Memorial Day Remembering...

[connie]

Yesterday, words about "a fitting tribute as Memorial Day approaches" brought me up short.
Caught up in the demands of daily life, it is easy to forget what the three-day weekend ahead of us is all about -- remembering our war dead. Busy with plans for the visit of friends, I had forgotten.

I do remember a few parades on "Decoration Day" when I was growing up and one cemetery visit following a parade. But, for the most, part I remember it as the weekend we put in the dock and cleaned the lakeside summer get-away. After what my parents had experienced, this stuff of normal living and moving into the future was important. It was part of the dream that had helped them them get through the dark times. And, purposeful living does make sense for all. Life will, and should, go on. But, I am glad, too, that I now understand more of what my parents and their generation went through, and what they lost. And today I feel the need to remember.

I know that there were others -- some close to my parents-- who did not make it back from their time in the ETO. I feel a special obligation to live, in some way, for the ones who never got the chance to have children of their own.

Through this site I have also become more aware of those who were so young during the war... who only have vague memories of their fathers... or who never got to meet their dads.

On this Memorial Day I am ready to remember those who gave their lives, and those who never got to live them. I am ready to remember those who had to move on without their fathers or their husbands and their sons. I will look down the memorial list posted by Carl, and I will will take the time to wonder about the individuals behind the names. And, I will wonder about the losses to our combined history caused by lives cut short and lives never begun: the poetry not written, the paintings not done; the cures not found; and the ordinary lives not allowed to run their course and to touch others in simple everyday ways.

I am deeply grateful for the knowledge that our war dead are not forgotten in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. I know that each grave has been adopted by a citizen of these countries, who tends the grave and searches for the history of the person buried there. Today I want to offer those who do this a heartfelt THANK YOU! Anyone who knows of what you do is moved to tears by this service.

This week I will remember the sacrifices. Those who gave their lives deserve to be remembered. And, those who live on without them need to know we recognize their loss.

[connie]

This WWI poem also fits the memory of those members of the 106th who did not come home:

IN FLANDERS FIELDS
In Flanders Fields
John McCrae, 1915.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Click here for a link to the American Battle Monuments Commission Site
www.abmc.gov/home.php

There is a note on the site of commemorative programing:
HALLOWED GROUNDS
Premiering on PBS, May 25th (Memorial Day) at 10 pm (ET) - a rare look at America's overseas commemorative cemeteries and how our country keeps faith with her fallen. To learn more and check local listings for exact broadcast times in your area, go to this site and click on the links there.

[Carl W.]

This Memorial Day I will be thinking of all those young men who went off to fight in distant countries, in towns, fields and forests, on beaches and oceans, for other people's freedom, ours... Many of them died and now lay at rest at one of the countless cemeteries. When I visit them and I see all those perfectly aligned white crosses, I think of all these young lives that were cut short. It's hard to imagine that most of them were as old as I am now, some even younger. Their sacrifice was not in vain and therefor we honor them today.

Personally, a special thought of mine will go out in memory of the soldier who's grave I adopted, Sgt. William D. Morris, III of the 423rd Infantry. He rests at Henri-Chapelle.

www.wwiimemorial.com/registry/search/pframe.asp?HonoreeID=2229890&popcount=12&tcount=236

[bigjohn]

Connie and Carl, you are on the right track. For too many people this is a holiday weekend that will see far too many people looking for that shopping bargain, having a cookout and heading to the beach. Let's not ever forget all of the vets who made those things possible. I hope everybody would just stop, even for a minute, and remember.
For all of veterans out there, I remember and say THANK YOU!

[floydragsdale]

Hello:

The Good Lord Willing, the devil don't care and the Creeks don't rise, I'll be marching, proudly wearing my Ike Jacket, in our local Memorial Day Parade next Monday.

The memories of all the dead will will march with me; the dead and dying Soldiers on the Battle Field; the frozen bodies of those men K.I.A., stacked like cord wood in trucks; waiting to be taken to their final resting place; those men laying on stretchers, in Field Hospitals, mortally wounded; offering God their final prayers.

And yes, the ones who fell, moratlly wounded, when our Company advanced across an open field as artillery shells exploded, overhead and on the ground killing and wounding American Soldiers in every direction.

