2:01 PM 6/30/2009
Eagle Talk
"The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance. Things go wrong when good men do nothing."
"The truth must be repeated again and again because error is constantly being preached around us. And not by isolated
individuals, but by the majority!"
Goethe-1828
"Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being."-
Khalil Gibran
"When you send young people into harm's way, they deserve a 'strategy' worthy of their sacrifices."
-John Kerry, October, 2009
Although I am not a fan of Mr. Kerry, his speechwriters occasionally come-up with a cogent remark.
EAGLE TALK
By Mark A. Bando
Bi-Monthly Voice of the website created by Mark A. Bando
REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11th!
For a brief time, we have the entire Eagle Division (minus the 159th), back at home.
Thanks to all who serve in the mighty US ARMY from all the regulars at Trigger Time. To the current
Screaming Eagles in particular-thanks for upholding the traditions of a great organization.
Hearts and minds in Hurriyah, Iraq, Lt Kyle Hatzinger
of the Black Hearts Brigade with Mariam. At the end of the day, this is what it's all about.
Article for January-February, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2012
December, 2011 Presentation at Bishop Foley High School
As reported late last year, Donald R. Burgett made a historical
speech with the webmaster and two members of the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team. The audience was the student
body of Bishop Foley HS a Catholic school in Oakland Co., MI. The student shown at left was dressed in
a reinforced M42 jump suit and eventually suited-up in parachutes and gear as worn on D-day. Rodney
Roycroft put the equipment on the student as the webmaster explained what each item was to the students.
Don Stefani(above, center) is a former Detroit Police Officer, who worked with the webmaster at the DPD Tactical
Section in the 1980s. His daughter is a student at this school. Dan Cutting of the WWII ADT agreed to be
dressed as a Wehrmacht Infantry Hauptman and made a very realistic looking impression.
Don says the
presentation was so well-received by the students that they were still talking about it a week later.
Seeing the uniforms and weapons/equipment and hearing a actual D-day survivor talk about Normandy made that
period come to life for the students.
Mrs Eve Barnes Visits Webmaster's Museum
Mrs Eve Barnes, widow of the late Captain Henry Barnes of the 326th
Airborne Medical Company, had dinner at Famous Dave's with us in late December. She then came over to
the webmaster's home to see my Airborne collection, including a mannequin bearing her husband's Class 'A'
blouse. I first met Henry in 1971 and he passed away about 8 years ago. He escaped being captured with
most of the rest of his company at Bastogne, because he was assigned-out to the 502 PIR when the division
hospital was captured with its personnel at 'Crossroads X', west of Bastogne in December, 1944.
Eve is originally from Australia and she served in the CBI in WWII with the R.A.F.
In post war years,
Henry and Eve traveled the world together and they were regulars at the Lunch Bunch. Their friend Al Lelonek
of the 321st GFAB has been absent from the LB in recent months because sadly, his wife, a French war bride
has been seriously ill. Al's daughter married a guy from my old west Detroit neighborhood, who I met in the
6th Grade. I just learned this recently. This is another small world story, because the Leloneks lived in
the NE suburbs of Detroit.
SE Michigan Lunch Bunch Meeting January, 2012
Fred Bahlau of H, Sv Co. and C/506th PIR became a 1st Sgt
during the Normandy Campaign and served in that capacity in HQ Co 3/506th in Holland and Bastogne.
Near the end of WW2, he received a Battlefield Commission to 2nd Lt but he was always proudest of
his time as a 1st Sgt. Fred's Grandson Troy had an artist paint up a swivel bale steel pot with
Fred's name and pictures of his medals as well as the campaigns he fought-in. Fred proudly brought
the helmet to the January Lunch Bunch where we had a chance to look at it. See the TT Forum for
additional close-up photos of the helmet.
Finding a Father Who was Killed
on D-day-Amazing Story
Above is the set of religious medals that
caused a series of events to unfold. A British man who was fathered by a 506th paratrooper
in late 1943 will meet the sister of his deceased dad in the states this June. Sgt Robert Todd
of I Co. 506th PIR was killed when his C-47 crashed at Magneville, France on D-day.
