Post by Diana E on Jul 25, 2010 12:23:53 GMT -5
Hello.
My grandpa served with the 81st Combat Engineers. He was a "replacement," sent to join them at the beginning of 1945, for the push back. He passed away in 2007.
In Autumn 2008, I traveled to the Ardennes to see where he had experienced the war. It was without question the most memorable trip I have ever taken. (Confession: I still look at the St Vith webcam almost every morning.)
To prepare for my trip, I researched Jim West's fantastic compilation at Indiana Military.org, and Carl W's excellent site. In Belgium, I met Eddy M, and received a great deal of assistance from Denise at CRIBA, who went to great effort to make sure I saw all of the important sites.
When I returned, I made a DVD slide show for my family, most of whom didn't have know where or what battles my grandpa served in. I'd be happy to share some or all of the slide show here, if there is interest. I also have a few items that were my grandpa's from the war.
I "compartmentalize" my WWII research, because like genealogy, it becomes all-consuming. So I work on it for a few hours or days, and then set it aside for long periods of time. However, I may have another chance to spend a day in the Ardennes this November, so I'm back to researching how to make the most of that day.
Back here at home, I support a great start-up WWII museum, and have donated a copy of "St Vith: Lion in the Way" to their research library. www.wwiihistorycenter.org/
So, a big hello to those of you I've already had contact with, and to the rest, I look forward to "meeting" you.
My grandpa served with the 81st Combat Engineers. He was a "replacement," sent to join them at the beginning of 1945, for the push back. He passed away in 2007.
In Autumn 2008, I traveled to the Ardennes to see where he had experienced the war. It was without question the most memorable trip I have ever taken. (Confession: I still look at the St Vith webcam almost every morning.)
To prepare for my trip, I researched Jim West's fantastic compilation at Indiana Military.org, and Carl W's excellent site. In Belgium, I met Eddy M, and received a great deal of assistance from Denise at CRIBA, who went to great effort to make sure I saw all of the important sites.
When I returned, I made a DVD slide show for my family, most of whom didn't have know where or what battles my grandpa served in. I'd be happy to share some or all of the slide show here, if there is interest. I also have a few items that were my grandpa's from the war.
I "compartmentalize" my WWII research, because like genealogy, it becomes all-consuming. So I work on it for a few hours or days, and then set it aside for long periods of time. However, I may have another chance to spend a day in the Ardennes this November, so I'm back to researching how to make the most of that day.
Back here at home, I support a great start-up WWII museum, and have donated a copy of "St Vith: Lion in the Way" to their research library. www.wwiihistorycenter.org/
So, a big hello to those of you I've already had contact with, and to the rest, I look forward to "meeting" you.
