d o g
f a c e s o l
d i e r s
A photographic
journey of the
Third Signal Co. of
the 15th Regiment
of the U.S. Third
Infantry Division-
WWII
by Denis Toomey
May 26-June 5th, 2008
64th Anniversary
Battlefield Tour
of Italy
Clyde E. Easter at
276-728-7293
299 Panorama Drive,
Fancy Gap, VA
24328-2751
May 30, 2008
Outpost 7 Meeting-
3:15 PM, Friday
Arlington Natl.
Cemetery
Washington, DC
June 12-15, 2008
OP Harry Survivors
Association Reunion
Renton, WA POC Jerry Cunningham
1-803-783-4491
June 27-28,
2008
Audie Murphy Days
Greenville,TX
www.cottonmuseum.com
1-903-450-1990
July 12, 2008
Outpost 22 Annual
Picnic
Yorba Reg. Park, CA
July 27, 2008
Korean War
Anniversary
Ceremonies
KW Monument-
9:00 am
Arlington Cemetery -
2:00PM
POC Monika Stoy
1-703-912-4218
August 15-17,
2008
Operation Dragoon
60th Anniversary
Provence, France
POC Monika Stoy
1-703-912-4218
September 18-21,
2008
89th Annual Reunion
Society of the 3ID
Columbus Airport
Hotel
Columbus, GA
October 26, 2008
Outpost 18
Fall Meeting
October 2008
Cubs Win World Series
100 Year Drought Ends
Chicago, IL
Nov. 11, 2008
Veterans Day and
WWI
90th Anniversary
Chateau-Thierry,
France
POC Monika Stoy
1-703-912-4218
Nov. 11, 2008
Veterans Day
OP 7 Ceremonies
Arlington Cemetery
POC John Insani
1-703-370-4586
August 10-23, 2009
65th Anniversary
Battlefield Tour
For the Society of the
3rd Infantry Division
Italy, France
3rd Infantry
Division Archive All the Old News that Fits, We
Print!
If you can't find it on the front page or Current Events page, it's probably here.
We Are There
Florida
Fallen Heroes
Allow me to introduce
myself, I am the father of Pfc. Timothy J. Seamans, US Army, 3ID
69AR 1st BAT, CHARLIE CO out of Ft. Stewart, GA who was KIA on
August 18, 2005 in Samarra, Iraq. I am the founder and President of
the Timothy J. Seamans Memorial Foundation, Inc. dba Florida Fallen
Heroes
www.floridafallenheroes.org and our purpose and mission is
to create, establish and help maintain the Fallen Soldier Monument
at each home-town high school of a Florida graduate who have lost
their lives defending the United States of America in our war
against terrorism. In addition the foundation will honor all past
alumni of these high schools who have also made the ultimate
sacrifice in the defending the freedoms and liberties of this great
nation we call America. These monuments cost $9700.00 each. We have
been successful in raising enough money to place one monument in
Jacksonville, FL.
On Friday, September 28,
2007, 7 PM our 1st Florida Fallen Heroes Monument was dedicated and
commemorated at Terry Parker High School, Jacksonville, FL. In
attendance were over 200 guest and visitors, among those in
attendance were the American Legion Riders from Post 283 and 316;
Beaches Honor Guard who rendered honors with 21 gun salute and taps;
our Master of Ceremonies Mr. Dan McCarty, Director of Veterans
Services, City of Jacksonville; and five fallen families from the
Jacksonville area. The monument is approximately 5 1/2 feet tall
with a red brick (symbolizing the bloodshed) walkway containing the
names of fifteen (15) fallen heroes, 13 Vietnam Veterans and two
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans, along with three upgraded red
bricks honoring those still serving and as a reminder more names
could be added. The service was approximately 1 hour with
refreshments provided the Navy Wives Club Dixie 300. At the
conclusion we were interviewed by Channel 4 and Ms. Jennifer
Robinson of the University of Florida newspaper who has been
interviewing fallen families throughout Florida for her senior
theses.
TO ALL,
Below is a message I have received from Dave Seamans of Outpost 2, Florida,
stating that his efforts to get the Florida House and Senate to approve his
Gold Star License Plate program that he has been working on for many months,
has been approved. Dave had a son who served with the 3ID and was KIA in
Iraq.