You can read about the still evolving story here:
http://triggertimeforum.yuku.com/topic/9579/His-101st-dad-KIA-D-day-This-UK-lad-to-meet-American-Aunt
(page under construction-updates to come soon -26 January, 2012)
AVENGING EAGLES Still available here
Price: $22- plus $3- Shipping
Read reviews of this title at:
http://www.101airborneww2.com/books.html
Each month more and more titles on WWII get published and they crowd the shelves of bookstores. Sadly, the vast majority of
these titles offer nothing new in the way of stories or information. What many authors call "research" is no more than
reading a bunch of previously-published books on the same subject and taking eclectic passages from each, scrambling them
into a 'new' variation and calling it a book. Along with the previously-told stories, a lot of erroneous information also
gets repeated as well, which only serves to reinforce public myths and misconceptions.
'Avenging Eagles'covers new ground and there is no precedent for it in previously- published works. It is the result of
primary source research, i.e. veteran interviews, conducted over a period spanning almost four decades.
Read 'Avenging Eagles' and discover a lot of material that you won't get anywhere else, presented for the first and only
time in this book. Wade through the mountain of book- report books and discover something tailor-made for the discerning
reader.
Just say 'no' to the recycled pablum found in most available history tomes.
The stories in 'Avenging Eagles' range from outrageously funny to shocking or poignant.
This is a unique tribute to the
WWII warriors of the mighty Eagle Division.
Order 'Avenging Eagles' today and discover what you've been missing.
Send a check or money order for $25, payable to Mark A. Bando, to:
Eagles, PO Box 350, Walled Lake, MI 48390.
Update, July, 2011: Webmaster's 7th book now out
of print
Here's the ad for my biggest book, which Zenith Press ran in WW2 Magazine.
This book, released in September, 2007 was, I thought, the best book I ever produced...shows how little I know.
The book was eclipsed in sales by all the Band of Brothers fad exploitation books, which ignore the rest of the
101st Airborne Division, focusing on a company which comprised less than 2% of the total membership of the WWII
screaming eagles division.
But hey, what do I know?
My 4th book, '101st Airborne-The Screaming Eagles in Normandy'has been published in trade paperback and is now
available for under $20- at Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/101st-Airborne-Screaming-Eagles-Normandy/dp/0760339805
/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309821264&sr=1-3.
Thanks for your interest in my books.
WWII ADT Calendar for 2012 NOW AVAILABLE!
As you all know the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team exists to honor WWII
veterans by performing C-47 parachute jumps at reunions and air shows. Through prodigious work and effort, Rodney R.
Roycroft has compiled the 4th edition ADT calendar.
Orders can be placed online, at: www.WWIIADT.org
Update, September, 2011, Remaining stocks of the 2011 ADT calendar can now be purchased for $5- each from www.WWIIADT.org.
Bando's Garage Sale/Auction
Most of the items offered here, will be things I acquired from dealers, collectors, or veterans other than 101st ABD vets,
although occasionally I will offer pieces with 101st vet provenance and on rare occasions, will offer some bonafide
historical treasures. So the offerings will range from the mundane to the rare.
As you will see in coming months, among the items offered will be patches and other insignia (both US and German),
uniform components, printed matter such as vintage books(including original unit histories),original maps, orders, postcards,
photos, etc, modern books by the webmaster,including some now out of print,(signed by the author to the winning bidder), occasional
edged weapons, field gear, decorations (US and German), etc. There will be pieces of camo parachute canopy from chutes
actually used on the Normandy or Market-Garden drops, battlefield-dug items like spent cartridges, parachute harness buckles,
shrapnel, etc from 101st locations in Normandy, Holland or Bastogne and whatever else I dredge out of my boxes and
closets. I'm reaching an age where I need to start thinning-out all non essentials from my WWII holdings.
Photos of the offered item will be posted, along with descriptions as detailed and honest as I can make them.
