.
2. ZDWG did not always position the lens drawings correctly.
3. The PAD SCAN button did not work properly with ZFILE zoom lenses assigned object type OBD.
4. Diffraction analysis did not work properly for DOEs in polarization mode.
The update to version 15.40 incorporates the following changes:
1. The spreadsheet SYS has been enhanced. Now you can change wavelengths directly in the edit boxes; before, they did not take effect until you pressed a second button.
2. DSEARCH now lets you specify selected surfaces as Zernikes. You can choose the coefficient set: all, bilateral symmetric, or radially symmetric.
Bugs Fixed:
1. The USE CURRENT option in DSEARCH did not clean up aspheric coefficients that were present on surfaces past the target point.
2. FINAL listed FLUX aberrations with a current value of zero.
The update to version 15.39 incorporates the following changes:
1. The flood-fill option in PAD has been enhanced, and it is now possible to declare a surface NOFFILL, for rare cases where the fill color leaks out and that feature got turned off.
2. DSEARCH now lets you USE CURRENT and vary the tilt and decenter on new elements.
3. A new operand, RCLEAR, can be used to keep adjacent surfaces from intersecting along a given ray. (The AEC monitor only works on default rays.)
4. The footprint dialog MFP now has an option to create rays over a grid of object points.
5. A new surface shape, USS 25 is now available. This models an extended DOE, with 32 terms in both X and Y, for systems where an axially-symmetric kinoform will not do.
6. The FINAL command has been enhanced. Now you can request FINAL NUMBER number, to show only the numbered aberration, or FINAL NAME "name", to show only the aberration with that assigned name.
7. Some new entries are available for the AANT file: The operand NURBS works for shape USS 15 and will target each of the Z-coordinates of the control points to the entered target. This is intended for cases where the point locations oscillate wildly -- still producing a smooth surface -- but are hard to use as variables. Just assign a small target and low weight, and the surface should be better behaved. The form XNURBS works on USS 24, the extended NURBS shape.
8. A similar operand, ASPHERIC, works on power-series aspherics and Zernike surfaces. If you want to see if you can remove aspheric terms, but rays fail if you just delete them, this lets you move them gracefully to zero.
9. The ACA monitor has been enhanced. Now, if you enter a negative weight, it monitors only the rays at the field point HBAR = -1. (A positive weight monitors the rays at a value equal to the diagonal distance to the corner of the field, which is appropriate for centered systems.)
10. You can now declare a surface SEDGES, which results in a very simple edge for most of the drawing programs. This is for cases that are too complicated for the usual edge-drawing routines.
11. A new online tutorial, Lesson 46, is now up. This shows how to design a converter for a laser diode whose divergence is different in X and Y and you want to make the beam circular.
Bugs Fixed:
1. If you entered a zero value for the Zernike unit radius, it could crash. Now it won't let you.
2. The Worksheet edit pane did not process the bottommost line unless you pressed the Enter key. Now it works either way.
3. Assigning aspherics to a DSEARCH run only worked for the first 21 surfaces.
4. Varying the RAD on a toric surface did not work.
5. If you ran RSOLID and then tried to print a window, the program would crash.
The update to version 15.38 incorporates the following changes:
1. AED now has a new option that will do an additional optimization run, after you agree to delete the selected element, where the targets on that element are controlled via "C" aberrations rather than by "M". This should reduce the thickness and power to very close to zero, so when that element is removed the ray paths are unchanged. Also, the former PIA parameter has been renamed PEL. The power is now controlled by taking the difference between the curvatures on both sides. Before, it used the first-order power, which was not appropriate if the element was cemented.
2. The number of allowed variables is increased from 200 to 400.
3. A new surface shape, USS 24, models a NURBS surface, as does type USS 15 -- but in this case the data area can contain up to 400 points instead of the 81 of the other shape. This form has a new restriction: only five slots are available, and you must select one of them when you assign this shape.
4. If switch 95 is turned on, KICK and ANNEAL will not alter GLM variables. (It still does not change the conic constant or general aspheric terms.) This should avoid ray failures that might occur in some systems.
5. PAD now shows an element with an aspheric on side 1 with a green surface number circle, and with blue if the aspheric is on side 2. If both sides are aspheric, the color is black or white.
6. A Zernike surface can now be assigned a new ZVZ setting. This will make term G 37 (a constant term) automatically adjust itself so the vertex of the surface actually goes through the axis point given by the preceding thickness. Since some Zernike terms are nonzero even at the axis, it is possible for the surface to wind up a distance from this vertex point otherwise -- which is an unwelcome surprise.
Bugs Fixed:
1. A DO MACRO loop that ended up in one of the image analysis features did not loop.
2. DWG did not correctly render a flat surface assigned a decentered aperture.
3. DSEARCH did not utilize an existing system (with USE CURRENT) if that system had aspheric surfaces.
4. SOUT operating on a surface within a tilt or decenter group did not work correctly.
5. The polarization phase difference was not properly calculated by IFP
6. ADEF ... FRINGES produced a blank picture.
7. The WorkSheet SEL slider sometimes produced a corrupted edit pane.


text:
Get involved!
The Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce depends on a team of dedicated volunteers to run the fast-paced and popular Gravenhurst Car Show. Volunteers assist with everything from registration, 50-50 ticket sales, car parking, gate welcomes, security and many other duties.