As you can see I responded to his email and congratulated him for his
accomplishment.
Rock of the Marne
Dear Jim:
Just a quick note.... the Gold Star License proposal has been approved by
the House and Senate now waiting on the Governor to sign. I was informed by
Gina Evans, Legislative Assistant to Rep Larry Cretul that she spoke with
the Governor's Office and he will have a special ceremonial signing. When
that will happen I don't know, but I will be informed so I can attend the
ceremony. I believe we will become the 16th State to honor the fallen with a
Gold Star License Plate.
All my best, and thanks for the support and prayers.
Best regards,
Dave Seamans
Congratulations on your
success on having your Gold Star License Plate program approved by the
Florida House and Senate. You are to be commended for your efforts and time
that you have give to this project. Your deserve a big HOOAH for your
accomplishment.
Respectfully,
Jim Tiezzi
Special Attention to Florida Veterans
Proposal for Gold Star License Plate for the State of Florida
Allow me to introduce myself, I am the father of PFC
Timothy J. Seamans, U.S. Army killed in action on August 18, 2005 in
Samarra, Iraq. I have designed a specialty Gold Star License Plate for the
State of Florida (see below). I am trying to gain support for this
proposal and I am asking all Florida Veterans and their families to contact
their legislators and urge them to support this proposal. (Dave Seamans is a member of Outpost 2 in Florida)
Any questions please do not hesitate in contacting me.
Best regards,
Dave Seamans
7130 Oakwood Dr
Jacksonville, FL 32211-7652 seascoutds@aol.com
Proposal
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, this letter serves to
formally notify you of my intent to submit a proposal to create a Gold Star
specialty license plate. The purpose of this license plate is to honor the
families of those killed in service during peacetime, act of war or
conflict. The surviving spouse of Florida residents who have been awarded
the Gold Star, or the surviving parents (if there is no spouse) and sibling,
may apply for a Gold Star License Plate. The money will be used to support
the efforts of the Lest They Be Forgotten Foundation (non-profit) with the
first one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) to be set aside.
Fees (suggested)
First Time Fee: $25.00 annual fee plus $2 processing fee (plus registration
fees)
Special Fee: $10.00
Distribution of Special Fee: Lest They Be Forgotten Foundation
Availability
Gold Star license plates are permanent and may be displayed on passenger
vehicles, trucks and vans weighing 8,000(suggested) or less and Sport
Utility Vehicles.
To Apply
One must provide a Gold Star affirmation statement (Click
Here for pdf printable statement) attesting to receipt of the
Gold Star, including the service member’s name and relationship to the
applicant. The request can only be processed in Tallahassee or any local Tax
Collectors office. Apply in person or mail when processing through
Tallahassee with the proper documentation to:
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Neil Kirkman Bldg.
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Celebrating the Marne Divisions Birthday
Click Here for Frontline Insert
The decision
to donate $1,000 to the Army Museum project from the Memorial Fund
is now official. Of the 12 members of the Excom, 9 have voted YES
and 2 have voted NO. And one member abstained. Therefore, the motion
to donate the $1,000 to the Army Museum is approved by a majority of
the Excom.
I will make the necessary arrangements to transfer the $1,000 from
the Memorial fund and make a donation to the Army Museum. Society
Members are urged to make their own personal donations to the Museum
of the Army at this website:
https://www.usarmyregistry.org/donation_start.aspx
Ray Anderson Secretary/Treasurer
CONNECTICUT
VETERANS WARTIME SERVICE MEDAL
All Connecticut veterans
with qualifying wartime military service are eligible to receive the
Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal. Since last fall, the
Connecticut State Department of Veteran's Affairs has hosted
invitation-only ceremonies during which veterans of all wars receive
the Medal. It is the first of its kind that the state has minted
since the end of World War I. The 270,000 veterans who will receive
it are Connecticut natives or current residents who served in a war
and received honorable discharges. All living war veterans from
World War II to the current war in Iraq are entitled to the medal.
The medal can also be mailed to the veteran's home.