LATEST AUCTION
The November ET Auction ended at midnight on 30 November, 2011. The M42 reinforced trousers sold for an
impressive 11.5 k while the M42 jacket and Air Corps jacket sold together, to a bidder in the Netherlands.
The 101st at Normandy book sold for $75- while the cricket brought a bid of $20-.
Stay tuned, a new auction will be posted for December soon. Thanks to all the buyers and bidders. MB
Another repro cricket of the same type will continue on to the next auction.
This is one of the early (1990s) French copies, which are NOT MARKED with the maker's
markings now required on all repros by French law. This is perfect for a reenactor who wants
the closest thing possible to an original. Even the expensive ones made by ACME are of a type
which never actually existed. Those are Brass, with the markings which were only used on nickel
silver versions. This one could be crudely punched thru off-center with a jump knife or nail,
and hung on a dogtag chain, for a authentic-looking reenactor impression.
Minimim bid $10-.
Send BIDS TO MY EMAIL ADDRESS: markbando@aol.com
Bids will be made in US dollars and the winning bidder pays postage & (if desired),insurance. I'm not set-up to receive
payments by Paypal or credit cards, so payments will be made by cash, check, or money order, sent to:
Mark Bando
PO Box 350
Walled Lake, MI 48390.
-Thanks, MB
Art Print of the Filthy 13
Those interested in purchasing this print can find ordering info here: http://www.victoryartgallery.com/
(page under construction)
JOIN THE BURGETT FAN CLUB
Update: -Don Burgett is pictured above right with MB, in September, 2005, in front of St Catharina's church,in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. After sending Don to Normandy in May of 05, the DBFC Members made it possible for Don to tour Holland and Belgium with a small group of 101st WW2 relatives and history fans. The trip was a success and Don called to tell me he enjoyed this one more than any of his previous return trips to Europe.
The Fan Club now has over 100 members. The DBFC continues, now on Don's own website.
To join, send a $25-(minimum)check, made out to Donald R. Burgett
All dues and requests for membership should be addressed to:
The Don Burgett Fan Club
4848 Vines Road
Howell, MI
48843-9513
The Historian's Mission: Get the Facts Straight
Webmaster's note: This story, as well as 'Solving Another Mystery', have moved to page 5 of the War Stories Section. MB
THE PHOTO GALLERY HAS MOVED TO PAGE 2 OF WAR STORIES
Gallery of Past Ms Trigger Times
It all began about 8 years ago, when a brave volunteer named Nadine Wierzbowski dressed-up in M42 pants, a sleeveless
WWII GI undershirt and wool knit jeep cap. The classic Ms TT pose has been back to camera, peeking back over the model's
shoulder. This was inspired by Betty Grable's iconic WWII cheesecake photo. Betty turned her back to the camera because
she was 6 months pregnant and 'showing', when her WWII vintage photo was made.
Nadine Wierzbowski-Field (l), daughter of the legendary Lt. Ed Wierzbowski
H/502 PIR, was the original and very first Ms Trigger Time.
Catherine van der Maas, Grand daughter of Barney Momcilovic
HQ/1 and C/501) is shown in the classic Ms TT pose.
I have long been a proponent that the daughters
(and later descendants) of WWII paratroopers have been exceptionally healthy and beautiful, coming as they do from a gene
pool of America's fittest and finest. The Ms Trigger Time feature has been a tribute to the beauty of daughters and
Grandaughters of US Airborne troopers. During months when genetic descendants have been unavailable, I have sometimes
substituted other American beauties, who get the title of 'Trigger Time Pinups', rather than Ms Trigger Time. Only
biological descendants of WWII 101st troopers qualify for the 'Ms Trigger Time' title and someday we may stage an
election to vote for the all-time favorite in that category.
In the near future, I may start a new feature here for
present day troops in the Sandbox- 'Ms TT Sandbox', with girls posing in ACUs and other accoutrements currently in wear
in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now I'll post cameos of some of the past Ms TT's (I can't locate pics of all the past girls). Only 3 have been
Daughters of WWII vets, while the rest are Grand daughters.