It's a fun and busy day. Don't forget, each volunteer receives a lime green Gravenhurst Rocks! shirt as thanks!
If you'd like to donate 2-3 hours of your time, please contact Sandy Lockhart firstname.lastname@example.com to learn more.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Dept.of Veterans
VA Medical Center
10000 Bay Pines BLVD
Bay Pines FL 33744
Phone: (727) 398-6661
Outpatient Clinics
Ft Myers Outpatient Clinic
Dunedin Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Ellenton Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Naples Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Port Charlotte Community Based Outpatient Clinic
St. Petersburg Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Sarasota Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Sebring Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Ex-POW List of
Stalag XVII-B
List of Officers
A New Ex-POW WebSite
Mukden POW Museum
Some old Photos of
POWS smuggled out of Stalag XVII-b
Ex-POW Family Memorial
Inside XVII-B
Stalag 17b in
Stalag XVII-B
Original Roster
By Barracks
Mystery Man
of Stalag XVII-B
Vet Bio's/
Links to Other
Web Sites
Purple Heart
Department of Veterans Affairs
- Year
2008 -
Ex-Prisoners of War Foundation
Awards Fourteen College Scholarships to Deserving
of American Ex-POWS
Flame Keepers for Future Generations of Americans
Scholarship Awards – June 6,
It was an honor and a privilege to serve as a member of the Military
Ex- Prisoner of War Foundation scholarship committee. We received
sixty three(63) applications for the 2008-2009 awards. Previously
the Board of Directors had approved six(6) award recipients. What a
difficult task which each of our members took very seriously!
We were each instructed to select twenty(20) and then
proceed to the goal of six(6). When the three(3) sets of twenty(20)
were compared we were pleased that there were fourteen(14) out of
sixty three(63) which we all agreed were most deserving of the
awards. Armed with this information our committee chairman, Bill
Richardson, presented our findings to the Foundation Board of
Directors at our meeting June 6, 2008 in Fayetteville, NC. Without
hesitation the board voted unanimously to award a $2000 scholarship
to each of the fourteen(14).
We were pleased to be able to award these fourteen(14),
but without exception we felt disappointed not to have been able to
grant all sixty(63) applicants. They were excellent. Their essays
were outstanding. Their love and admiration for their grandfathers
was heart warming. If there was a surprise result it was the
excitement of the grandfathers when told of the awards. I wish it
had been possible to publish the complete grandparent stories,
however, time and space prohibited. I sincerely hope the excerpts
of these essays did not distort in any way the meaning of their
In addition to the scholarships awarded this year, we
granted a second $2000 award to four students who were recipients
last year. They are Joseph Coleman - grandson of Arnold A.
Koehler, Jared Haymie – grandson of Marvin Miller, Benjamin
Newport - grandson of Coy Newport and Randall Simon – grandson of
Arthur Bloomberg.
The only thing controlling the number of scholarships we
grant is the amount of money we receive in donations. I can think
of no better way to perpetuate the legacy of our former prisoners of
war than through our grandchildren. They will one day be the leaders
of the world.
If you would
like to have a part in this worthwhile endeavor, please consider
sending a contribution to our Treasurer, Doris Dallas, whose address
is listed on page 2.
Also, we invite
those who were not selected this
year to take the time and make the effort to reapply for an award in
the 2009-2010 school year. Information concerning applications for
all can be obtained by contacting any member of the board of
directors. If you have a question, please contact me at the address
listed on page 2.
Dorris Livingstone
Recording Secretary
Flame Keepers
Morgan Sherman - Granddaughter of Tony Sherman
University of Arkansas I
have always known that my grandfather was in the Army in World War
II and was a prisoner of war, captured
by the Germans. Five years ago my family was at our house for
Easter and granddad was asked if
we would make a video of him relating his WWII an POW experience.
He reluctantly agreed. I watched and was
amazed at the stories he related. Granddad was in the 36th
Infantry Division. His unit traveled by ship from New York to
North Africa. The trip lasted13 days. His unit went by
ship from North Africa to Salerno, Italy. In January 1944 he
was a platoon sergeant in charge of 42 men. His platoon was
involved in an operation crossing the Rapido River in Italy.
The river was near a town called Saint Angelo which granddad
said was ironic since he lived in San Angelo, Texas when he joined
the Army. While crossing this river the platoon was ambushed.
It was a bloody battle with many casualties resulting in his
capture. Granddad said he would never forget that day.
He actually felt fortunate to be captured since many of his buddies
were killed making that river crossing. According to Granddad the
worst part o being a POW was never getting enough food to eat. They
usually got one bowl of soup a day with a piece of bread and
sometimes a small potato in it.
Brittany Jordan - Granddaughter of Donald J. King
Butler University
was decades before my grandpa would discuss what he went through
while a prisoner of war. After he began attending local
meetings of prisoners of war he started to share. The United
States Army drafted my grandpa in February 1943. After
training he traveled to Great Britain and from there to France in
early December 1944. Two weeks after he arrived on the front
lines he ate a breakfast of C rations, then later that day, he was
captured during the Battle of the Bulge. On Christmas day he
arrived at Stalag IX-B Bad-Orb, Germany along with about 2,500
other captured soldiers. I know he suffered under
circumstances no one could imagine. I appreciate and
understand the sacrifices he made were for the freedom of our
country. I believe that he has taken his experience and made
it into something better by being more loving and caring and living
life to the fullest. He is a true hero to me.