In order to receive the
medal, the veteran must meet all of the following requirements:
1. Submit documentary proof of qualifying military wartime service
(90 days wartime service, unless the war or operation lasted less
than 90 days); (i.e. DD Form 214 or other documentation if DD Form
214 is unavailable)
2. Submit proof of an honorable discharge from military service (or
discharge due to injuries received in the line of duty) for the
qualifying wartime service.
3. Submit proof that you currently are a resident of the State of
Connecticut or that you were a resident at the time of your
qualifying wartime service. (e.g., photocopy of State of Connecticut
driver's license).
Awards will not be made posthumously.
Send applications & supporting documentation to:
Department of Veterans' Affairs,
ATTN: Wartime Medal and Registry,
287 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
or Fax: (860) 721-5919.
[Source: Military.com 1 Oct article ++]
Thanks to Martin Markley for
this information.
Ripped
from the Headlines! Click Here to go to our
OIF 2007-8 Page
for
the latest news from Iraq and the 3ID
You can retire your tattered, worn out and frayed
American flags without cost to you. Send your flags to the
Kitchen Table Gang Trust, 42922 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93638-8866
and we will dispose of your flags in a proper and dignified manner
with full honors and dignity pursuant to the United States Flag
Code Section 8K. We have been doing this for he past seven
years. Our flag retirement ceremonies are held on Flag Day,
June 14th each year and are conducted by an all volunteer U.S.
Marine Corps Honor Guard led by GySgt. Dan Kelley USMC (Ret.).
Thanks,
Charles Taliaferro
ctaliaferro@kitchentablegang.org
THE KITCHEN TABLE GANG TRUST
http://www.kitchentablegang.org
New Museum Seeks Purple Heart Recipients
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is currently under
construction in New York's Hudson River Valley at the New Windsor Cantonment
State Historic Site. Its mission is to collect and preserve the stories of
Purple Heart recipients from all branches of the service and across the
generations in an attempt to ensure that all recipients are represented.
Their stories will be preserved and shared through exhibits, live and
videotaped interviews with the veterans themselves, and the Roll of Honor,
an interactive computer program preserving the stories of each individual.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor the
first in the nation to recognize the more than 800,000 Americans wounded or
killed in action while serving in the United States Military.
For more information or to have your story preserved as a Purple Heart
recipient, contact:
Michael J. Clark,
Project Coordinator, National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site
P.O. Box 207 (374 Temple Hill Road)
Vails Gate, NY 12584-0207
telephone 845-561-1765, or e-mail
michael.clark@oprhp.state.ny.us
Read the
story
of Joe Englert
3rd Infantry Division, Co. E., 2nd Battalion, 7th
Infantry Regiment
Now Available
http://www.warfoto.com/30inf.htm 30th Infantry Regiment Association Webpage
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry
Division stand tall with their battalion commander,
Lt. Col. Kenneth P. Adgie, and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph D. Altman, at a
pre-deployment ceremony March 23 held at Cottrell Field.
The unit gathered in the semblance of the Marne emblem to commemorate their
upcoming rotation in Iraq.
Wounded
veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have many
challenges ahead, but finding transportation shouldn't
be one of them. That's the view of a new nonprofit
group,
Veterans Airlift Command (VAC), which is recruiting
volunteer pilots and aircraft owners to lend air support
to recovering soldiers and their families. The group
recently flew its first mission, bringing an injured
Marine from Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., to his
home in Florida. Walt Fricke, founder and CEO of VAC,
called on father and son Billy and Christopher Ball to
pilot the first mission. They flew their Cirrus from
Jacksonville, Fla., to pick up Cpl. Christopher Brink.
The trip home to Florida, which would have required 13
hours and three layovers on commercial flights, took
only three hours in the Cirrus. "This is a great way for
us to give back and a really cool experience overall,"
said Christopher Ball. "You just can't imagine the
appreciation of the young men and women we are helping."
Thought you would all like
this.
Wil
Respectfully,
The Sheriff
WIL B. NEUBAUER
MAJ, IN
AVN BDE S1
Office Phone: 912.315-3755
DSN Phone: 729-3755
Cell Phone: 912.596-9642
"Wings of the Marne"
CSA asked that this be shared with all of you.
