Schuylkill County Pennsylvania Military History: BATTLE OF THE BULGE REMEMBRANCE AT FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA. JANUARY 31, 2009

Sunday, February 1, 2009

BATTLE OF THE BULGE REMEMBRANCE AT FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA. JANUARY 31, 2009

TOMMY SYMONS AND MYSELF WITH TWO VETS FROM THE 87TH DIVISION

Yesterday, January 31, my butty Tommy Symons and I took a trip down to Fort Indiantown Gap to see the living history program set up in remembrance of the Battle of the Bulge. Following are some of the highlights of the day. Actually the highlight of the day was being able to sit down with a few of the veterans from the battle and talk to them.

Veteran Ed Lambert served at the Bulge with the 6th Armored Division 68th Tank Bn. "C" Co. Ed was a sherman tank commander. What an interesting story he told.

Two Buddies from the 87th Division
On left is George L. Watson Co.M 346th Inf 87th Division
On right is John E. McAuliffe Com M 347th Inf 87th Division

Billie E. Houseman Vlllth Corps 561st Field Artillery east of St. Vith

George Merz was an MP during the Battle and with stood the heavy German shelling of Bastogne, were he earned the Bronze Star for directling the American Tanks going into the fight. George served with 8th Corps 881th MP co.

Veteran Emmet Lang 84th Division and George Shenkle 82nd Airborne 508th rgt.
Veterans of the Bulge.

SCENES FROM THE DAY

My Friend Mike Diffendall member of the 82nd Airborne Unit and a friend as living historians.

82nd Airborne Living Historians.

Nice floor mat in the 82nd barracks.

Ryan Rentschler portrays a member of the 9th SS

German Gun

German Nurses

German Signs

German and his dog

SOME OTHER THINGS HAPPENING AT FORT INDIANTOWN GAP

CH-47 HOVERING

PENNSYLVANIA AIR NATIONAL GUARD EC-130 FROM THE 193RD. "LETS ROLL"

1 comment:

whiskeymedic said...: Nice posting, My Dad is Ed Lambert, thanks for including him in your blog!; February 20, 2009 at 3:55 PM

Vietnam War 50th Anniversary

President Richard M. Nixon made this quote to the New York Times on March 28, 1985.
"No event in American history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War. It was misreported then, and it is misremembered now.”
The Department of Defense, announced in January of this year, a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The program intends to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.
The Vietnam War is one of America’s longest wars surpassed recently by the current war in Afghanistan. The war in Vietnam’s length can be measured in many different ways. The formal beginning of U.S. involvement started in 1961 with American military advisors being sent to Vietnam. By the time the last U.S. ground combat troops were withdrawn in March 1973, the war had lasted 103 months.
For me and many of my Vietnam Veteran brothers and sisters, it is hard to believe that the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War is being commemorated. For many of us veterans of the Vietnam War, we have a tendency to think of our lives in a different way than most people. We look at life before Vietnam and life after Vietnam. Before Vietnam, life for me was pretty simple and carefree. After Vietnam life was totally different. Each and every veteran had to deal with their service in Vietnam and its aftermath. Most of us went to work, back to school, started families and tried to put all the hurt, sorrow and anger behind us. Others suffered for years and life became very difficult. But today, that is not the message I want to deliver...
I don’t know how many men and women from Schuylkill County served in Vietnam during the 1961-1975 period. The statistics are hard to substantiate. But one thing is certain thirty-nine Schuylkill County men gave their lives or were listed as missing during the Vietnam War. If you have the time, visit the Vietnam War memorial in Schuylkill Haven and read the stories of these men.
On a good note, recently, the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution (H.R. 709) that was introduced by Rep. Robert F.Belfanti, a Marine Corps veteran and fellow brother of the Vietnam War. The resolution was adopted for the purpose of setting aside one day in Pennsylvania, that being Monday April 25, 2011 specifically dedicated to recalling and honoring the sacrifices made by Pennsylvania residents who fought in Vietnam. More than 300,000 Pennsylvanians served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and of the 58,000 plus U.S. troops who sacrificed their lives in the war, 3,132 were from the state of Pennsylvania.
In closing, I will honor and pay my respect to our fallen comrades and fellow brothers and sisters of the Vietnam War by visiting the Schuylkill County Vietnam Memorial on April 25, 2011.And during this year, take the time to visit the memorial to honor and commemorate those who served so you are free. When you meet a Vietnam veteran please take the time to say “Welcome home, and thank you for your service!”.

Bumper-Stickers Seen On Military Bases.

"When In Doubt, Empty The Magazine"

"Marine Sniper - You can run, but you'll just die tired!"

"Machine Gunners - Accuracy By Volume"

"Except For Ending Slavery, Fascism, Nazism and Communism, WAR has Never Solved Anything."

" U.S. Marines - Certified Counselors to the 72 Virgins Dating Club."

" U.S. Air Force - Travel Agents To Allah"

"Stop Global Whining"

Naval Corollary: Dead Men Don't Testify."

The Marine Corps - When It Absolutely, Positively Has To Be Destroyed Overnight"

"Death Smiles At Everyone - Marines Smile Back"

"What Do I Feel When I Kill A Terrorist? A Little Recoil"

"Marines - Providing Enemies of America an Opportunity To Die For their Country Since 1775"

"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Anyone Who Threatens It"

"Happiness Is A Belt-Fed Weapon"

"It's God's Job to Forgive Bin Laden - It's Our Job To Arrange The Meeting"

"Artillery Brings Dignity to What Would Otherwise Be Just A Vulgar Brawl"

"One Shot, Twelve Kills - U.S. Naval Gun Fire Support "

"My Kid Fought In Iraq So Your Kid Can Party In College"

"A Dead Enemy Is A Peaceful Enemy - Blessed Be The Peacemakers"

"If You Can Read This, Thank A Teacher.. If You Can Read It In English, Thank A Veteran"