Daniel Kazanjian - Grandson of Kenneth Kazanjian
Boston University
My grandfather never talked about the war. He had a few stories
that he told us, but never got into great detail about his time as a
prisoner of war. He seemed to avoid the topic as if he was
trying to forget what happened during that time in his life.
He kept all his secrets about the war to himself except for a diary
which was published in his book The Armenian American in World
War II, When I read this book I learned a great deal about
the experiences of prisoners of war. Grandfather was captured
in November 1944 in the woods of Alsace-Lorraine. He and 12
others in his platoon were escorted to a German town where they
were stripped of their personal belongings with the exception of a
few items. The next day the 13 prisoners were taken to a larger city
where they were grouped with more American prisoner, about 240
total. They were taken by train, 66 to each small boxcar, to
their stalag in Limberg, Germany. The long weary trip involved
few stops, very limited food, and very cramped areas. Upon arriving
in Limberg the American prisoners found the stalag contained
British, Russian and American soldiers. The prisoners were fed
only two rations of food a day. A dry one and a wet one.
The dry one consisted of 200 grams of bread, a small piece of
margarine, and a spoonful of molasses. The wet ration was a
very thin soup with diced vegetables here and there. After
reading the hardships he faced I can understand why my grandfather
does not like to speak about his time as a prisoner of war.
Matthew Bright - Grandson of Dennis K. Evans
Northeast State Technical
My Papaw has been deceased since I was two years old. Stories about
him serving in World War II, being captured by the Germans, have
been told to me by my Mamaw and other family members.
He was captured in July
1944 along with 25-30 others. As they were riding in a truck
after capture, it overturned, breaking his right shoulder.
Only 15 survived the accident. These were transported in a
railroad car for 21 days to their POW camp destination.
Grandpa was isolated
during this trip. Periods of fear, anxiety, depression,
helplessness, nightmares and confusion from being separated from the
other POWs resulted. His release came in May 1945 when Russian
troops overran the POW camp, I am so proud of my Papaw for
what he stood for and went through for the freedom he helped give me
and this great country. America is truly blessed.
(Matt has a larger picture because he asked to show
his Papaw's medals)
Chelsea Schneider - Granddaughter of Armondo
Carboni (deceased)
Belmont Abbey College
grandfather fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was captured by
the Germans while hiding in the cellar of a house along with other
US soldiers. They were cold and hungry but had to keep quiet.
The German soldiers
checking all the houses and then yelling into the cellars ordering
the occupants to come out. If the Germans did not get a response,
they would throw down a grenade. Fearing they had no way out,
my grandfather and the other soldiers decided it was time to
surrender. Now in German hands, they were ordered to march for three
grueling days and nights. When they finally reached their
destination, they boarded boxcars. It was a horrible, hellish
ride, difficult to breathe, with little or no food or drink, no
place to sit and no toilet facilities. My grandfather arrived
cold and hungry at the German POW camp, 9B Bad-Orb, Germany.
He and the other soldiers were ordered to enter a room and strip off
their clothing. My grandfather thought they were all going to be
killed. He was relieved when the Germans proceeded to wipe
them down with kerosene in order to keep away the bugs. Since it was
getting toward the end of the war, the Germans were short of food,
so very little was available for the prisoners. The soldiers
were given one piece of black bread and watery potato soup. In
April 1945 his camp was liberated and he returned to the United
States. I was only a baby in 1992 when my grandfather passed
away. Other members of my family told me these stories about
him. My mom told me that Pop didn't like to talk about his war
experiences, but every once in awhile he would share and she felt he
was a real survivor.
Alex Corre - Grandson of Harry Corre
University of California-Berkeley
My grandpa witnessed a brutality beyond anything most can
imagine. After his capture along with myriads
of other soldiers and civilians, he was forced to march on what is
infamously known as the "Bataan Death March." They marched for days
without food or water, in severe heat and humidity, while witnessing
the murders of fellow soldiers around him who were shot, bayoneted,
or beheaded for being unable to keep up. One night during a
rainstorm, he risked his life during a rainstorm when a guard turned
around to something. He jumped into a ditch at the side of the road
laden with dead bodies. There he stayed until it was safe to move.
Alone, without food or water, he moved through the jungle eating
whatever he could find. In order to avoid Japanese encampments, he
could only move at night. Once he reached the coast, my grandfather
built a small floatation device out of wood and swam four miles
across the shark infested bay to the American held island of
Corregidor. After being reunited with fellow Americans, he began to
tell them about the atrocities he witnessed at the hands of the
Japanese soldiers. At the same time, Japanese had taken Bataan and
were launching heavy artillery on Corregidor and he was again forced
to surrender to the Japanese as a POW.
Editor's Note: The full Harry Corre story is
told on the official Stalag 17 web site
A fascinating story well worth the read.
Ross Lehmann - Grandson of Clarence Lehmann
University of Texas at Austin
My grandfather "Papa" was shot down and captured in November 1943.