DAUGHTERS
Nadine, daughter
of Ed Wierzbowski, Jana, daughter of Lt. Ed Jansen C/501, and Roberta, daughter of Bob Tripp, I/502.
Grandaughters
Amy, Grandaughter of Don Burgett A/506th, Ashley, Great niece of Jack Sizemore B/506th,Heather, Grand-
daughter of Bob Beachy H/501 PIR.
Catherine, Grandaughter of Barney Momcilovic HQ/1 501, Keely, Grandaughter of Wayne Nearpass
C/506th PIR, Lauren, Grand-daughter of Guadalupe Flores HQ/1 501 PIR.
(Future MsTT), Mara, Grandaughter of Glen Derber HQ/2 501 PIR, Michelle, Grandaughter of Tex McMorries,
G/501 PIR, Tessa, Grandaughter of Lt. Bill Sefton HQ/2 501 PIR.
The amazing and vivacious Sagittarius parachute-jumper Kelly O'Connell is the
Great-Niece of Robert Lott, C/401 Glider Infantry. She graced the ET page as TT pinup in
the spring of 2010.
Misc. TT Pinups, not genetic 101st Relations
In a true spirit of volunteerism, other beauties have stepped-up to volunteer their services
as shown above. This sampling includes Gina Knapp, Nyssa Rabinowitz, Erica, a vet tech
at the Detroit Zoo (recruited by Candace), and Coyeatta Vogel, wife of active duty 506th soldier
Alan Vogel.
THE USUAL SUSPECTS-REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS TO THE TRIGGER TIME FORUM
Paul Adamic a.k.a. Kickoff Red (l) is a fireman in Joliet, IL and also a WW2 reenactor-his medical captain impression at Rockford, IL is pictured above. Paul is researching a book on Baker Co. of the 502nd PIR in WW2.
Emmanuel Allain (r) was born March 29, 1968 (Aries). He's
married, no children, and is a historian and collector of 502nd PIR in Normandy. Emmanuel (a.k.a. Manu) lives in Normandy
and is compiling a history of Company E of the 502 PIR-one of the 'other' Easy Companies of the 101st Airborne.
These two History buffs reside in Minnesota. Ryan Baker (l) is a sales rep, history fan, martial artist and distance
runner. He's a typical Aries robust, outdoors type, who has challenged Mt. Currahee on numerous occasions.
History teacher Kurt Barickman (r), does WW2 living history projects for his students in Albert Lea, MN, and is an avid
Airborne militaria collector. Kurt is a U.S. Navy veteran who lost a brother KIA with the USMC in Vietnam. He is also
a runner.
Because Frank Drebin complained about the previous photo of Kurt looking too 'mean', I've posted this kinder,
gentler pic, taken in Normandy, in 2004.
Mark Barber a.k.a. 'Smokejumper'writes:
"I work as an industrial maintenance supervisor at one of the worlds largest aluminum extruders/fabrcators- Hydro Aluminum. Love to fish as I live just a couple miles from the ocean and also deer hunt. As a family we love to visit historic places and camp. I read A LOT - exclusively military history".
Mark is shown above, with his son Chris- in a photo made at the WW2 Memorial.
Above right, is Spartanburg, S.C. TV newsman Tom Colones, who contributes more stories and photos to the forum than anyone else-even the webmaster. Tom served in the US Army several decades ago and now works for Channel 62. WASV, a UPN station.
Joe Beyrle II is a Vietnam War survivor of the 101st
Airborne, and an avid WW2 history buff. His dad is the Joe Beyrle of I/506th PIR, who is the subject of the book
'The Simple Sounds of Freedom', more recently re-published with the title:'Behind Hitler's Lines'. The photo of Joe at
left was taken in Vietnam in 1969, when Joe was a member of the 326th Airborne Engineer Bn.
The more recent photo at right, was taken at the 101st national reunion in August, 2010.
Barb and Mike Bigalke(r) are longtime friends of the webmaster. Mike is a retired mailman, and an avid Airborne collector
and history buff. Mike does many living history presentations at schools in his area of Northern Illinois. The Bigalkes
reside in Marengo, IL.