I recently represented you and
the United States Army at the funeral for SSG Greg McCoy, MP,
assigned to the 410th MP Company, Fort Hood, Texas. He was
killed by an IED in Iraq on 9 November. As always the ceremony
was very moving, but especially poignant was the letter that his
wife read during the Service. The letter pretty much says it all
about our great Soldiers and families. The letter was published
in the Waco Tribune on 21 November.
**************************************************
A War Widow Remembers Her Husband
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Below is a letter written by Lori McCoy, wife of Army Staff Sgt.
Gregory McCoy and mother of two. Sgt. McCoy, a Riesel resident,
was killed Nov. 9 by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. He was 26. His
widow's letter was read aloud during his memorial service
Monday.
One question has been put before me time and time again in the
past week.
That question is "Do I support the war?" Although my answer was
the same every time, I have felt that I did not fully explain
why I answered the way I did.
While we were in Germany, my husband told me that if he didn't
get the opportunity to deploy, he would not re-enlist. He felt
like he was not able to use his training and found himself
looking for a way to fulfill that uncertainness inside of him.
Deep down, I knew that deploying was what it would take for Greg
to feel like a real Soldier. When that opportunity was before
us, I was excited for him. He was going to do what he wanted to
do and felt their mission was justified. I could not imagine him
not being able to participate in something he felt was his duty.
Though I worried about him, I knew that he and his unit would do
everything possible to ensure their safety and I will never
forget the moment of his return from his first deployment.
Starting that very day, he was already referring to "when he
went back."
There was something about deploying that really made Greg feel
complete. We have a beautiful family and a loving marriage, and
I could never find it in me to try to talk him out of something
he felt was so important. Greg definitely believed in his duty
first. But before you think that is inappropriate, let me say
that the many absences we went through made our relationship
stronger, and made what time we were able to spend together even
more precious.
I never thought that Greg would not come home. To have thoughts
like that when your husband is gone would make every day
unbearable and I still had two little boys to care for. Through
seven years of marriage, I had shown Greg that I was capable of
standing on my own two feet and he never doubted my ability to
care for us in his absence.
Even now, I feel comforted in knowing that Greg not only loved
me but trusted me enough to leave us. So now, when I think about
my answer to that question "Do I support the war?" this is what
I say. It's not a matter of whether I support the war. What
matters is that I supported my husband in something that was so
important to him. I support the other Soldiers who served with
him and their families, who share in our sacrifice. I support
the Soldiers of the 410th Military Police Company specifically
who, despite my husband's death, continue with their mission,
because I know Greg would want them to complete it.
But I want to pose a question to those who hold the fate of our
military in their hands. Will you make my husband's death worth
it? He died believing that his mission was right and just. He
was never afraid to fight to defend our country and would have
gone to the end of the earth if that's where the Army needed
him. If we allow our nation to feel like this is a war we cannot
win, we are saying that the price paid by my husband and other
Soldiers like him was paid in vain. As Americans, we need to
make sure that the end justifies the means.
To our family and friends and those who have been pillars of
support during this time, I want to thank you. But instead of
mourning for us, I want you to mourn for the people who were
never blessed with knowing Greg. He was a loving husband and
doting father. He had an ability to make anyone laugh and I feel
regret for those who were never able to see this in him.
I know several of you have said that you will always remember
Greg. But as his wife, I want to ask you that instead of just
remembering him, you never forget him. Never forget his bravery,
courage and commitment to our country. Never forget what he
sacrificed so that we might have a better life. Never forget
that what he died doing he believed in. But most of all, never
forget that men and women like him became heroes long before
they died. They became heroes when they enlisted.
About the Program
In these demanding times, we are all Soldiers for freedom. We cannot do
our jobs without the support of our families and employers. By
nominating a member of your support team, you will recognize
them for their valiant effort in supporting a great cause – you!
And that’s why you should become a part of the U.S. Army’s
Freedom Team Salute.
The Freedom Team Salute gives Active, Reserve and National Guard
Soldiers an opportunity to recognize parents, spouses and
employers for the support and strength they provide, while you
serve to protect our freedom and the American way of life. The
Freedom Team Salute is a recognition program and provided at no
cost to the recipient or nominator.