When he told me about his experiences
in Stalag XVII-B, he would often get quiet and seem like he was
traveling to a far-away place in his mind. For this reason I did not
ask very many questions. I knew some of these memories were
very painful for him. My grandfather was a very unpretentious
gentleman. H was constantly looking out for others before
himself and never complained about anything. I remember one time,
when I was five years old, he shared an experience with me. I was
complaining that I had to share a queen size bed with my sister on a
vacation and she was hogging all the covers. He quietly told
me that when he was a prisoner of war he slept on a cot. He
barely had room to turn over without bumping his head and was lucky
if he had anything to "snuggle" under, unless he was sharing it with
two other prisoners so they could all stay warm in the winter. I
remember he did not like cold weather and often had cold hands and
feet. When his plane was shot down, he had to jump out in a
hurry and left his gloves next to the gun he was firing. He
also liked his coffee hot in the morning. I believe this was one of
the few pleasures they had in camp. My Papa died when I was
eight years old, but I will always remember how proud I was of him
and the fact that he served our country. I hope one day
he can look down from heaven and be half as proud of me as I am of
Kevin O'Mara - Grandson of John L. Fenton
College of the Holy Cross
My grandfather will stutter every now and then when trying to make
an important point in a conversation. There is one subject,
however, in which he will not fumble over a single word. That
topic is war time and his experience as a prisoner of war in
Germany. Showing up on Omaha Beach a month after D-Day the front
lines were five miles inward. Shortly after the fight at St. Lo, a
night attack was planned in their third attempt to get across the
St. Lo causeway. The troops were able to get across, however,
the next day a counter attack started. After losing a good portion
of the troops in the battle my grandfather was captured when the
Nazis made a successful counterattack against his unit. For
six weeks they were forced to ride in a train with 40 men and 8
horses in each boxcar. Food was scarce. They were
transferred from camp to camp. He was assigned to a workforce on the
railroads in Czechoslovakia rather than working in the barracks.
While on this workforce my grandfather befriended a doctor that
worked in the aid station in the top of one of the barn. One
night the doctor asked my grandfather if he would like to try to
escape as some of the French laborers were leaving. That night,
dressed as a French doctor, he walked out. After a 10 mile
walk through woods, he came to a village with white flags. He
was taken to an outpost and eventually got to Paris. My grandfather
was not back under American control until he got to the airport.
After weeks of rest to recuperate he was back in Indiana. The
newspapers described Grampie's escape as a "self accomplished
liberation" He survived! Grampie loves to share his past.
I am fortunate he is here to share. I am fortunate he is here.
Abby Daniel - Granddaughter of Charles Murray,
Clemson University
During World War II my grandfather was held captive as a transient
prisoner of the German forces. His unit traveled through the Voges
Mountains, crossed the Meurthe River and captured St. Die. After
one of his shifts at Battalion Headquarters, he returned to his
platoon in Shillerdorf, France. Pending an oncoming
advance the platoon Lieutenant and the officers at Headquarters
retreated to safer ground. My grandfather took up a defensive
position at the kitchen window of their building. Soon after, a
German soldier appeared. My grandfather fired on him but the German
had already thrown in a concussion grenade. My grandfather fell to
the floor to avoid its impact and was struck by metal in one arm and
hand. Thinking that the American troops had pulled back, and
because the building was surrounded with ammunition trucks, U.S.
forces began shelling the building to destroy the trucks before the
Germans reached them. There were eight American soldiers left in
the building who were taken prisoner. They were held the first
night in a coal bin and then made their way to German Division
Headquarters to be interrogated. Since my grandfather was from
Headquarters Co., the Germans suspected that he might know more so
his interrogation was more intense than others. He was hung upside
down until his nose bled. The German guards often tried to find
ways to lower the prisoners' morale, and took great joy in informing
the prisoners when President Roosevelt died. My grandfather says it
was then his endurance was at its lowest point and he prayed the end
was in sight. They traveled to a small town of Ettregen, near
Munich, and during the night the guards were taken away with
retreating troops. Before daylight the next morning an American
tank stopped on the road and one of the men walked over to their
barn, opened the door and asked "Are there any GIs in here?" It was
an American Lieutenant and he was immediately welcomed with open
arms. After the battle was over, a jeep came to check on the
prisoners and my grandfather noticed on the front bumper, "409th
Battalion, 103rd Infantry Division". He had been liberated by his own
division. For the amazing courage he showed overseas, and his
tireless dedication to his family and friends throughout his life,
my grandfather will forever by my hero.
Matthew Borgmann – Grandson of William B.
North Carolina State University
My grandfather enlisted in the Army Reserves shortly after
graduating from high school and was sent overseas to active duty
soon after his nineteenth birthday. After landing on Omaha Beach,
he proceeded
with his unit before being captured near the border of France and
Germany. On the day that he was captured, my grandfather, along
with five or six men, was surprised by a German company and a tank
hidden behind a stone wall. After deciding that he would be
jeopardizing all of their lives if he took action, my grandfather
was captured by the Germans along with the others. Even with all the
hardships that he experienced at the hands of the Germans, my
grandfather tells of a few instances when the German people, and
even some of the German guards, showed some degree of kindness
toward the prisoners. First, while moving from camp to camp, my
grandfather and those being transported with him, often had no
shelter. On one occasion, a German farm family allowed them to
sleep in a barn and provided them with hay to attempt to keep warm.
Only the next day did my grandfather feel the depth of this
gesture. After sleeping the night in the barn, the prisoners
observed the lady of the farm going about her early morning chores
crying. One of the prisoners who could speak a little German asked
her what the matter was and she told him that they had just received
word the day before that their own son had been killed in the war.