Known on the TT Forum as 'HeadyD506' Sgt David Brackett has completed his 3rd tour in Iraq. We are proud to have
an active duty senior noncom from the 101st Airborne as a regular participant on the TT forum. David has also done WWII
reenacting with both 509 PIB and D/506th PIR units, which is how Paul Adamic came to introduce him to me. On David's
last deployment, he was assigned to the 3rd Bridage Combat Team, 'The Rakassans'.
IAIN Bramwell (l) resides in Manchester, England, and is a WW2 history buff with main emphasis on the Airborne landings of the Normandy Invasion.
Robert 'Drew' Cook (r) is an avid Airborne History buff and a policeman in Cincinatti, OH. A long time Airborne History buff, Drew is a detail guy, who frequently corrects and informs the webmaster on various facts. Drew went to Normandy with me in 2000.
Paul Clifford (l) is a Vietnam Vet of the US Army, known on the forum as
"Cimmaron 44."
John DeNeef at upper left is a Dutch friend of the 101st, who resides in western Holland.
This battlefield archaeologist is a former member of the Triple A reenactment group and
posts on the TT forum under the screen name of 'John502'.
Frenk Derks van de Ven(rt)
is another Dutch Airborne friend and Corridor historian, known on the forum as 'JoeMann44'.
Gary Dettore Gjd321 on the forum, is the resident
expert on the 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion. Those who attended TT#1 in MI heard Gary speak about Col.
Carmichael, the Bn commander. Since 1996, Gary has interviewed every survivor he could locate from the 321st
and thus added a lot to our knowledge of that forgotten unit. He is compiling a unit history with personal
experience accounts. Gary is a retired Detroit Police Officer.
Kevin Distel lives and works in NYC. He is an avid history buff and musician, an occasional poster on the forum
and a frequent lurker. He has toured Normandy, Holland and Bastogne with the webmaster.
Chris Garcia lives in upstate NY; he's a
militaria collector and history buff, known on the Forum as "Abncollector". John Horn lives in the Camden
NJ area and is known on the forum as "Eagle Johnny". Both these guys are regulars on the TT forum, as well as
TT convention attendees.
Raphael Giot lives in Givry, Belgium, west of Champs (NW of Bastogne) and is a Forum regular who posts under the screen name of 'Giopolis'. I had fun touring the Bastogne perimeter seeking 'Then & Now locations with Giopolis and Laurent Olivier in early October, 2007.
Anthony Ilnicki is a member of the F/501 reenactment group in Belgium-he is better known to Forum regulars under his screen name of 'Snoup Dog'.
Captain Kyle Hatzinger served as
a platoon leader in Iraq (2008) with 1st Bn 502nd IN. A USMA graduate of 2006,
Kyle's brother also attended West Point and both are on active duty. Kyle
started reenacting the 509th PIB as a teenager in his hometown of Rockford, IL.
He is currently in TX with his new outfit, a part of the famous 1st Cavalry
Division. His name on the TT forum is 'GI Kyle'.
Lynn Kessler has been a forum regular for several years now. As you can see from the photo, he is into 101st reenacting and he also does the 7th Bn. of the Black Watch at timelines, parades and tacticals.
He paints military miniatures and customizes and collects 1/6th scale figures. He is a Pisces Goat and his job description: sales support for Konica Minolta Business Solutions (copier manufacturer).
He also wrote and published "Never In Doubt --Remembering Iwo Jima" in 1999, through Naval Institute Press
Craig McAvoy (l) is a resident of the U.K.and a Scot, who is a descendant of the legendary Lt. Joe McGregor (E/501) who was KIA at Recogne, Belgium, during the battle of Bastogne. This 2002 photo was taken at the Wings of Liberation Museum near Best, Holland. Craig appears with his kids, Steven(6), & Jennifer (2).The kids seemed to enjoy the museum exhibits, but Craig suspects that they might have liked the ice cream more than anything.
