Anne Eckert Valliere
Ben,
This is Anne Valliere, we met at the Parachute jump at the
Washington reunion - thank you so much for all your work. I just wanted to tell
you that my Uncle Carroll Eckert passed away on Sunday, August 12th at 11:20PM
in York, Pennsylvania and will be buried tomorrow, August 20th with graveside
rites performed by the York County Veterans Honor Guard at 11AM at the Mount
Rose Cemetery, 1502 Mt. Rose Avenue, York, Pennsylvania. Etzweiler Funeral Home,
1111 East Market Street, York is in charge of the arrangements. www.etzweiler.com
I can't tell you enough what the Reunion meant to him. I
believe, and his son, Scott believes that he stayed alive long enough to go to
the Reunion. You could see the happiness in his eyes when he attended the
Reunion, even though he had been in the hospital many times over the last few
months. He got to talk to the other veterans and reminisce the war
stories with them.
He was so excited that I found that he was mentioned in
the book "Paratroopers' Odyssey" on the top of page 80, not by name, but by
actions, like so, "One man who had been given up for dead crawled back after
dark". Uncle Carroll crawled back after making out he was dead, so the Germans
wouldn't finish him off. He crawled back after dark like they said - about 3
miles with wounds to his leg and shoulder. I believe he told me that he was
given 8 pints of blood.
He also told me that he was shot and as he was falling to
the ground, behind him he saw Lieutenant Ridler get shot in the head.
Uncle Carroll said that he should have been gone then, so he was lucky to be
alive today. He told me that he never saw so much fire power.
I just want to thank you personally and everyone that he
talked to on that day at the Reunion - you all made him feel so good and he was
so happy that everyone remembered what the guys had done in World War
II.
Thanks again,
His niece,
Anne Eckert Valliere
Barre, Vermont
Steve Gomez
Thanks Ben! My job had me in New York for a few
weeks and I could "view" my emails but my provider is not very generous with
their hard drive space. Grrrrr.
I would like to contact Chris Lindner about the
next reunion in St. Louis. Would you happen to have her contact
info?
Thanks again!
Steve
Jim Royer
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.
"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform. "Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not. "I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others."
This Bill was passed July 25, 2007. Let your veteran friends know about the Passage of this Bill.
Pat Seitz and Allan Greer
Dear Ben: You are Mr. "Can Do & Where there's a
will there is a way." Thanks for keeping the Mail Call going.
Perhaps it reflects my lack of computer savvy, but it looks to me as
if you are doing quite well even if if is your third computer. All
the best. Pat and Alan
Dick Seitz
Ben, reference the
question from Lorry Curtis concerning the movement of the 517th up the coast
of Italy. Both the LCI and LST were used. 517th all the way! Dick Seitz
Bob Dalrymple
Ben: We used LSTs from Naples, not LCIs . Bob Dalrymple,
596th.
Steve MarkleBen thanks for keeping this going... If you are still on
vacation I hope that you are having a great time.
In regard to John Celecz... I recognized the name as being a
member of the 596 and sent a personal note off to his grand-daughter. To be fair
though, perhaps the irony with the gun may have been how he died and not any
political feelings of the writer. I don't think we should read any more into
it.
Maybe Don Saunders or other members of the 596 can chime in
with memories of John to send off an e-mail do his grand-daughter. She was
obviously interested.
It amazes me that my dad (and obviously many others) went
through what they did and still maintained what would be perfectly normal and in
many cases extraordinary lives in the years that ensued. That is what
makes my dad, you, and all of these guys who participated in the war
so special.
It is also what makes the men in today's military so
special.
-Steve-