Freedom Team Salute (FTS) is an official program sponsored and
funded through the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army
for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA). It is not a
fund-raising project but is intended to honor those who support
our U.S. Army active-duty Soldiers, Reservists, and Guardsmen,
as well as honor U.S. Army veterans who have served this nation,
including those who served in the Reserves or Guard. All
material is provided at no cost to either the nominator or the
recipient.
As a special thanks to our Nation's veterans, the Army would
like to send a Freedom Team Salute to veterans for their
dedicated service and continued support of today's Soldiers.
Who Can Nominate
The general public and civilians as well as all service members,
can nominate an unlimited number of U.S. Army Veterans. A
Veteran is a person who served in the active military, naval, or
air service, and who was discharged or released there from under
conditions other than dishonorable. A veteran's service may
include time spent in the Reserves or as a member of the
National Guard.
As an Active Duty Soldier, you can nominate the following people
for a Freedom Team Salute package:
* One Spouse
* Two Parents
* Unlimited Veterans of the U.S. Army
As a U.S. Army Reservist or National Guardsman, you can nominate
the following people for a Freedom Team Salute package:
* One Spouse
* Two Parents
* One Employer
* Unlimited Veterans of the U.S. Army
As a Veteran of the U.S. Army;
* You can nominate yourself, or
* An unlimited Veterans of the U.S. Army.
Nominate someone to say “thank you” for the way they have
supported you.
The Retired Enlisted
Association (TREA) is providing the Military Reunion Listings as a FREE
service to the veteran community. I search the internet looking for
reunions and then send requests for the information to the listed POC. I
sent 2,108 reunion organizations e-mails requesting information on their
2006 reunions, and unfortunately 25 % failed to respond. We have 1,398
listings on the calendar year 2006 listing. With the next listing
update, we will have over 600 reunion listings for calendar years 2007,
2008, and 2009. (The Society's 88th Annual Reunion in Colorado
Springs will be listed in TREA's next update on March 5th).
Please take a look at our web site,
www.trea.org, scroll down the left side and click on
Reunions/Buddies, and this will bring up the reunion page. As reunions
are completed, they are transferred to the Completed Listing at the end
of the month. There, they will remain as a reference point for someone
looking for a unit contact. My intention is that each calendar year
reunions will be individually listed.
John H.
Moore, SMSgt, USAF Retired (1961–87)
Reunion Manager (volunteer)
The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA)
Home: 657 E. Adams Street, Marengo, IA 52301
Home: (319) 741-5734
Cell: (319) 936-2154
E-mail: TREAreunionsite@mac.com
Web: www.trea.org
The Army Historical Foundation in
conjunction with the Nation Museum of the United States Army is seeking
to create a registry of those who have served and are currently serving
in the U.S. Army. Basic registration is free and can be done online by
going to
http://www.armyhistory.org.
If you or a loved one has or
is serving I highly recommend that you contact the Registry so that what
is here today will still be here tomorrow.
Respectfully,
Michael Wells
7th
Infantry Regiment Association Returning
I just received some important and welcome news about the 7th Infantry
Regiment Association that are currently having their annual reunion in
Charleston, SC.
I received a call a short time ago from Henry Burke, of OP#3, to call Jim
Beckworth, a Board of Director member of the 7th Inf. Reg't Association.
I reached him in his hotel room, and he told me that at their business
meeting this morning, the membership voted to return to having their
reunions with the 3ID Society as of 2008. I told him that we welcome the 7th
with wide open arms and look forward to see them sooner, if possible, at the
Nashville reunion this September and the 2007 reunion in Columbus, GA. He
said that they had already planned on their 2007 reunion, but are pleased to
return to the Society reunion in 2008.
Previous Society Presidents have tried to get the 7th's agreement to return
to the Society reunion, but to no avail. When I came aboard as President, I
was introduced to the previous 7th President in Savannah, and since then he
and I emailed back and forth for several months, but their decision at that
time was to stay on there own. Somehow a seed was planted back then that
eventually can to bear fruit today for them to rejoin the Society reunions.
It feels like one of our own has returned to be with us from 2008 and
thereafter.