Ann Durnin McKendry lives on Long Island and is a physical therapist. She has also been designated as my symbolic sister by her mom, Pegg Mero-Durnin, whose brother T/4 Joseph Mero was KIA in WW2, as a member of HQ/2 501 PIR. Pegg has become my surrogate 'udder mudder'and Ann has become a regular 501st reunion guest and occasional poster on the TT forum.
Brandon McMorries is a Grandson of the legendary 501st machine-gunner Melton"Tex"McMorries. He lives and works in the Midland, TX area and has toured Holland and Belgium with the webmaster.
Stephane Molitor is another European history fan, known to forum regulars by his
screen name of 'KELSO'.
Laurent Olivier (L) has been a career officer in the Belgian Navy for almost two decades. Maybe he will move to the USA
after he retires?
Laurent was the sparkplug who organized the 1st European TT Convention and he is a major booster
of the webmaster's books and the TT website in continental Europe.
Stan Ortman is a financial analyst in the Kokomo,
IN area, an occasional poster and frequent lurker on the forum. He is an avid WW2 history buff and has also toured Belgium
and the Netherlands with the webmaster twice.
Mark Patterson (l) is known to Forum visitors as 'Sparkyasundevil',which derives from his being a big Arizona state fan. Mark lives in Chandler Arizona with his wife Sandy and two teenaged kids: Whitney and Ryan. Mark collects both British and U.S. Airborne- related items, focusing more on the U.S. stuff. He's also heavily involved in Scottish Highland Games, with Whitney being an accomplished dancer.
The Patterson's originally hail from Northern Ireland.
Mark's family has a long history of military service, (his father served with The Irish Guards and later the SAS). His
cousin was with the British Para's during the Falkland Islands operation. Mark served in the 82nd Airborne and sustained
significant jump injuries. He is a typically outspoken (read blunt) Leo.
More recently, Mark P. has become well-known
for designing and making the memorial stained glass window which now graces the famous French church with bloody pews from
D-day wounded at Angoville au Plein in Normandy. He has also started his own tour guide service (Pathfinder Tours). for
Normandy battle areas.
James Parker is a Reb Airborne collector from Tennessee. Wily but personable, he is an eagle
patch addict and has compiled an impressive collection of WWII vintage insignia. James has become a true CSI analyst of
WWII Airborne patches and uniforms.
Matt Pellet is a teenager from southern England, who idolizes Dick Winters but
who also has a healthy interest in the entire 101st Airborne's history in WWII. Tall and slender, Matt has a rather formal
type of British accent and his dark features are a clue to his ethnic ancestry, which is 1/4 Italian, 1/4 Greek and 1/2 English.
Matt joined us on the September 09 Pathfinder tour of the Netherlands and Bastogne. He is a very personable Leo Horse, who
posts on the TT Forum as 'JacquesWood1'.
Alwyn Onori from Vaxholm, Sweeden toured with us in 2009 in
Normandy. He is a serious student of the battles in Normandy and frequent lurker in the TT Forum.
The venerable Jake Powers resides in Grafton, MA and is a man of many talents and many occupations. He is the
master of the large deal, a long-time friend of the Easy 506th veterans, a surrogate son to Major R.D. Winters,
and a major supporter of the webmaster, Bando books, and the TT website.
Rich Riley above left, is a 40-ish Airborne history enthusiast,
who resides in the Cleveland, OH area. Rich's father was tragically KIA in the Vietnam War. Rich has interviewed most of
the WWII 101st veterans in northern Ohio and he has hosted two TT Conventions in No. Ohio in 2007 and 2010.
Rodney R. Roycroft is an Aquarius Ox and member of the WWII
Airborne Demonstration Team. A former Navy pilot who now flies commerical overseas jets for Delta Airlines, Rodney is
a fan of all WWII history, with a special interest in US Airborne operations in NW Europe.
Norman Sibbald is a Scotsman, living in the north of England. He is an avid WW2 history buff and has been lucky enough to visit
Normandy (his christian name is pure coincidence!) on many occasions. Norm's late father-in-law was an navigator in Halifax
bombers and flew on many missions during the war.