Those of us who survived the battles, hardships and sorows will not forget the ultimate price you paid.

Memories of you will march with me in the Memorial Day parade next Monday.

Floyd,
2nd Btn. 424th Regiment

[roger]

Floyd

While the rest of us pay respect and remembrance to our fallen fathers and heroes, the ultimate words of respect and tribute can only come from someone who was there....someone who actually saw and felt and smelled and touched the battles, the weariness, the fear, the heroism, the death, the loss of comrades and incredible sacrifice. Those "someones" are you and thousands upon thousands of others like you who survived....and know.

So, thank you Floyd for your sacrifice and service....and for sharing your experiences with us so that we may never ever forget the price that was paid for freedom. And, thank you for your words of tribute.....I will "pass them on" to my father as I speak and think of him on this Memorial Day.

Roger
Proud Son of Sgt. William Myers (deceased)

[gemcmeg]

May 17, 2009 10:57:51 GMT -5 connie said:

This WWI poem also fits the memory of those members of the 106th who did not come home:

........


Connie, thx for the posting. One of the men with dad (Paul Eanes) during the war, on that 12.16.44 ammo run, captured and in two pow camps was Jacob Gerstner. In dad's things that I've gone thru in the last few months since his death, was a card from Gerstner's mother with a comment about "leaving" her son/buried in Europe & hoping that had been the right thing to do. Very touching to read.

Didn't take me long to find Gerstner's info with the info in your posting. (Dad came down with pneumonia in the 2nd pow camp and was then separated from his group. After the war he learned that Gerstner died on a walk out from the camp, dad was moved with other sick pow-s to their last camp via train.)

This being my 1st Memorial Day without dad, reading your remarks about those that never came home to live their "lives of color", thoughts went straight to Gerstner and of course Schuler, who last year we found out - did get to come home and have a wonderful life.
Such extremes - by chance, it sometimes seems (with reflection, having watched most of "Bands of Brothers" today).

We all have so much to be grateful & thankful for this Memorial Day of 2009.

[dianekrollewis]

Spent Saturday, watching BAND OF BROTHERS...spending today keeping in
touch with my children..................I remember, I remember........the parades we used to have
decorating my bicycle to follow them down the road. Some parades still go on.
This used to be a day to visit the gravesite in Long Island -Pinelawn National Military Cemetary.......but on my last trip there.........I could not see the other end of the
cemetary.......it went forever...Gleaming white stones.......hey Dad...........I remember....today and everyday.........I remember..........and I miss you.

[connie]

Time to bring this thread to the top of the pile again...

As Memorial Day 2010 approaches I am thinking a lot of the members of the 106th, those left behind forever and those who returned to forever carry the memory of friends lost...

This morning I went looking for the playing of taps on the web. I have not looked through all available yet. But this one seemed fitting:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=38wx8C7VmB4&feature=related

[floydragsdale]

When I was in the High School band (1940-41) Memorial day was also called "Decoration Day." The band marched down Main Street; leading a parade of WW I Veterans and some Civil War Veterans.

The parade ended at the town cemetery in front of monuments dedicated to Veterans of both wars. Speeches were made honoring men who served in those wars.

It was a time to remember the sacrifices that all veterans made for our country - - - to keep it free for future generations.

A school teacher said to us "You are the future of our country; the baton of responsibility is being passed to you. Your task will be to lead our country through good and bad times", we were told. She also said to us, "Put your shoulders to the wheel, and give it your best effort."

Our generation had a rendezvous with destiny; much would be expected of us. We met the challenge of WWII head on and our nation came out of those years with the torch of victory in her hand and the lights came on, again, all over the world.

Now, legions of service men and women from WWII have left the stage of life, to join their comrades in arms, who gave their life in battle. Some are left behind to reminisce about those war years and tell their story that begins with "I remember when".

When the last surviving veterans answer the trumpet call they can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Veterans who served at Valley forge, the Alamo and Gettysburg.

Floyd
424th Regiment

[roger]

Floyd

You have once again written a beautiful and moving tribute to those who have answered the call....and who better to do it than one who has served and understands.

On behalf of my father, my uncle and my brother-in-law who all served I thank you, Floyd...and I thank you for YOUR service and your invaluable contributions to this message board.

