REMEMBERING THE GOOSE

Bryan H. Gosling
Lieutenant Colonel, USAR, Ret.

On August 22, 2002, Company A of the 107th Infantry (recreated) lost a friend and part of our unit's soul. Bryan Gosling, known to one and all as "THE GOOSE" was the ultimate reenactor. If you reenacted in the North-East any time in the last 20 years there's a good chance that you knew him or at least knew of him. He was active in Revolutionary War (23rd regiment of Foot), War of 1812 (14th U.S. Infantry), Civil War (125th NY Vols), Spanish-American War (71st NY), World War I (107th Infantry) and World War II (329th RCT) and almost any other period of history you can think of. He was also active in the Capital District Civil War Roundtable and a Fellow of the Company of Military Historians. He was a founding trustee, first vice-president and PR chairman of the New York State Military Heritage Institute. It was Bryan's passion to bring together under one roof New York State's vast military collection. He lived long enough to see that dream completed and when the Institute opens its doors to the public in Saratoga, October 2002, we will have the historical treasure that The Goose envisioned.

Born in NYC 68 years ago, Goose attended the School for Industrial Relations at Cornell University. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army, attended O.C.S., was commissioned and served with the 4th Armored Division in Germany. He left active service in 1959. As a Reservist he served as a detachment commander and operations officer in the 11th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and was an instructor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He retired from the Army Reserve in 1985 as a Lt. Colonel.

His wit, knowledge, practical advice and humor made him a pleasure to be around. We will miss him greatly. He is survived by his wife Kay and sons Bryan and Harold.

Goose's remains are interred at the Saratoga National Cemetery in Schylerville, N.Y.

These photos of "THE GOOSE" were taken at the Spring 2002 event at Newville. This is the way we'll remember him.

from "YMCA VICTORY SONGS" 1917