Bando's TT tour group met Norman for 1/2 day in France on 14 August,
2004. Norman did a research project-on site in 2005/06, re: the docks at Glasgow, Scotland, and he also gives historical
presentations re: Normandy to groups in the UK. He is a gentleman and a scholar.
Ralph Sporay (l) is a 31 year veteran of the US
Army and served time with SF as well as the 101st ABD. He is also a long-time collector of US Airborne insignia
and memorabilia. His name on the TT Forum is '101Combatvet'.
Rob Stark lives in Washington state and his forum
name 'Holeshotrob' is a biker term from his motorcyclist days. Rob showed-up in person for TT conventions in Philly
and Strongsville, OH. Rob is outspoken, in expressing his mostly Politically-Incorrect opinions. He is a lot of fun,
especially after imbibing Calvados, of which he has been known to consume generous amounts.
Mark Stephenson (l) has done a detailed and scholarly study of the Bizory-Foy Belgium areas northeast of Bastogne.
He has visited the area personally and the research continues. His frequent posts pertaining to that subject have been a
real asset to the forum. Mark lives 'out east' and is tall, athletic, and smart. He is also an extremely talented fine
artist, who can duplicate paintings of the old masters with oil paints.
Bob Talbert (r) is a younger brother of Floyd
'Tab' Talbert of E/506th PIR. Bob served as a paratrooper in the 11th ABD in Japan right after WW2 and later became
Executive Vice President of the National Electrical Contractors Association, in the Detroit area. Bob currently lives in
Dearborn, MI.
Jeff Thomas (l) is a lifelong Detroiter, who resides on the far west side,and shares an interest in WW2 history. As a typical
disgruntled employee of the City of Detroit, Jeff must endure many of the same indignities which I experienced during my
time working for inept political appointees, who place racial politics above all else.
Tom Timmermans is a great guy
who I met at the 1st European TT Convention. A Dutchie who conducts investigations into battle locations and artifacts, he
has a website called 'Battle Detective.com'and he also posts on the TT Forum as 'Battle Detective'.
Forum regular Eric van de Sande posts on the forum under the screen name "AT BEST". He is one of our Dutch Airborne friends, from the Corridor.
WW 2 history buff Rob Van der Pol above right, resides in Knotts Island, NC and is a regular contributor to the TT Forum. Rob posts a prodigious amount of photos and news, under the screen name of 'le Bigguns'.
This photo of him was made at TT Convention #2 in Strongsville, OH, August 07. Rob also attended the 1st European TT Convention with his wife, Kelly...nice people.
Terry Webb (l) a.k.a. Terry37, is a WW2 militaria collector and avid history buff, who resides in Murfreesboro, TN. Terry's dad was a career aviator in the USAF, which started Terry's interest in all things military.
Johan WILLAERT with his wife Kristien, shown with their (then) 3-year old daughter Ellen, in one of Belgium's theme parks. Johan lives at the Belgian coast, close to the battlefields of WW1, and he's a Senior NCO in the Belgian Armed Forces, having served for over 21 years in Belgium, Germany and other countries. He currently works as a PR-Officer for an Army NCO Training Center near the historic city of Bruges, Belgium. He started collecting WW2 US Army in the ETO militaria in 1976 and has a great interest in the D-Day actions, especially the ordeal of the 29th Infantry Division on Omaha Beach.
Nadine Wierzbowski-Field is our original TT pinup girl. Born a Gemini Ox in 1973, Nadine is the daughter of Ed Wierzbowski H/502, who was with Joe Mann when he performed a feat of heroism which resulted in a poshumous award of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Nadine is a world class forum lurker, who works as a RN in Orlando, FL.
Nadine is now married to a law enforcement officer named Geoff Field; they have a son and a daughter.
Mike Willis,
known as 'Slim Cricket' on the TT Forum, toured with us in Normandy in 2009. Mike certainly is 'Slim', standing about 6'4
and amazingly skinny. He speaks French,which proved to be a significant asset to our tour group. Mike is carrying-on his
dad's study of WW II history and I first met him at a Band of Brothers reunion. He studied in Europe 2008/09.