My grandfather said that he found it very touching that even after
receiving this news that the family provided Allied prisoners with
small comforts that they could not have expected. My grandfather
also tells of a German guard who took a group of five prisoners,
including my grandfather, out to gather sticks to burn for heat. On
the occasion, the guard followed the prisoners and was looking
around nervously as he went. When he was sure that they were well
out of sight of any other Germans, he shared an apple with the
prisoners. Amazingly, despite the destruction of the war and the
conflict, there were instances of human kindness that form some of
the most vivid memories of my grandfather's time as a prisoner of
war. While this was a horrible experience for my grandfather, it
played a role in shaping his character, integrity and love for his
family that would define the rest of his life.
Michael O'Shea – Grandson of
Michael F. O'Shea
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
My grandfather's home base during the war was Polebrook, an American air
force base outside of London. From here, the Eighth Air Force B-17
bombers took off on their raids on occupied Europe. In July 1944 he
navigated these planes on bombing missions into the heart of the
Third Reich, facing Messerschmitt fighters and 88-millimeter flak
guns. On August 9, during his fourteenth bombing mission over
Germany, my grandfather's plane received a deadly amount of
anti-aircraft fire and lost its mechanical ability to return to
England. The crew decided to bail out over the North Sea, and a
British Air-Sea rescue boat picked them up after three hours in 56
degree water.
Just ten days after
this frightening experience, my grandfather flew on his next combat
mission. On October 7, 1944, during his twenty-fourth bombing run,
enemy fire once again badly crippled his plane. His crew was
bombing a target deep within Prussia at Politz, and an escape to the
sea or a neutral country was impossible. He bailed out knowing that
he would be captured. German police quickly arrested him.
In Stalag Luft III
my grandfather faced numerous guard towers, the presence of both
German military and Waffen SS troops and very high barbed wire
fences. The chances of escape were not promising. Conditions in
the camp were very undesirable and they continued to worsen
throughout the latter days of the war. Prisoners had to sleep
virtually on top of one another – little medicine or medical
treatment was available.
Although my grandfather
knew he was in poor health he did not know that his illness would
plague him long after the war ended.
Early in 1945, as the Soviets
approached Germany from the East, Stalag Luft III's SS leadership
decided to send the camp's prisoners on a forced march deeper into
the heart of Germany. Cold weather and shortages of food and
clothing plagued the men on this seven-day march. Soon after,
German guards loaded the prisoners into cramped boxcars for a
journey to the destination city of Nuremberg. After two months my
grandfather and his fellow prisoners had to move once again, this
time to a camp called Moosburg – Stalag VII-A. As General Patton's
American forces approached the area, the fanatical SS guards fought
to their deaths, allowing for a long-awaited liberation of the
Allied prisoners. In less than a month my grandfather began the long
journey home.
Upon his return to the United States he entered a military
hospital where doctors diagnosed him with tuberculosis. He spent
five years in various hospitals. He is a genuine American hero.
Adam Bross – Grandson of
William H. Kline
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
My grandfather was a
gunner on a B-24 bomber in World War II. He was part of the 376th
BG in the 515th bomb squadron. He flew 21 missions. On
May 30, 1944, his crew flew to Hardendorf, Austria to
a factory. The mission was successful, but on their way back the
plane was hit where the wing meets the fuselage. One man was
injured severely, but they all got out of the plane. Immediately
after landing my grandfather was captured and turned over to German
officers. After interrogation and two days of solitary confinement
he was sent to Stalag Luft III. This was an officers' camp and he
served as an orderly and cook.
In January 1945 the POWs were sent on a forced march.
It was bitterly cold and many men suffered from frozen feet and
hands. Men would fall over in the blink of an eye, and no one was
allowed to help them. Approximately 10,000 POWs marched for six days
about 62 miles from Sagan to Spremberg. From Spremberg they traveled
by train , in boxcars – to Nuremberg. Conditions there were very poor.
After two months at Nuremberg they were ordered to go on another
forced march, this time 91 miles to Merseburg. On Sunday, April 29,
1945, General George Patton took over the camp. Days later my
grandfather was flown to France and from there, on a ship, home to
America. My grandfather said he was never as happy and relieved as
when he saw the Statue of Liberty from the ship.
Donovan Reed – Grandson of Jack
Fred Springham (deceased)
East Tennessee State University
I missed the
opportunity to know my grandfather. An all too early heart attack
stole him away from his family
a month before I was born. Though absent, he has been a major part
of my life. I know through those whom his life touched that my
grandfather was a great man and true hero.
as an engineer in the Big Red One – First Infantry, First Division,
my grandfather survived four years during WWII, ten months as a
prisoner of war in Germany. After two years of service, including
landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day, on a routine bridge investigation,
my grandfather's platoon was overcome by Nazi soldiers. Most
of the platoon was killed during the firefight. The rest,
including Pop, were wounded and captured. My grandfather lost
his thumb to a rifle shot and received shrapnel wounds from an
exploding tank. Following the capture, Pop and his men were
loaded into extremely overcrowded boxcars. Packed like sardines, the men were huddled so close that
those who died in transit stayed standing. Food was scarce. Often
each prisoner received only a slice of bread and a small glass of
water in a day. He stated that nothing was spared. Every surface
was scraped for crumbs.
