Kindergarten: Members of Local 339 who learned railroading as teens at the Illinois Central's Carbondale, Ill., training school during World War II still live near each other and meet almost daily at a restaurant in Haleyville, Ala. From left is F.G. Hyde, Max Gilbert, the late M.A. Knight, Travis Early and H.E. Dixon. -- Full story.

"Kindergarteners" still meet after "graduation"
They were considered the "kindergarten kids" on the Illinois Central (IC) when the railroad trained them as 16- and 17-year-olds to fill the labor gap during World War II. Now retired members of Local 339, Jackson, Tenn., the graduates of the real-world school of railroading continue to meet almost daily. -- Full story.

Study sees poorer, sicker, older hit by Medicare
Medicare recipients will pay substantially more for health care in future years if the system isn't changed, and those who are poorer, sicker and older will disproportionately absorb the rising costs, according to a recent study released by the Urban Institute. -- Full story.

Retired former officers, chairperson die
Two retired former officers and a retired former general chairperson recently passed away, according to reports received at the UTU International. Deceased are former Vice President George W. McDevitt, former Alternate Vice President-South Lloyd E. Mills, Jr., and former Union Pacific Western District General Chairperson Harry M. Price. -- Full story.

SP, SF retirees meet monthly
Retirees from all crafts off the old Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railroads are invited to join those who meet on the last Tuesday of each month except December at the Elks Club in Bakersfield, Cal., according to Retiree Program member Raymond P. Robinett of Local 1581, Bakersfield, Cal. The group shares a luncheon around 11 a.m., with speakers often in attendance. For information, call Brother Robinett at (805) 392-0694, or write to him at 5412 Pembroke Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93308.

The Final Call
Listed here are the names of members of the UTU Retiree Program who have died recently, according to reports received at UTU International Headquarters. These brothers and sisters will be sorely missed by their many friends and by fellow UTU Retiree Program members. -- Full listing.