If more Forum regulars would care to email me a jpeg mugshot of themselves, I'll be happy to add their faces to this gallery of Trigger Time General Discussion celebrities. Regards to all, and thanks for your participation, MB.
Normandy Tour Services
The webmaster conducts battlefield tours in Normandy as part of Mark 'Sparky' Patterson's 'Pathfinder Tours'
group. I conduct four solid days of tours to 101st Airborne battle locations and describe the actions
which transpired there. Lots of locations, names, units, stories, etc, which you can't get anywhere else.
You can read more details here:
http://www.pathfindertour.com/BandoNormandyTours.html
I have received an updated DVD of 'The Americans on D-Day' and watched it recently. The portions with Mr. Manoian
have been deleted and replaced by interviews cuts with other veterans. This is a useful tool
for schools and a different approach to informing audiences about the basics of what happened on D-day. There is one graphic
illustration that shows a C-47 approaching the Cotentin from the wrong direction and I can't fathom how Forrest Guth's name
could be mis-pronounced as (short 'u') Guth, rhyming with rough or guff. Other than that, I found it to be an enjoyable
presentation.
You can find ordering info for this DVD here: http://www.theamericansondday.com/welcome-to-our-online-store.html
Cal KATO-Webmaster's Cousin
Above you can see photos of my 1st cousin, Calvin Kato, taken at Basic Training 1969, and after AIT school 1970. Calvin is the oldest son of my dad's youngest sister. He gave-up trying to get people to pronounce his name properly a long time ago. It is properly pronounced Kah-toe, but everyone prefers to call him KAY-toe like the Green Hornet's partner.
Calvin served briefly with the Second Armored Division at Ft Hood, TX, then was sent to Nam as an infantry replacement (he was not a jumper), and was assigned to Company 'C' 2/506th, 101st Airborne. He arrived there soon after the costly Ripcord battle and spent enough time in the field to get the C.I.B. He was then re-assigned at Camp Evans
where he served the rest of his year in-country as a mail clerk
for 2/506th. During his time in the jungle, he acquired dysentery, pneumonia and jungle rot.
So Calvin served in both of the divisions I have written books about. Some guys were born to live history and others only to write about it. Calvin (an 11 June Gemini) and his Gemini wife Shelly, reside in southern California. Calvin is now a broker of lawnmower parts. His dad invented and patented one of the earliest power mowers, back in the 1950s.
Update: 2009: Here's a shot taken in August, 2009, showing my cousin Cal Kato with me. He traveled all the way from
San Juan Capistrano, CA, to be at Ft Campbell for the Week of the Eagles.
Wallace Tao-Another CousinWally was the oldest son of my mother's brother. He served as a paratrooper with the 503rd Infantry in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Nam in 1966. Wally's dad was in the Army Corps of Engineeers in WW2 and his brother Marlin was a Major and an Army dentist for 20 years. Wally was very seriously wounded in action in the Iron Triangle, in '66. An article was written about him in the VFW Magazine, describing how a mortar fragment had severed a ventricle of his heart. His survival was a modern medical miracle, made possible by medivac procedures and immediate surgery. In any previous war in history, Wally would've been a dead man.
Wally told Marlin after he returned from Nam, that his entire patrol was ambushed and wiped-out and that he was possibly the only survivor. When American medics surveyed the ambush site, they looked at Wally and thought he was just another 'Gook', and walked past him. He did some colorful American swearing to get their attention, so they returned and loaded him onto a helicopter and sent him for medical attention.
Wally died in 2004, a victim of lung cancer at age 59. Above, you can also see the photo of him that was in VFW Magazine.
So the webmaster had two cousins who saw combat with Airborne units. I do not believe that their accomplishments enhance my credibility in any way, but I sure am proud of them. Both of them are/were better men than I, and they served in an unpopular war, in which they looked like the enemy and the vast majority of their brothers in arms did not.