Ten months
after being captured, with the help of a Nazi guard, my grandfather
escaped with two other men. The guard was the father of a German
soldier who had been captured by American forces. He was receiving
Red Cross care-packages from his son who described his good
treatment by the American soldiers. The guard told Pop and a few
others to "watch the dogs". Upon studying the dogs my grandfather
and the men realized the dogs would walk next to the electric fence
if it was turned off, and walk on the other side of the Nazi guard
if the fence was hot. When the dogs were walking next to the fence,
Pop and the others made their break.
Instead of traveling west into Germany in an attempt to
regroup with Allied forces like the other escapees, Pop decided to
travel east towards Russia. This decision saved his life. He met
up with the Polish Underground Resistance and eventually ran into
Russian forces. After weeks of intense fighting along side the
Russians, my grandfather was liberated by American forces.
by Donovan: "His story still continues to impact my life. He
lived to help those who could not help themselves. His life
inspired me to strive to be a person of strong will and good
character. Because of him I remember to be thankful for everything
I have been blessed to receive and take nothing for granted. The
amazing stories of the determination and heroism of my grandfather
will continue to be told as long as I am around to tell the them."


text:
DEATH ANGEL have announced that they have begun writing new material for their follow-up to 2010's "Relentless Retribution".
They issued the following statement, saying:
This has been the longest time off the road we've had in over two years! Been writing new songs during the break and we got a thick batch of new tunes out of it. Still work in progress, of course, but the new material is sounding tight, heavy and hella SICK! Now to turn our focus back to touring mode — rehearsing our set for the upcoming tour with Sepultura! Nonstop jamming is our life.
DEATH ANGEL live:


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Kilmeena GAA Club: Launch of 125 years Celebrations.
On Last Saturday night, Kilmeena GAA Club launched the celebration of its 125 years in existence. In a packed Clew Bay Hotel supporters, young and old, were treated to a memorable night and the sense of pride in the Club was palpable, as they rejoiced in this proud achievement. There was much anticipation as Club Chairman Willie Keaveney welcomed those in attendance and thanked them for attending.
Running in the background was a slideshow of photographs which held rapt attention well into the night. Players and spectators, loved ones some of which are no longer with us, presented an image of the past and present. Perhaps the older photos were of special interest. Hair was definitely long then, and gear did not always match. Crossbars were not always straight, and goalposts struggled to maintain a relationship with the perpendicular!
The first item was the presentation of a cheque, the proceeds of the Annual Challenge Game run over the Christmas period, by John O'Grady to Michael Browne, recovering from injuries received in a construction accident in England. John along with Ciaran Hastings who organised the event thanked all players and those who supported this worthy cause.
Next the Chairman unveiled the 125 Celebrations Logo, and the consensus was that it complimented brilliantly the theme of the 125 Commemoration. A framed copy was on display and also a specially commissioned Banner as ghaeilge incorporating the Logo. The winner of a competition between the three National Schools was Jaimee Geraghty from St. Brendans N.S. Well done Jaimee for your magnificent effort! Special thanks to the hundred plus children who took part in the Competition. All entries will be on display later on in the year.
The Organising Committee decided that a brief history of the Club would be given by some older members, and it is true to say that this was the highlight of the night, and the four people chosen were given a rousing, respectful and genuine reception. We were treated to entertaining and enlightening talks as each speaker from the different eras outlined their involvement in the Club. These notes are but a brief sample of what was said.
The Chairman first gave a brief outline of the Club up to 1950. Paddy O'Grady was next up dealing with the period 1951 to 1963. Paddy, in his own inimitable style, described playing his first game for the Club in 1951 when he modestly declared that he "tried to imitate those who could play" but this did not take from his enjoyment of the game. He emigrated to London and on his return in 1956 he became Club Secretary. He related in detail games played, team lists, interspersed with fascinating anecdotes. Fundraising was by way of staging Plays and running dances. He remembered an occasion when an acute shortage of transport was solved when 13 players were bundled into a car to play a match in Islandeady. He paid tribute to colleagues both men and women who served the Club over these years.
Willie Quinn, who was a stalwart worker at every level in the Club, covered the period when the Club was reformed in 1963 up to 1986. He started off by paying a tribute to all those who were called to their eternal reward, some at an early stage in life. He outlined the Club's first major success when they captured the Cusack Cup in 1968 and further success in the 70's. A highlight was the Tour to the U. S. in 1970, a huge undertaking for a small rural Club. He paid warm tribute to the late Mickey Cavanagh who was chief instigator of the trip. His description of the planning, fundraising efforts for inside and outside the Parish, was an insight into the resourcefulness and resolve of all involved. He referred to the foresight of those who acquired the Community Pitch in 1938 and the depth of gratitude that we owe to the landowners who gave land at different stages free of charge. Thanks to their generosity we now have excellent playing facilities. This was a theme referred to by all four speakers. Willie acknowledged the contributions of the Fahy Community to the Club over the years. Emigration, another constant theme down the years, challenged the Club, but he noted that the efforts by "blow-ins" went some way to offset this loss of vital lifeblood of the Club.
Austin Gibbons brought us up to date to the mid 90's. Picking up on the reference of the Community Field he entertained us with a description of wonderful Sports Days held there. Horse riding, tug of war and "catch the greasy pig", were some of the events. Animal welfare was obviously not an issue back then! Austin emigrated to England in 1968 and was introduced to the game there by John Moran, a great Parnells man. Of course, John is an outstanding Club member over six generations. On returning in 1987 he was unexpectedly elected Chairman. He outlined the highlights of that period, which included County Titles at Under- age and Senior level and the launching of the Centenary History was a great boost in 1989. Austin paid a special tribute to all those players and supporters who worked during the lean times so that this success could be achieved later on. He was glad to note the great loyalty that there is to the Club, and made a passionate appeal to the younger generation to become involved as it will give them a sense of place and identity.
