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
"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!
Elements of the mighty Eagle Division have once again deployed to the Middle East.
4th BCT has attended JRTC at Ft Polk and overseas deployment is imminent. Their new proactive mission will
hopefully allow them to hunt down and destroy the Taliban in their isolated sanctuaries. May God go with
these Brave Eagles as they struggle to bring stability to Afghanistan. A grateful nation thanks those who
risk all, to preserve and protect our way of life.
Article for July-August, 2010
"101st Airborne spoken here..."
Trigger Time Website is Ten Years Old!
Did you know this website made its debut in August of the year 2000?
Since then almost 2 million visits have registered on the hits counter. My son Chris, who
designed and created the site was only 16 years old then. Now he has a Masters degree and
is a working psychologist in Orlando, FL.
Over the past decade, some TT fans have become disgruntled and left but others remain loyal and
still tune-in to the TT forum daily and attend the annual conventions. The webmaster would like
to express appreciation for the loyal few who have stayed the course and stood behind my work
through the years, in spite of the many disputes and erruptions on the forum. I'll admit, there
have been times when I considered shutting down the msg board and even the entire site. At this
time, there is no way of predicting how much longer Trigger Time will be online.
New Documentary Video 'Mother of Normandy'
The wife of the mayor of St Mere Eglise, France, Mdme Simone Renaud, took it upon herself to tend the graves of fallen
American servicemen who were buried in the two VIIth Corps cemeteries at her town and the Blosville cemetery. She
placed flowers on the graves and when scores of next of kin family members contacted her, she wrote them poems and
letters and included some earth from the gravesite or flower petals in the envelopes. She wrote to families all over America.
This gave some tangible closure to countless families and this remarkable woman did this until she died in 1988. She wrote
and answered probably thousands of letters and organized veteran return ceremonies, etc. This recent documentary records
the deeds of this remarkable woman and any student of the Normandy fighting needs to watch it. Mrs Renaud was a true friend
to America and she voluntarily did this duty, because she was so moved by the sacrifices of the soldiers who came thousands
of miles, to liberate her country. I found this to be a very touching and emotional viewing experience.
Thanks to T.C. for getting a copy of this to me.
This ACME press photo appeared in LIFE Magazine and brought attention to the
activities of Mdme Renaud. It was taken on 28 July, 1944, showing Mrs Renaud placing flowers at the grave of General
Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy Roosevelt entered France as Assistant Divisional Commander of the 4th ID. He died near Meautis,
France on the night before he was supposed to assume command of an entire division (the 90th Inf Div).
You can find info on how to order this documentary here: http://www.motherofnormandy.com/
Another Road Trip for the Webmaster
On Monday, July 5, 2010, the webmaster hit the road again, visiting WWII paratrooper Richard Potter, 3rd plt G/501 PIR
near Hillsdale, MI. Richard had many forbidden tales about his numerous romantic encounters during WWII. His 'dangerous
liaisons' with the opposite sex were more extensive that those of the average soldier. I had to get those stories for
posterity. Some of them will appear in 'Avenging Eagles II'.
Here's what Richard looks like now-he became my 1,014th WWII 101st Airborne interview.
After a nice visit with Richard and his wife Dorothy, I drove down to Mishawaka, Indiana, where I spent the night.
Then, on Tuesday morning, I continued on to Joliet, IL, to see the famed 101st collection of Paul Adamic.
This shows Paul Adamic with the webmaster, posing on either side of Paul's
Lieutenant Kyle Hatzinger (502) Iraq mannequin. Paul has many named WWII 101st uniforms, as well as an impressive number
of helmets, SSIs and uniforms from the modern 101st Airborne. He has devoted a lot of time, expense and artful talent to
displaying his collection to maximum effect.
Family of 2nd Armored MoH Recipient Hulon B. Whittington Visit Webmaster's Home
On July 21, 2010, I received a visit from seven relatives of the above-captioned MoH bearer, who is pictured on the
cover of my 3rd book, 'Breakout at Normandy-The 2nd Armored Division in the Land of the Dead', MBI Publishing, 1999.
Daughters Roxanne and Lisa live an hour south of me in northern OH, while Scott lives in Kansas. Roxanne is a EMT in
Toledo. Lisa's husband Gary is a WWII buff and he video recorded me talking about the 'Death Night' battles and showing
on modern maps where the actions took place.
I expect to see some of these friendly and helpful people in the future and perhaps some day will have the privilege of
touring them around the 2nd AD battle areas in France.
(page under construction-stay tuned for more, to come soon-MB)
New Paratrooper Helmets book by M. deTrez
Anyone interested in the above-captioned book can find an image of the cover as
well as ordering information here: http://www.101airborneww2.com/books.html
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 weeks, 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.
Photos of the offered item will be posted, along with descriptions as detailed and honest as I can make them.
LATEST AUCTION
Stay Tuned
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/
July, 2010-New 2011 ADT Calendar-ALREADY 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 3rd edition ADT calendar,which is incredibly already available. Rodney debuted the last
calendar at the TT#4 Convention in Philly in 2009. The webmaster was assigned the task of selling a batch to WW2 fans
and giving complimentary calendars to WW2 veterans. I anticipate more such activity in the coming year.
(page under construction)
Webmaster's New 7th book NOW IN PRINT
but NO MAIL ORDERS HERE
Here's the ad which Zenith Presss ran in the latest issue of WW2 Magazine.
There are various additional ordering options, including Amazon.com and visiting your local bookstore.
This collection of untold veteran stories and unpublished vintage photos is unsurpassed by other 101st books on the market.
If you haven't read it yet, stop messing around a get a copy. No better book exists on the subject. Period.
For readers who recognize quality when they see it.
See the BOOKS page for reader reviews of my 7th book.
Have you read AVENGING EAGLES yet?-
Price: $22- plus $3- Shipping
See the BOOKS page
http://www.101airborneww2.com/books.html
For ordering information on the webmaster's 6th book.
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.
Thanks for your interest in my books.
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 101st Related
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, and Erica, a vet tech
at the Detroit Zoo, recruited by Candace.
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, to be published in 2005.
These two History buffs reside in Minnesota. Ryan Baker (l) is a sales rep, history fan 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 Enemy 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, shows what Joe looks like today.
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", while Tony Coulter from south Philly is known as "Jiggers from
Philly", in tribute to his hero, the original Jiggers, Babe Heffron.
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'.
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'.
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 hosted the 2nd Annual TT Convention, in August, 2007.
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#4 in Philly and he
not only shares Mark Patterson's sense of humor, but seems to be equally outspoken, in expressing his mostly
Politically-Incorrect opinions. He is a lot of fun, especially after imbibing some Calvados.
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.
