Battle of the Bulge stories to become e-book
By Caurie Putnam, Democrat & Chronicle

This week marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, widely considered to be the largest and toughest battle won by American troops during World War II.

U.S. Department of Defense statistics list 19,000 Americans killed, 47,500 wounded and 23,000 missing in the battle that took place from Dec. 16, 1944, through Jan. 25, 1945 in The Ardennes, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany.

My grandfather, Donald “Poppy” Miner was one of the men who survived the Battle of the Bulge and helped lead the allied troops to victory. He never talked about his experience during the battle, or anything to do with World War II, for that matter. When Poppy died in 1993, he took his stories with him — which is not uncommon.

According to the National WWII Museum, only about 1 million of the 16 million veterans of World War II are still alive, and 555 die per day. Most, like Poppy, never share their experiences during the war, which makes it critically important to listen to and support those World War II veterans who do.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to interview several Rochester-area World War II veterans for a series of articles about an extraordinary book they made called The Battle in Common. The book, first published in 2012, bears firsthand accounts of 19 local men who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

The Battle in Common did not start out as a book, but as a three-ring binder of first-person stories collected by members of the now-disbanded Genesee Valley Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. Some of the stories were handwritten and rife with grammatical errors; others read like polished manuscripts.

“I remember feeling in awe at the time,” recalled Michael Riordan, director of the Open Publishing Lab at RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences in Henrietta, who was the recipient of the binder and felt moved to help the veterans preserve and publish their stories. Riordan and his students helped turn the binder into a book. The first printing was so well received, it is virtually sold out throughout the Rochester area. A handful of copies remain at the Veterans Outreach Center’s Flag Store in Rochester, Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport and Yesterday’s Muse Bookstore in Webster.

Upon the 70th anniversary of the battle, the book’s lead organizers decided to create more copies, but this time they are going digital. An electronic version of the book will be released after the first of the year on Amazon, Barnes and Noble.com and Apple iBook.

“We want to keep the stories available to people forever,” said Riordan, explaining why the book committee (made up of several of the book’s authors and key supporters) chose to go digital for this edition.

Like the hard-copy version, all proceeds from the e-book sales will go to the national headquarters of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

“The fact that the release of the e-book coincides with the big anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge is very appropriate,” said David Brookins, a Vietnam War veteran from Webster who sits on the book’s committee. “The stories are all heartfelt and true, and it’s great to be able to capture them forever.”

Photo of book by Michael Riordan

2015 Spirit of 45’ Day National Leaders Conference
San Diego, CA February 12-15, 2015 

Join the growing family of organizations and individuals who are preparing to commemorate the 70th anniversary of “the Greatest Generation’s Greatest Day” – August 14, 1945 – the day World War II ended and America began an unprecedented effort to assure a better future for the world’s children and their children’s children.

Communities across America are being invited to organize commemorative activities to help honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women who were the “ordinary heroes” of the generation that met the challenges of the Great Depression, fought to preserve freedom and democracy in the world, and then went on to help rebuild the postwar world.

Our World War II generation is now rapidly dwindling – please join us in honoring their service and sacrifice, celebrate their postwar accomplishments, and ensure that their legacy will continue to unite and inspire Americans for years to come.

http://www.spiritof45.org/home0.aspx

VBOB representative, Ralph W. Bozorth, Associate

My father, Maurice Berry (Moose) was in the 104^th Regiment, 26^th ID and fought in the Ardennes Woods where he was injured and the Battle of the Bulge. He has visited and toured some of the battle locations and American Battle Monument Cemeteries with my mother and most recently visited with my husband to photograph all of the grave markers of the men in the 26^th who lost their lives in Europe. When he told me in November, 2013 that he wanted to return to Europe, I told him I wanted to go with him and see some of the places where he fought. We decided to plan our visit to coincide with the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Lorraine Cemetery in St. Avold, France.

Several years after Moose photographed the grave markers and posted his story on a Facebook page titled “26^th Infantry Division” we were contacted by a young man named Silvano Thiessen, who adopted the graves of several of the men in the 26^th. Silvano is from a small town in Belgium and was anxious to connect with us. We developed a “facebook friendship” over the course of time and were lucky that he accepted our invitation to join us on our trip. The adventure begins after landing in Brussels, Belgium on May 21 and meeting Silvano.

We drove to Liege, Belgium where we spent the entire afternoon with Marcelle and Mathilde at the Remember Museum. This museum is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. Mathilde shared with us during our individual and personalized tour that the museum stood on the farm land in which Marcelle was raised. He was a young child when World War II was fought and started collecting relics that were left behind to tell the story of the experiences of people in the community; the soldiers who fought in the community and lived to tell about it; and the soldiers who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. They have Army jeeps; artillery; tanks; uniforms; food containers – all which were left when the US Army was given orders to leave Belgium and relocate to other parts of Europe. Marcelle and Mathilde recreated scenes to embody what life looked like 70 years ago – how the women used parachutes to make clothing; what the farm looked like and more. Over the years, the children whose fathers never made it home have also visited the Remember Museum. When these “orphans” of the war visit, Mathilde and Marcelle make a special effort to research and document information about their loved ones so that they can be remembered. Many of those who have visited, sent or left relics to the Remember Museum to display.