Tom Ryan referred to the period up to 2006 when he was Chairman and had those present in stitches was his personal and quirky take on events. During this time, a new Stand and Club House extension was completed. The launch day in 2001 was a proud day for the Club, but not without incident, as he outlined the lengths that were necessary to secure a covering curtain for the plaque at short notice, much to our amusement and maybe some embarrassment to one lady present! Tom too listed the successes, chief among them reaching the All Ireland Junior Final and narrowly losing this game where David Feehan scored 1-9. In his role as Umpire, he had a unique opportunity to observe the vagaries of the Club's goalkeepers, in which they carried out their duties and sought, legally or otherwise, to influence the game. He has great pride in the Club, and with the support of the young generation the Club will continue to prosper.
The affection with which the four speakers were afforded and an appreciation shown that something special was being relived here was experienced by all present. An unforgettable chapter, in a night of celebrations, in the life of the Club!
The Chairperson then paid tribute to two other Chairmen, Kevin Barrett and Mickey Carney, for their major contributions in leading the Club to its present position.
Next followed the presentation of the Annual Awards. Damian Loftus, Junior Team Manager, highly complimented the present panel for their attitude and application and appealed for more support for the team. He then made the following awards:
The Player of the Year went to Alan Ryan for demonstrating a template of what a player should be, showing leadership on and off the field. His brother Neilly accepted the award on his behalf.
The Young Player of the Year went to Darragh Keaveney for his outstanding talents displayed for Club and County.
The Most Improved Player was chosen as Niall Feehan, a young player of great potential.
A Special Award for special sacrifices, involving travelling long distances to make games, went to Sean Duffy.
The Chairman then thanked Damian for his approach to managing the team, he has given them a fresh impetus and the future augers well for this panel of players.
The Club over the last 125 years has prided itself in being rooted in the local community, and it was entirely fitting that the Community Award went to the Kilmeena Folk Choir for their enrichment of church services. Tracy Duffy and Davina Carney received the award on behalf of the group.
One of the most popular and well deserved tributes was the presentation of the Clubman of the Year Award to Martin McIntyre for his generous work with photography and the Club Website. Martin makes himself readily available for every Club function and his expertise in an invaluable asset to the Club. Rory Smyth, on behalf of Mid-West Furniture, presented the award which he proudly announced was made in Cavan.
The Chairman then thanked Mid-West Furniture and all Club sponsors for their financial contributions which greatly helps the Club to balance the books and keeps the Treasurer happy! He also congratulated the Ladies Club, and in particular Trish Hogan, on how quickly they have established themselves and are now catering for the young ladies of the Club. The 125 Committee for their work in organising the night. The present Officers of the Club in their different roles. Willie Quinn for providing priceless memorabilia. Marie, Darren and Staff of the Clew Bay for facilities and refreshments. All who attended and contributed to a memorable night in the Club's Long History. We now look forward to the next event on Sunday 4th May when the older generation will be honoured.
Report by Walter Cox
125 Celebration Logo:
Winning Design by Jaimee Geraghty, St. Brendan's N.S. Myna
Paddy O'Grady outlines his earliest experiences as Club Chairman, as they struggled to survive throughout the 50's and early 60's.
Still in the early stages of development during the 60's, 70's and early 80's, Willie Quinn summarizes the efforts made by so many in capturing the Cusack Cup in 1968 and the subsequent Tour to the USA in 1970 organised by the late Mickey Cavanagh. He also remembered those who have since passed to their eternal rewards.
Austin Gibbons gives a brief résumé of the successes and progress enjoyed by the club during his term of Office as Chairman of the club.
Tom Ryan regales the audience with his tales and observations during his tenure of 12 years standing as Club Chairman.
Neil Ryan accepts the "Player of the Year" Award on behalf of his brother Alan from Damian Loftus Junior Team Manager.
Darragh Keaveney accepting his "Young Player of the Year" Award from his Team manager Damian Loftus.
Damian Loftus presents Niall Feehan with his "Most Improved Player" Award
Sean Duffy receives his "Special Award" from Damian.
Davina Carney and Tracy O'Donnell receiving the "Community Award" on behalf of the Kilmeena Folk Choir, for their enrichment of church services.
Rory Smyth, on behalf of Mid West Furniture, presents the "Clubman of the Year" Award to a stunned and speechless, Martin McIntyre.


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Gary Unmarried?
It got cancelled after the 2nd season, anyone ever watch it? And it sucks that really good shows always shut down
Discuss all things that don't fit into any other Brewology topic or participate in regular squabbles and debates in this section.
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Fairchild AFBCommunity
The 92nd Air Refueling Wing operates KC-135 R/T Stratotanker aircraft to support worldwide military missions. The wing provides aerial refueling, as well as rapid and reliable passenger and cargo airlift and aeromedical evacuations. Fairchild's missions support U.S. and coalition conventional operations and U.S. Strategic Command strategic deterrence missions.