We welcome all the COTTONBALERS and it will be good the have three of the
original 3ID Infantry Regiments back together again...the 7th, the 15th and
the 30th Regiments are now together with the rest of the Rock of the Marne
units.
This is a blessing that we have long been waiting for and we thank the
leadership of the 7th that have done a great job in having this come about.
TO ALL COTTONBALERS-------a great big
HOOAH
!
To all: Please pass this good news on to all 7th members that you know.
Rock of the Marne,
Jim Tiezzi,
National President
One of our Society members, Bill Dillon OP5, has started
a website that will be of interest to all of you Korean War Vets. Here
is the address
http://www.vetsofkorea.com/
This January 28 2007 was a day of
remembrance at Holtzwihr, in the Colmar Pocket. Click Here for stories and photos
Eric Vandroux
Rock of the Marne Association
New York Conspicuous Service Cross
Any NEW YORK resident (living or deceased) who is a recipient of at least
one of the 19 the medals listed below may apply for the New York State
Conspicuous Service Cross.
Air Force Cross; Air Medal; Airmen's Medal; Bronze Star Medal; Coast Guard
Medal; Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Meritorious Service
Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal; Distinguished Flying Cross;
Distinguished Service Cross; Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit;
Medal of Honor; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Medal; Navy
Cross; Purple Heart; Silver Star; Soldier's Medal
David Adams
Society of the Third Infantry Division, Outpost #60 15th Infantry Regiment
Association
Seventh United States Cavalry Association
Some time ago, I had alerted the general membership of a
forthcoming book that is being written by Mr. Rainer Peter, a German
educator and a LTC in the German Bundeswehr Reserves. The premise of
Mr. Peter’s book is the firsthand accounts of units and individual
soldiers of the United States Army and the West German Bundeswehr on
August 22, 1968; this is the day/night that the former Soviet Union
set several divisions into Prague, Czechoslovakia to quell the
freedom revolution that was occurring then. Previously, I have
apprised Mr. Peter of my personal recollections in writing as they
pertained to the 1 BN, 15th Infantry and 1 BN, 64th Armor during
that crisis. I need not go into detail about our unit’s actions that
evening as it is too lengthy. However, suffice it to say that we
came as close to WW III then as we did during the Cuban Missile
Crisis in October of 1962 and this fact is known by very few
Americans and, most probably, few Germans.
Below, I am going to paraphrase a portion of Mr. Peter’s most recent
correspondence to me as his written command of the English language
is a little difficult for him. In reading his letter, it is not
difficult to read between the lines and realize that this is a cry
for help from as many U.S. Soldiers from the 3rd I.D. and other
units as he can establish contact with. His primary stumbling block
is that much of the information surrounding the reaction of U.S. and
West German units is still classified and not obtainable by the
general public. Mr. Peter writes:
“..... Hello, David and a very good evening to all of you in
America. Please excuse me for not answering your last email from
some time ago. Regarding my research about August 1968 - reactions
of the Bundeswehr and of the US-Army during the Czechoslovak/USSR
crisis, I am having some difficulty in obtaining access to files
from the German II Corps; also, USAREUR files are classified, too.
And so, I look for eyewitness accounts of this important part of
political and military history (zeitzeugen). The US Army had
stationed in Germany in 1968 the 3.AD, 8.ID (V Corps) and the 3.ID,
4.AD (VII Corps) and one brigade of the 24.ID. I need all the
personal information I can obtain for your soldiers who were here
during that crisis and I am asking for your help. Sincerely yours,
Rainer…..”
Veterans of WWII are now dying at a rate of
about 2,000 per day.
PLEASE, take the time to
read the article belowand listen to
www.beforeyougo.us
The
elderly parking lot attendant wasn't in a good mood.
Neither was Sam Bierstock. It was around 1 a.m., and
Bierstock, a Delray Beach, Fla. , eye doctor, business
consultant, corporate speaker and musician, was bone tired
after appearing at an event.
He pulled up in his car, and the parking attendant began
to speak. "I took two bullets for this country and look
what I'm doing," he said bitterly.
At first, Bierstock didn't know what to say to the World
War II veteran. But he rolled down his window and told
the man, "Really, from the bottom of my heart, I want to
thank you." Then the old soldier began to cry.