With Great Respect,
Roger

[Carl W.]

Floyd,

A word of thanks for the beautiful words you have written. Although I was born two generations after the conflict in which you and countless other young men and women selflessly made a gallant stand against fascist rule which threatened to grasp our nations in a new dark era, I know I speak for others when I say thank you. No words can depict the feelings that we hav for those who have given us back our freedom. A freedom which was hard-earned. My eternal respect and gratitude for those who gave their lives in the line of duty and those who were fortunate enough to live through it.

Thank you for your service.
From a grateful Belgium,

Carl



PFC Donald Erway, 159th Infantry Regiment of the 106th Division playing taps at the Memorial Day service at Ittenbach Cemetery, Germany. 30 May 1945

[connie]

Thank you Carl and Floyd for words and picture to go with a day that many feel deeply.

Yesterday I spoke with a vet from the 106th who will hit 94 this year. He said that he felt Memorial Day this year with great intensity.

The remembering sometimes is something we do and sometimes is something that comes unbidden in unexpected ways. There was a Memorial Day article in the Seattle times that tells the story of the son of a fallen soldier (from another division) who returned to Belgium this year with his father's "best buddy" and went to Henri Chapelle Cemetery on Memorial Day.

Prior to this Memorial Day cemetery visit, though, there were a number of improbable experiences that brought a son together with people from his father's past. The son sums up his take on this:

"There's something spiritual about this," Lippi said. "It's like my dad wanted me to find these men."

See reply # 1 in this thread: 106thdivision.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=remembering&action=display&thread=165

[connie]

As Memorial Day approaches I find myself thinking of those from the 106th who did not return.

Across the miles others will be joining in this time of remembering.

There will be ceremonies this weekend at American Battle Monuments cemeteries including Belgium's Henri Chapelle, Luxembourg American Cemetery, and the american cemetery in the Netherlands.

www.abmc.gov/events/index.php

Connie

[kaben3]

Memorial Day is a great day honor those who curently serve, and have served. And yes, we also want to remember and never forget those who never made it home. I am proud of, honored, and grateful to have gotten to know or have known people like Floyd, both of my grandfathers, (and now I know) my great grandfather (WWI) for their service to their country to protect and keep us free a free nation. The services Connie mentioned and referenced sound very moving, maybe someday I could go witness these for myself. I was glad to find out that my grandfather LeBlanc's service foot stone was just added at the cemetary last week just in time for Memorial Day. It is important that future generations never forget.

[connie]

I agree. I think that the services at the American Battle Monuments cemeteries would be amazing to behold. Last fall I attended a grave adoption ceremony at Henri Chapelle put on by local people, and it was quite a ceremony. I am told that the Memorial Day Ceremonies put on by the Americans are a beautiful tribute.

And, today as you think of your grandfather's final resting place in the states, my thoughts go to where my father is buried. You're right. It is a good time to remember all who faced the possibility of death in service to their country.

[Carl W.]

An impression of the ceremony this weekend at Henri Chapelle. Picture taken by a friend. Unfortunately due to exams I could not attend this year.



Field of heroes, forever young...

Greetings from Belgium,
Carl

[floydragsdale]

This Memorial Day I’ll also remember the folks on the home front, where communication lines vibrated with the horrifying words of sadness: “The Secretary of War regrets to inform you - - telegrams that ceaselessly crushed the lives of the innocent, bringing grief and sorrow to homes throughout our land. Aged mothers and young wives were to bear the weight of sorrow for the remainder of their lives.

I’ll remember those mothers and fathers who had hopes and dreams for their sons and daughters.

What a tragic event it must have been for them to receive a telegram that said, “The Secretary of War regrets to inform you."

How tragic it was to see their sons fall in action, mortally wounded, on the battlefield.

Whether on the home front, or a to a foxhole on the front lines, war delivered tragic messages in many ways to countless people all over the world.

Floyd,
424th Regiment

[Diana E]

That is a beautiful and moving visual, Carl. Thank you for posting it.

For years before my grandpa passed away, he and Grandma placed the flags on the veterans' graves at their local cemetery in southern Missouri. Grandma passed away in 2005, so Grandpa did the task alone in 2006. In 2007, when Grandpa was sick the week before Memorial Day and knew he would not live to Memorial Day, he gave his two sons instructions on placing the flags so the tribute would not go undone in his absence.

