News – Q1, 2026

The Presidents Letter

Announcing New Chapter Directors

We’re very excited to announce that we have three new Chapter Directors who have signed on to be part of our 10th Mountain Division Board of Directors.  Nancy Anselm has stepped up to serve as our Mid-Atlantic Chapter Director, Anna White-Menges has taken over the role of Chapter Director for the Great Lakes Chapter, and Jenna Smith has agreed to assume the role of Chapter Director for the New Southeast Chapter. 

Nancy is the niece of Ruso Perkins (87-I) and lives just outside of Annapolis, Maryland.  She is a retired teacher and a lover of American history.  Her dad was an historian whose special area of interest was American history.  She is a member of the American Battlefield Trust, and is eligible to be a member of the DAR through both sides of her family.  In her own words:

“The story of the 10th Mountain is deeply embedded in our family history.  In fact, we bought Uncle Ruso and Aunt Jean’s house as a second home in New Berlin, NY after they both passed away.  It is a shrine to the 10th Mountain with Italia trip posters going back to the 1980s on the walls in the stairwell and numerous books about skiing….My husband Bill (US Army 1968 – 72) and I finally made it to Italy in 2023 with the 10th Mt Alumni after a three-year delay due to Covid. We also took the pre-trip and post-trip.  We met so many new and wonderful friends.  We also went to Colorado for the reunion in 2024.  I was pleased to see so many of you there and to renew friendships.”

Anna White Menges is a Holistic Health Consultant with more than 25 years of experience helping others navigate life transitions. She also has more than 30 years of communications and marketing experience in the corporate health care field and has Bachelor of Arts degrees from Western Kentucky University in Journalism/Public Relations and Sociology. Anna’s passions today are writing, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends

Anna’s great uncle was First Lieutenant Father Clarence Joseph Hagan, a Catholic Chaplain in the 86th Regiment. He was killed on January 6,1945, in Quercianella when a bivouac-area guard walked off his assigned route along a railroad track and stepped on a mine.  Father Hagan and medics attended to the dying soldier, and while waiting for clearance of the area, other soldiers stepped on two “Bouncing Betty” mines, wounding Father Hagan and ten others. Eight died from their wounds, including Father Hagan. He was awarded a Purple Heart which is on display at the Archdiocesan History Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, and he is recognized on Chaplains Hill in Arlington National Cemetery.

Jenna Patterson Smith is the granddaughter of Lura Alvin Patterson (Company H of the 85th). She is from the tiny city of Tallapoosa, Georgia, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s degree in Teaching. She is a former middle school social studies teacher who recently left the classroom to manage a public library. Jenna is married and has a four year old son, Beau, and a ten year old daughter, Sarah. She and her family are also active in their church.

Jenna tells us that she is a big history buff and loves watching documentaries. World War II is her love and main interest due to her “PawPaw” sharing his experiences with her from a young age. I am excited to take on my new role and looking forward to making new connections.

Obviously, these women bring their strong ties to the 10th Mountain Division Descendants as they assume their new responsibilities.   When you have the opportunity please welcome them on board.  Also, expect that those of you who are in their respective Chapters will be hearing from them about 10th related events.  

Sempre avanti!
Ron Sawdey, President
10th Mountain Division Descendants

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