"That really got to me," Bierstock says.
Cut to today.
Bierstock, 58, and John
Melnick, 54, of Pompano Beach - a member of Bierstock's
band, Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Band - have written a
song inspired by that old soldier in the airport parking
lot. The mournful "Before You Go" does more than salute
those who fought in WWII. It encourages people to go out
of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die.
"If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life
would have been shot," says Bierstock, who plays
harmonica. "Every ethnic minority would be dead. And the
soldiers are now dying at the rate of about 2,000 every
day.
I thought we needed to thank them."
The song is striking a chord. Within four days of
Bierstock placing it on the Web www.beforeyougo.us ,
the song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around
nine countries, producing tears and heartfelt thanks from
veterans, their sons and daughters and grandchildren.
It made me cry," wrote one veteran's son. Another sent an
e-mail saying that only after his father consumed several
glasses of wine would he discuss "the unspeakable horrors"
he and other soldiers had witnessed in places such as
Anzio, Iwo Jima, Bataan and Omaha Beach. "I can never
thank them enough," the son wrote. "Thank you for thinking
about them."
Bierstock and Melnick thought about shipping it off to a
professional singer maybe a Lee Greenwood type, but
because time was running out for so many veterans, they
decided it was best to release it quickly, for free, on
the Web. They've sent the song to Sen. John McCain and
others in Washington. Already they have been invited to
perform it in Houston for a Veterans Day tribute - this
after just a few days on the Web. They hope every veteran
in America gets a chance to hear it.
www.beforeyougo.us Thanks to Ed Smith and Bill Strong for contributing
this article
Ft Stewart Museum Update
We have received the M113 that is a great part of the SFC
Paul Smith story and it is our latest large artifact for the museum here at
Ft. Stewart. It will take some work to display it properly and is now in the
hands of our competent Ft. Stewart vehicle restoration personnel who are
taking care of it with the honor and dignity that such an historic piece
deserves. Thank you for sharing and allowing me to share this with you.
Vicki
Vicki Hester
Ft. Stewart Museum Historian
(3rd Infantry Division)
2022 Frank Cochran Drive, Building T-904
Ft. Stewart, GA 31314
(912) 767-7885
This photo of Birgit Smith and Walter (Buck) Meeks is in front of the
exhibit dedicated to SFC Smith.
LTC Tim Thomas and Birgit Smith and Kim Webster
They are holding the Medal of Honor that Birgit brought
in for us to see in keeping with her open policy of sharing Paul's story and
keeping his heroic spirit alive. We were pleasantly surprised she brought
the medal with her on a visit to the museum.
Walter (Buck) Meeks (museum curator) is on top the vehicle describing the
elements of the April 4 2003 story to all of us who welcomed Birgit Smith to
Ft. Stewart to view the vehicle. Now that she has seen it we feel confident
that it is appropriate for the American public to view the artifact and it
will find a home soon in the museum so that all can see it and conceive of
one man's valor that it represents.
This photo of Nathan is the proud truck driver who delivered the vehicle
to us unknowing exactly what he was carrying and only told it was important.
Big tough truck driver notwithstanding he almost cried when he learned he
had hauled this for the 3rd Infantry Division and to help us to tell the
story of SFC Paul Smith.
Capt. Levine who is a chaplain here at Ft. Stewart translates into German
for Birgit Smith's visiting family.
3d Division Museum
Currently the Museum has gone
through a complete overhaul and is now welcoming visitors to the 3d
Division Museum. There have been several locations in the past that the
Division has been based and it is the Museum Curators intent as well as
the 3d Division Commanders intent to make the Museum a 3rd ID Show piece.
Our Medal of Honor Wall in the Ft. Stewart Museum honoring the 51 3rd
Infantry Division Medal of Honor recipients. When the wall was built it
would hold exactly 51 framed photos and since we know it is a matter of time
until another 3rd ID (Marne Soldier) is awarded the nation's highest honor,
we need two things: 1) For that soldier and all others to come home safely
and 2) for us to build a new museum with walls large enough to accommodate
our exhibits based on their valor and sacrifices....
Society of the Third Infantry Division,
My name is CPT Robin Johnson and I am a company commander, in 3ID, currently
deployed to Iraq.
