>>Some of you Soldiers will remember my Father, Lou Walsh - the Commanding Colonel who activated and molded the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, starting on 15 April 1943. 

 

History was not always kind to Dad...years later he joked that he was the first and youngest Full Colonel in his class at West Point, and he was also the first in his class to be bumped down a notch from Full Bird...all this revolving around an issue where Dad one day stood up for his troops to a General...a fella who was a class ahead of Dad at the Point, and not one of his fans or strong supporters (throughout life people either loved or hated Dad - sometimes both at once). 

 

Those of you who were there at the time can feel free to correct any of my details, but as I heard and remember the story it goes that the 517th had just come off two day maneuvers.  The men were all tired and dirty when this General showed up and ordered my Dad to prepare for a white glove inspection.  Dad, using his...ummmmm - unparalleled less than quiet and calm demeanor, promptly instructed his superior officer as to which orifice he could stick his head up for a better view - or something to the effect.  Not surprising, Dad was relieved of command and this shortly before the 517th was to leave for Europe, under the supervision of Colonel Rupert Graves.  Now to every action there is an opposite (and sometimes positive) reaction.  In my Dad's case the positive reaction was the immediate expression of undivided love and respect from his men which was to help carry Dad throughout his life over the next fifty-some years.  Some of those friendships proved to be active until the day of Dad's passing.  In particular I think of some of the fellow officers my Dad cherry picked to form up the 517th...like with Dick Seitz and John Lissner.

 

I'm getting to my point here...I just wanted to establish the characters and the stage for what I say next.  Between wars my Dad decided to have a family.  First was my Sister, Gail, who was some 18 years older than me.  Next was another Daughter, Sandra, who died at birth, and finally to cap it off I was born into the Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

 

Both my Father, who retired from the Army in 1966 as Major General L.A. Walsh (I am the L.A.W.) Jr., and my Mom, Louise Anthony Walsh, passed on back in the mid to late 1980s.  It is now with great sadness that I am here to report the death of my Sister, Gail, last Saturday 5 February 2005.

 

Gail, who would have been 70 in June, apparently had a sudden massive heart attack and died immediately in her home in Bethesda, Maryland.  Gail will be cremated, and probably buried with her parents at Arlington Cemetery (yet to be confirmed), as per her wishes.  She is survived by her Son, Jeff Tayler, who is a free lance writer living in Moscow with his Russian Wife, Tanya.  Also by her Daughter, Suci Tayler, who works in retail and lives in Washington, DC, her former Husband, C. William Tayler, retired attorney living in Washington, D.C., and her Brother Trooper (Louis A. III) Walsh, a retired biologist, living with his Wife, Ann, and two son's, John and Sam, of Arlington, Virginia.

 

A memorial service will be held for Gail on Saturday 12 February 2005 at 11:00AM at

DeVol's Funeral Home 

2222 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20007

Tel: 202.333.6680

 

There is free valet parking across the street from DeVols.  In lieu of flowers the family asks those interested to make a donation in Gail's name to the Humane Society of America.

 

After the service there will likely be an informal gathering of friends and family at an area restaurant, yet to be announced where.  Also, for the benefit of Gail's Son, Jeff, who will not be able to make the 12 February service, we will hold a grave site service for family, possibly in early March 2005.

 

My Sister and I have been avid readers of 517th web site for years, and once in a while we have been known to contribute a post.  Since our parents died this site has been a special home to us, and especially so for Gail, because of the men and families of the 517th who keep the life force and memories going.  For this I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you.  There is no other outfit like the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment.  I only wish my Dad had lived to enjoy and partake in this web site.

 

Thanks for taking the time to hear me out today.  If anyone has any thoughts or questions to express about Gail and the service - please do not hesitate to contact me...!...TW<<

Trooper Walsh / Managing Director / ZooGenesis, LLC
2393 North Edgewood Street
Arlington, VA 22207 USA
Tel:703.528.8562 / Cell:703.346.4432
Fax:703.528.4971 / TWALSH@juno.com