[connie]

Carl,

Thanks for sharing the photo of this year's ceremony. The view in the other direction-- of the thousands of crosses-- is one that was also beautiful and sobering to me. For that view of the cemetery (with your back to what you see in Carl's picture) and a bit of the procession leading into last year's ceremony, I just discovered this You-tube clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M63R1JRo8C8&feature=related
This is not the only cemetery that holds members of the 106th. I know of at least 1 member in Luxembourg American Cemetery. There are, I believe, some buried in the Netherlands... Perhaps someone else knows of other places that hold our men.

Diana,
What a beautiful family tradition...

Connie

[kaben3]

Carl, very moving and beautiful picture.

Diana I am sure your grandfather is proud for his sons carry on the tradition. It is important that future generations continue on the tradition of honoring our fallen, serving, and veterens. You sound just as proud

And, Connie, I didn't realize how beautiful American Battle Monument Cemetaries are. I looked a little further into the link you posted last night, and they had a 2 or 3 minute online video called "Fields of Honor", of how beautifully manicured, and amazing structures, all different, and I wasn't aware there were that many US worldwide cemetaries. They all seem like a beautiful and peaceful place(s). Our fallen veteran's are definitely being honored overseas through the care and pride of their final resting place, and also through the ceremonies grateful nations display as Carl posted.

www.abmc.gov/home.php

[roger]

There is hardly anything that I could say that has not already been said in this series of posts. I would only add my thanks to Floyd and the other veterans on this board for their contributions and their service to our country. Thanks to Connie and Carl for their commitment to keeping the message board going......there is so much incredible information shared here....we must never forget it.

Finally, thank you dad (Sgt. William Myers) for your service and the values and lessons you taught me as a child....many of those lessons and values I am sure were the result of what you had learned defending this great country. I miss you!!

Roger Myers

[hlb446]

Today is a very special day to remember each and every veteran. I am eternally grateful to ALL of them and I am very proud of both of my Grandfathers who served in WWII, Alfred J. leBlanc and Harry J. Bennett (both deceased) I can only imagine what they they and ALL the veterans went through.
I am very new to all of this but my Sister Karrie Bennett informed me of this discussion group and I am glad I have become a member. I find everyone's stories so moving.

Thank you again to all the Veterans and hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day.

~Hollie~

[connie]

As Memorial Day 2012 approaches, I remember the words we heard repeated so often in Belgium: "Least we forget..."

This morning I thought of the impressive ceremonies that occur each year at the American Battle Monument cemeteries across Europe. In looking at more of the You Tube Posts on this cemetery I ran across one that was set to the music of a stirring song I'd never heard before. Unfortunately I moved beyond that post and haven't rediscovered it. But the words included " Some Gave All..." And this is so deeply true. Their loss of the future, their family's loss, and the loss to all is beyond imagining. And this loss should not be forgotten.


I know that Memorial Day is designated to remember those who gave their lives for their country while Veteran's Day celebrates all who served. But the distinctions do blur. The song words at one point said "All gave some. Some gave all." But I know that those from the 106th who were fortunate enough to return home had all given more significantly than the words "all gave some" imply. One woman who approached Floyd in Belgium noted something to the effect that she realized that he and others like him had given up their youth to help fight on foreign soil. I know that their lives were forever changed, and young men experienced horrors and deprivation, repeatedly facing things that no one should ever have to experience. Some did give all. All from the 106th gave much more than we can imagine. Most faced the possibility of death more than once. All carry the memories of war with them every day of their lives... forever.

My heart goes out to all who were touched by the terrible sacrifices of war.

Thank you.

PS.
Here's a brief (39 second) clip from the Memorial Day 2010 ceremonies at Henri Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbyE9MFZt4A

[floydragsdale]

Hello Connie:

Thank you for your Memorial Day tribute. If I can get my twenty five cents worth attached I' include it here.

Floyd

see: 106thdivision.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=remembering&thread=685&page=1#2487

Attachments:

[roger]

Floyd

Simply THANK YOU for your service, your sacrifice and your willingness to share with all of us from your heart!