I am writing to you today and attaching my website
www.womenofthemarne.com for my book,
“Women of the Marne”. The website gives more details about the
book, but bottom line is that I want to capture and celebrate the
magnificent achievements made by the women of the 3ID during Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Granted, there are more men in the division by far, but I feel that
the stories of these incredible women need to be told as we see amazing
progress of sisters in arms.
I am sending this to you because I read your objectives and I feel that this
book easily meets your objectives, especially number two and three. This
book will be dedicated to the honor the women who paid the final sacrifice
and will perpetuate the memory of other former comrades who shared a
background of honorable military service with the Third Infantry Division.
This book is not a controversial book or anything of that nature, just a
photo illustrated documentation of the contributions made by these mothers,
sisters, daughters, aunts, and wives. I am collecting great stories of women
who are Arabic linguists, going on patrols, apache pilots, and the like.
It would be of great help, if I had your support behind this book. I am
committed to giving a very large percentage of the profits to the Third
Infantry Division Museum and the Women’s Army Museum. Please send photos and Stories to
robin.angela.johnson@us.army.mil
Thank you for your time. ROCK OF THE MARNE!
ROCK SOLID SUPPORT!
To the Leaders and Representatives of Veterans Organizations who are in
support of a Cold War Service Medal:
Please contact your US Congress, US Senate, US House Armed Services Committee,
US Senate Committee on Armed Services Representatives.
Language for the Authorization of a Cold War Victory Medal has been placed in US
Congress Bill HR 1815 - otherwise known as the Fiscal Year 2006
National Defense Authorization Act (FY 2006 NDAA) - SEC. 565 & Sec. 1134.
Please request of Representatives to "Please keep the Cold War Victory Medal in
the final HR 1815 FY 2006 NDAA SEC. 565 & Sec. 1134 bill reported
Back to both houses of Congress so President George W. Bush can sign off on this
well-deserved and long-overdue award" - or something to that affect.
Thank you for your service, and for your time in this matter. Semper Fidelis,
"Mongo" Advocates For Honor
Army
Overseas Service Ribbon
My name is Robert A. Devito and I am a member of
OP#5. I served with the 3ID from May 1972 to Nov. 1973 in a city
called BAD Hissingen, Germany in the 2nd and 41st F.A. I was about
20-25 miles from what was called the one kilometer (1-K) zone, much
like the DMZ Zone in Korea today.
As it stands, myself and thousands of soldiers
who served in that theater of the world are not entitled to any
medals, ribbons, decorations, etc. We served in what many of us refer
to as a Dangerous Zone. If the Warsaw Pact Nations would have
attacked, we would have been one of the first units hit. There is no
Cold War medal or ribbon issued to Cold War veterans, only a Cold War
Certificate that was given to them.
My point is that the Dept. of the Army has authorized the wearing of
an Army Overseas Service Ribbon to military personnel who served in
overseas capacity from August 1, 1981 to the present. Does anyone know
who can be contacted so that this type of service ribbon can be made
retroactive to include the soldiers who served in the same theater in
the time frame that I did? I believe and I and others should be
entitled to this type of award.
Any thoughts or suggestions on this matter would be appreciated.
This message is for any
veteran who fought in the Korean War, especially in 1950-51, but not
limited to those years.
During your time in Korea, many of you were exposed to extreme cold and
didn't have winter clothing and winter boots. If you fall in this category
and are having problems with your legs and feet/hands, etc with burning
cramping pains, toenail deformities, cold clammy feet, cold sensitivity,
peripheral neuropathy, etc., please take the time and go to your nearest
VA clinic and or hospital and be checked out for cold injury or contact a
service officer with American Legion, DAV, VFW, etc and tell them that you
would like to be checked for this.
Contributed by Martin Markley
Here's a website
for Veterans, including thousands
from the 3rd Infantry Division,
who trained at the Wildflecken Training Area,
in West Germany during the Cold War:
http://www.wildfleckenveterans.com (Courtesy of John
Parmenter)
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Wounded
veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have many
challenges ahead, but finding transportation shouldn't
be one of them. That's the view of a new nonprofit
group,