Fairchild directly supports Air Mobility Command's mission, providing global reach airpower and deploying expeditionary combat support forces to meet worldwide contingency requirements. The wing's aerial refueling enhances the Air Force's ability to accomplish its primary missions of global reach and global power.
The 92nd Air Refueling Wing comprises four groups, as well as numerous staff agencies. The 92nd Operations Group is responsible for the wing's three flying squadrons and oversees the following functions: weather, tactics, aircrew training, aircrew flight equipment, airfield management, air traffic control, combat crew communications, current operations and the wing's flight simulator. The 92nd Maintenance Group provides field-level maintenance support for the aircraft and aerospace ground equipment, supporting worldwide aerial refueling and airlift operations. The 92nd Mission Support Group provides professional civil engineers; communications; contracting; logistics; force support; security forces; and combat, community and family support services for Fairchild and expeditionary commanders. The 92nd Medical Group provides health care services for more than 11,000 beneficiaries, including active-duty members, retirees and their families. Wing staff agencies include legal, plans and programs, safety, command and control, the chapel, public affairs, equal opportunity, information protection, community support coordinator, drug demand reduction program, the comptroller squadron, the sexual assault prevention program, protocol, the historian and the inspector general.
The Air National Guard's 41st Air Refueling Wing reports through the Washington state adjutant general to the governor to respond to natural disasters and civil unrest. In addition to its missions to protect life and property and preserve peace, order and public safety for the state, the wing also has a federal mission: to train, equip and deploy forces worldwide in support of specific contingency operations.
When mobilized by Congress or the president, the wing fulfills its constitutional role and supports Air Mobility Command's airlift and aerial refueling requirements under the 18th Air Force. The 141st Air Refueling Wing trains to provide global aerial refueling to U.S. and allied aircraft, counterdrug surveillance and interdiction, and combat support across the spectrum of conflict.
The mobility needs of the modern military have seen 141st Air Refueling Wing tankers in all corners of the world. The wing has supported Air Expeditionary Forces in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Hungary, North and South America, and Australia. Since becoming a refueling wing, the unit has supported American forces and allies in conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, as well as numerous peacetime and humanitarian missions at home and abroad.
The unit, which has approximately 900 authorized personnel, works in conjunction with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, highlighting total force integration between active-duty and Air National Guard wings.


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Confession time. Cate may have had ulterior motives for getting all of her Thanksgiving cooking done a week ahead of time. Yes, part of her motivation for making all of those delicious recipes was so that she could share them on the blog. But for the first time ever, we were not going to be celebrating Thanksgiving in America (traitors, I know). Cate and I spent the week of Thanksgiving and Cate's birthday – aka the two biggest food holidays of the year – in Paris and Brussels. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Vacation
Tuscany – Montalcino and Montepulciano
The next stop on our Italian vacation was Tuscany. Despite what the Maestro told us about there being no vacancies in Tuscany, we were lucky enough to snag a room at the lovely Villa Armena in Buonconvento (more on that later). Buonconvento is located a half hour south of Siena and close to the famous wine regions of Montalcino and Montepulciano. After the jump, some thoughts on our wine tours, along with the misadventures of TheBetterHalf driving a rental car in Tuscany. Continue reading


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Doctor/Patient Relationship
- Lung cancer does not get the same public empathy as other cancers
- Affects the patient experience producing feelings of guilt, fear and blame
In a healthcare setting a stigma leads to:
- An avoidance or delay in seeking treatment or a second opinion
- Increased illness-related distress
- Anxiety, depression, isolationism, hopelessness
- Relationship conflict
- Lack of illness disclosure
- Reduced social support
- Lower quality of care
- Low survival rate
- Late onset of symptoms
- Lack of overall public knowledge
- Strong link to tobacco use
What questions to ask
- What type of lung cancer do I have?
- What type of doctors will I need to take care of me for this problem?
- How much experience do they and the facility have with this problem?
- What test do I need to determine how far the cancer has spread and what treatment I need?
- What is the stage of my lung cancer and what does this mean for my treatment?
- What are my treatment options? Which do you believe are the best ones, and why?
- How may I go about getting a second opinion on my diagnosis and treatment options?
- What is a clinical trial and should I enter one?
- Are you board certified?
- How do you keep up to date on current treatments?
- How many times have you performed this specific surgery [if surgery is being recommended]?
- Can I talk with other patients who have had the same or similar surgery [or treatments]?
- Are you willing to answer my questions during doctor visits? Outside of doctor visits?
- Will you answer my questions directly?
- Will you return my phone calls in a timely manner?
- Are you willing to honor my personal decision-making style?
- Do you accept my insurance?
- Who provides backup care if you are out of town or unavailable? Are they board certified?
- Do you participate in clinical trials?


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Property of Personal MD Family Healthcare, P.A. © 2017
2770 Virginia Parkway, Suite 301 McKinney Texas 75071
Helpful Links | Contact Us
Nelson X. Simmons, MD
Language: English , Spanish (Fluent)
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With over 13 years of providing care to individuals, self-employed, and small companies, Personal MD is well prepared to care for you. Here are a few of the services we provide.
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Become a Patient Today
Becoming a Personal MD patient is easy. Follow this link to join our program today.
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List of Services
We can handle over 80% of the problems that come into our office. See what our program offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Health care can be confusing. Personal MD is dedicated to helping you get the best care at the right price.
Molly Springate, MS, APRN, FNP-C
Language: English
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