4 chaplains' deeds in '43 still inspire

It’s been called many things and expressed in many ways, things like the quick, the core, the meat, the bottom line, the reason, the rationale, the purpose-or simply put: What’s it all about?

You can be sure that this was not the main consideration on the day I came to fully realize what World War II, what America was and is all about. And sixty years later nothing has really changed.

I recall that it was the fall of 1945 and several thousand of us returning soldiers, fresh from the trans-Atlantic journey and the landing at Hampton Roads, Virginia were jammed into old wooden passenger cars on a train headed for Indiantown Gap, Pa. and final discharge from our duration and six war mobilization. We were jubilant, loud, elated. We were anticipating and bragging and planning our homecoming when suddenly, like a lightning bolt, like a flash of electricity, something shushed the crowd. I looked up to find out what happened and saw that everyone was crowded to one side of the car, straining to see the passing landscape. Me too! And there it was, the graphic answer to the question we were not even asking--- Like a Norman Rockwell cover for the Saturday Evening Post, like Americana on canvass, was a sandlot softball game Kids teamed against kids. Kids playing and running and batting and hooting and hollering. There was the ump, the stray dog; there were the doting parents, the water bucket and the collection hat. It struck us simultaneously!! We had not seen kids play in months, even years. Europe’s children had been frightened, some starved and scared and hidden from the Italians, the Germans, the Russians, and yes the English and the Americans and soldiers and war in general. Here in America our kids could and were playing! There were homes and schools and churches and clubs and scouts and life was good; the future bright! Remember this was long before 9-11 and the World Trade Center trauma. We went overseas to keep the war from our shores. We went there so it wouldn’t happen here.

History has since repeated itself. Troops have crossed oceans and waged war in Asia and again in Europe and in Afghanistan and the Middle East. At this writing we are at war against terrorists. Battle lines aren’t clearly defined today. Goals and missions are less distinct. But when someone thanks me for World War II service or questions what it was like and what it was worth, my thoughts immediately fly to that sandlot softball scene along the railroad tracks. Men and women mobilize for war so that kids can play, that’s the American way!

Russell Weiskircher

I will be posting this on his page later tonight. Ain't this what it's all about folks?

I posted a thread several days ago regarding the letter I got from Alice and Paul Knudson (39th Combat Eng). Well Alice was kind enough to give my name, number, etc. to some of the remaining guys from the unit and I got to speak with a gentleman today named David Wagner.

He is going to send me a history of the 39th and it is approximately 45 pages long. Won't that be a fine addition to my collection? I can't wait. He is also sending me a personal story regarding Anzio.

As soon as I get them I of course will work full-tilt boogy to get them uploaded to the site so I can share them with all of you.

David told me that there are only about nine of them left and that is why I've had such a hard time getting in touch with anyone from the 39th CE. They are having their last reunion this fall in Missouri over the Labor Day weekend and invited me down. I don't know if I will be able to make it that weekend, but I sure appreciate the invite and will see what I can do.

Stay tuned. The hits just keep on comin'...

Yes, maybe you don't know much about, it but there is several informations and words frm USAF Vets. http://www.pray4pows.org/usa/serbia/500_re...ed_in_wwii.html

If any of you have read Memories of Al Kincer - 48th Combat Engineer, then you know he has contributed many great things to this site and I am forever grateful to him for this.

Well, yesterday I found this post in our Guestbook.

I really enjoyed your site. It is the first viewed in my search for my grandfathers history in the service. I am currently enlisted in the AF and am looking to further my knowledge of him in the armed forced. I respect the nobility of all men willing to fight for their beloved country. Thanks again.

Josh happens to be the grandson of the friend and fellow combat engineer that Al wrote a great eulogy for. That eulogy is included on his page. Josh happened to be searching the web and came upon this site. Isn't that great? Another example of the Internet bringing us all together.