Our afternoon ended with a visit to the kitchen which is decorated with thousands of greeting cards thanking the Remember Museum for their work. We were treated to a glass of Belgium beer and homemade Belgium Waffles. This is a different kind of museum from anything you’ll ever see because it focuses on memorializing the people instead of the events! Don’t miss this if you ever get a chance to go to Belgium.

The next adventure started the following morning when we left our hotel and headed to Eschdorf, Luxembourg to see the village in which Moose spent Christmas during the Battle of the Bulge. We managed to find the street on which the house he was bivouac’d was located – but unfortunately we didn’t think the house was still standing. Thanks to Silvano, we met and talked to a man who remembered what it was like when the Germans and Americans were both in his village. Tears came to his eyes when he recalled expressed his gratitude to Moose and shared his memories. Seeing how Eschdorf is perched on the top of a mountain – it’s easy to understand the importance of that village as a way to defend and protect the Sure River.

Next we made our way through Luxembourg to St. Avold, France where we spent time exploring the town, meeting some of the local citizens and attending the Memorial Day ceremony at the Lorraine Cemetery. We were guests of honor and had seats in the first row of the audience along with our new friends. The ceremony was incredible because it was attended by so many. We met people from all parts of France who came to the ceremony on France’s Mother’s Day to honor and show gratitude to the Americans who defended their country during World War II.  Moose had the pleasure of meeting Helen Patton who participated in the program and he was interviewed by a reporter who was creating a documentary about the Lorraine campaign. We placed flowers on the graves of some of the men with whom Moose was close and we met someone who agreed to say the memorial prayer each year for them. It was truly an emotional day to witness!

One of the new friends we made in St. Avold is Gerard, who has also adopted the graves of some of the men in the 26^th ID. He met us in Luneville (our next stop) and helped us find the location where Moose first saw fighting and was injured. The rolling fields and minimal woods showed how vulnerable our soldiers were during the fighting in the Ardennes Woods. There was no place to hide!

Don’t think that we didn’t have fun while we were in Europe! We ate some amazing food in Belgium, France and Luxembourg. We saw some amazing sites including: Luneville Chateau; Esch-sur-Sure; Market Square in Brussels; Mannequin Piss. I had the chance to take the train to Amsterdam where I spent a cold and rainy day exploring Amsterdam and visiting the Anne Frank House.  Moose even got himself a beautiful leather jacket!

In closing, I felt privileged to share this trip with my 90 year old father. I was certainly able to understand more about his experiences as a 19 year old boy during his time in Europe. To see and feel the love and gratitude of the French, Belgium and Luxembourg people we met was incredible. It’s a lesson to teach our children and grandchildren!

Submitted by Susan Miller, daughter of Maurice Berry and VBOB Associate

My name is Daniel JORDAO and I am from the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. I’m currently assisting the Dudzinski family to locate former GIs who were billeted in their house in Diekirch in late November 1944.

One of those GIs’ name was Bill (William?) Lewandowski with Polish origins. Bill Lewandowski was from Wilmington/Delaware.There were also other Polish-descending soldiers billeted in Diekirch in late November 1944. Four of them, attended the wedding of the Dudzinski-Weber family on November 25th, 1944.

The exact outfit of Bill Lewandowski was “Service Battery – 687th Field Artillery Battalion – VIII Corps”. During the time the 687th FAB was in Diekirch he was attached to the 8th Infantry Division and to the 28th Infantry Division.

Bill Lewandowski had a picture taken at a local photographer shop in Diekirch where you can see that he wears a wedding ring, so that I hope that might still be relatives living. The Dudzinski family was told that Bill did not survive the Battle of the Bulge and the last researches revealed that he was KIA in Luxembourg on December 22nd 1944.

Mrs Annie Dudzinski-Weber is now 90 years old and would like to find out more about Bill and the other GIs who attended her wedding.

Can anybody help in this research? Does anyone recognize one of the GIs on the wedding picture or knows a relative of Bill Lewandowski? Any help is welcome.

Please write to:
National Museum of Military History
c/o Daniel Jordao
10, Bamertal
L-9209 Diekirch
Luxembourg / Europe
Or email to: dcj@jordao.lu

Read the program

Hear and read the veterans’ comments

submitted by Megan Moloney, Veterans Affairs

Forever Young was founded all because of a TV news story…

In May 2006, Diane Hight saw a story in the national news of an elderly woman riding in a racecar. Having that experience had always been this lady’s dream. Her wish was fulfilled by a senior wish organization in Indiana, Never Too Late. “Instantly, I knew this was what I wanted to do. I’ve had a passion for senior citizens my entire life”, said Hight.