With Great Respect,
Roger

[Larry Heider]

Tonight, on the eve of Memorial Day 2012, I checked in on this message board after a long absence. Reading all your deeply meaningful posts is a long-needed wakeup call. Tomorrow our flag will be waving on the flagpole, my wife and kids are going to join me in attending the local Memorial Day Parade and I am going to rededicate myself to taking the time to honor the service that my uncle, Sgt. Dick Maslankowski 424/E and every other member of the 106th gave to this country. It is an honor to be a member of this Association that cares so much about those who gave so much.
Thank you,
Larry Heider

[floydragsdale]

A reason to remember Solders & Veterans on Memorial Day

The Infantry Soldier faced diverse situations every day.
He wore the same clothes 24 hours a day for weeks at a time. Ate when there was food and he had the time to consume it and sometimes while he sat on the frozen bodies of dead enemy soldiers.

He used his steel helmet as a pot to shave, cook chow, wash his socks in and to relieve him self while standing in a fox hole.

For a place to sleep, he dug slit trenches long and wide enough for his body; then placed logs and pine boughs on the top of it for protection from artillery shells bursting in tree tops and to help hold body heat

He went to sleep while walking; used his knees for a desktop when writing a letter to his loved ones back home. In winter months he struggled to survive days and nights of freezing hell in temperatures as low as twenty five degrees below zero.

He saw his comrades fall, mortally wounded while obeying orders that demanded “Hold your positions at all costs.” Translated, that means stay where you are and fight until you’re dead.

In battle, the American Infantry Soldier fought to save our nation. A country, with the best flag and the best Government ever given to man. For a brief moment in history, American Infantry Soldiers, and those who supported him in combat, held the fate of our nation and the world in their hands. These Soldiers and the others like them are the servicemen, who, in the hours when the earth’s foundation quivered, and the ground shook, stood firm amid the whine of bullets, the blast of mortars and the zinging sound of jagged artillery shrapnel filling the air around them.

Now the majority of WWII service men and women have left the framework of life. A few are left behind, and are waiting for their summons to follow their comrades in arms. All served this nation with the meager pay of a soldier; yet, with a code - - - duty, honor, country. Summoned by the clarion call to arms, they came from across the land, from the factories and the farms, from schools and their offices, from the sidewalks of New York to the shores of San Francisco, they came. Their generation had a rendezvous with destiny. They met it head on and came out with the trophy of victory and freedom for our country. May God bless their memory to future generations of the U.S.A.

They merit a salute on this Memorial Day

Floyd D. Ragsdale, Veteran of the
106th Infantry Division
424th Regiment

[connie]

Memorial Day 2013

Moving into Memorial Day weekend it's time to bring this thread to the top again, as we remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Know that ceremonies are planned for the American Battle Monuments Cemeteries on Sunday May 25
Those who were left behind on foreign soil are remembered there.

[connie]

Memorial Day 2014

I spent some time rereading past postings (and removing links that no longer work). The journey through the postings was moving. I found my thoughts returning to Henri-Chappelle Cemetery where so many from the 106th who did not come home are buried. Thoughts also turned to the American Battle Monuments Cemetery in Luxembourg, where a few years back I also visited the grave site of Captain John Pitts, commander of A Battery of the 590th Field Artillery Battalion, killed the first day of the Bulge.

Today I remember not just their sacrifices but our losses...

And I think of their families. When we honor our fallen, do we remember those they left behind...? It's only been in recent years that family members have hit my radar screen... deeply. For them the losses are something they cope with daily-- not remote history.

I do believe that as more and more of their comrades now leave us, there is one amazing reunion going on.

I am also glad that there is a 3 day weekend where sometimes people forget what the holiday is all about-- where there are barbecues and laughter and families enjoying life. This is the good stuff, and I think that those who served came to value these simple joys more than most of us can comprehend. Most would have approved of both our remembering and our occasionally forgetting...

To Jack Pitts and all the others who never got to live out their lives and to the man who was his executive officer during Tennessee Maneuvers (my dad) and all the others who brought the memories home with them... You have touched our lives. You are missed. You are remembered.

Connie

PS Hope others will find an outlet for their thoughts and memories here today, too...

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