With the guidance of Bob Haverstick, President of Never Too Late, Forever Young Senior Wish came to life in Memphis. The name, Forever Young, speaks for itself; no matter the age, a person always feels young at heart.

Forever Young works to change the image of aging and redefine it with self-confidence, respect, and a hopeful life for seniors. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a hope and a future”, reads Jeremiah 29:11.  This verse has become the foundation for the mission.

In October 2009, Forever Young found a huge need in the senior adult community. Many World War II veterans had not seen that National WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. That’s when the mission of the organization changed to honoring senior veterans. Hundreds of WWII and Korea Veterans have now been honored through trips to D.C., Normandy, and Pearl Harbor.

An organization that was birthed out of a news story, is now making news all its own.

Forever Young is a registered 501(c)(3) Public Charitable Organization

Visit their web site

The exhibit will be open 2 to 7 p.m. weekends, Dec. 13,14,20,21, 27 and 28, and 4 to 7 p jn. weekdays Dec. 12,17,18,19,29 and 30.

The exhibit features dozens of photographs of the intense battle during which the outcome of the war was in the balance. The array of images captures the essence of the period, from soldiers’ day-to-day routines to their experiences on the front lines, and includes images of the allies, aggressors and civilians as well.

The conflict began in the Ar­dennes forest in Belgium at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 16, 1944, when top Nazi divisions attacked and pushed back a thinly held American line, thus forming a bulge in the front line, which gave this massive en­counter its name. The allies scram­bled, rallied and pushed back the Germans and by the end of January the battle was over and the Nazi armies destroyed.

The exhibit will run concurrently with the month-long Lasdon Holi­day on the Hill event

Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial is a Westches­ter County Park that is located on Route 35 in Somers.
For more in­formation call 914-864-7268.

I am Buck Marsh, past member of Company “A” 36^th Armored Infantry Regt., 3^rd Armored Division, having joined the Company on 29^th December in Belgium, two weeks after the Bulge began.  I was assigned to squad “32” which was the second rifle squad of the third platoon.  I was very fortunate, making it all the way to Dessau in late April, receiving only a small piece of panzerfaust shrapnel in my knee without lost time on the line.

Recently, I have been contacted by Bill Sarver Jr., whose father, Lt. Bill Sarver Sr., was killed April 5-6, 1945 while acting as a forward artillery observer with our company.  He was a member of the 67^th Armored Artillery Battalion, having relieved Lt. Hart who had been wounded but was to rejoin our company upon the death of Lt. Sarver.  Being the first scout I had worked with both FOs, more especially Lt. Sarver in the terrible battle of Paderborn where our company “A” suffered nineteen casualties, five of whom were KIA.

Lt. Sarver was killed by small arms fire during a night attack by Co A on a German roadblock just east of Paderborn.  In reading the April 6th morning report there is mention of an enlisted man, Cardeana, whom I am guessing was Lt. Sarver’s radio man.  I am attempting to locate Cardeana, if in fact he is still living, to get a better report on Lt. Sarver’s death, which his family is earnestly seeking. I am hoping that by publishing this inquiry in the next THE BULGE BUGLE someone may step forth that has knowledge of Cardeana or can shed more light on Lt. Sarver’s activities upon his joining the 67^th.  His family would certainly appreciate any information we might be able to relate to them about their father and grandfather, Lt. Bill Sarver.

Thanks for your assistance.

Buck Marsh
bmarsh@whiteconst.com

Dedication program

submitted by John McAuliffe, 87th Infantry Division

Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame

Read the following articles
article 1
article 2
article 3

104th Vets together again

I was contacted last week by a guy I went through the war with and haven’t seen in the 61 years since. His son, who works in Washington, found my name in the course of some of his research and recognized the104th Inf. as being his Dad’s outfit. He checked with his father, who said he knew me, and mailed him the info. It included the fact I was President of the VBOB Chapter in Eustis, FL. so he addressed a letter to that location.

I haven’t missed a VBOB meeting in five years, until our Aug meeting, due to having two teeth extracted the day before. Our treasurer phoned me after the meeting and told me I had a letter there (at the VFW Post) from a “Ralph Rogers.” My old army buddy is the only one I know with that name. I told him to read it to me. It began: “You have got to be the Harry Kirby I served with.” I immediately phoned Ralph and we wasted no time arranging a meeting.

I phoned another of our guys who lives in the area, Al Teller, and invited him to a reunion lunch today at my house in Ocala,FL. We all played in the 104th Infantry Regimental Band, 26th Infantry (“Yankee”) Division. I know the TOO doesn’t provide for a Regimental Band . . . but we had one (CP Security in combat)! Al Teller was the band director, I played a trumpet and Rogers was our bass drummer.

Needless to say it was a great time, and I think our wives enjoyed it as much as we did. So over chicken crepes and wine, we shared photos and rehashed old times for about three hours. There will be more get togethers now that we have made contact.

Harry Kirby

Source: The “Yankee” Division in World War II