It's no different is it? Welcome to Nazi Germany. Those who acquiesce are just as guilty as those who perpetrate harm against another. Shame on all!

MARION;; I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO WRITE SOMETING THAT CAME OUT IN OUR PAPER TODAY, QUOTE,

(WW II CARPET BOMBING OF DRESDEN GERMANY BY ALLIED FORCES. MORE PEOPLE DIED IN THIS EVENT THAN WERE LOST IN THE HIROSHIMA A-BOMB BLAST. SO MUCH FOR AVOIDING UNNECESSARY CASUALTIES.) unquote. Marion I never heard of this, have you or maybe someone else. I SURE DIDN'T KNOW THIS. ROCKY

Heres a couple of pics of just a taste of the beginning my collection...

This is the U.S. 91st Engineering Battalion's original 1933 battalion flag...

This battalion was sent to Australia in mid-1942 I believe and, was busy building roads and airfields for the U.S. Army Air Corps. to use in Australia. The U.S. 96th Engineers were dissolved into the 91st which retained its original designation as the U.S. 91st Engineering Battalion. Of all the engineering battalion's in Australia, only eight were colored and with the 96th being dissolved into the 91st this left only seven. This flag belongs to one of only seven colored engineering battalions that were in the PTO.

The 91st went on to do further construction in and around Port Moresby and in the Philippines shortly after the invasion there in 1944.

I found it hanging on a wall by a piece of rope in an antique shop and, I bought it for $55.00...

This is a guidon I saved from a vendor at a flea market here in my hometown of Savannah, Georgia who had it tacked up on a wall...yes, you heard right... it was wrongfully tacked up on a wall.

I was told by the guy I bought it from(who is reputable dealer) that he bought it in Eastman, Georgia U.S.A. from an elderly lady who owned an antique shop in Eastman and her late husband who had served in WWI had brought it home with him.

So, with that being stated it could be as early as WWI or it could just be WWII. It is made of Dark Blue Wool Bunting(one piece) and it has the letters and the numbers embroidered into it, on both sides.

It belonged to a Georgia National Guard unit from Georgia up around the Macon area which would confirm the WWI history to this guidon.

The unit:

1st Battalion, Charlie Company

U.S. 121st Infantry Regiment

(WWI): U.S. 31st Infantry Division(Old Dixie Division)

(WWII): U.S. 8th Infantry Division(Golden Arrow Division)

I bought this guidon for $50.00...

I hope you enjoy this small taste of my WWII collection...

Kind Regards,

MARNE

This post is in remembrance of my dear friend Paul, who would have been 82 this week. He used to email me all the time, and I really miss all his emails and posts. When I saw the reminder for his birthday, I sat down and cried. Can't believe he is actually gone.

Paul you are not forgotten and will always have a special place in my heart. I'm glad we got to be friends.

I received the following email the other day in regards to a song found on our music site. We wound up corresponding and the story turned into a touching love story and a soldier's gift to his wife. Printed here with permission from Jeff.

=================

Where did you get the recording of Horace Heidt and the song "Goodbye Dear, I'll be Back in a Year"?

I've been looking for a copy and have been unable to find one. Jeff

+++++++++++++++++

Sorry for the delay, it's been an absolutely crazy, busy month. I had to move my main site and forum over to a new server (yikes), and then we are getting ready to gut and remodel three rooms in our house including the bath and kitchen. BIG JOB. So I am a bit behind in my correspondence...

The song can be found on a CD called, The Music of WWII - Volume 1. It's produced by a little company called, Quality Audio. It was a gift from my friend in Alaska. There is an address on the CD if that will help. I will write to her and ask here where she got it too in the interim.

Quality Audio

PO Box 2600 Plattsburg, NY 12901-0229

PO Box 361 Victoria Station, Westmount, Quebec, Canada H3Z 2V8

Thanks for writing and for your patience,

Marion

++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks for the response. I've done a bit of Googling this morning and am unable to find either the CD or the company. Any additional information you or your friend can provide as to where I might buy a copy would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

Jeff

+++++++++++++++++++++

In the interim I wrote to Nancy and wrote back to Jeff again a couple of times...

+++++++++++++++++++++

I would very much appreciate it if you could make me a copy. I'm on orders for Iraq and want to make a CD of songs for my wife before I leave; I want to start it with "Goodbye Dear."

Either an actual CD or an e-mailed file would be great.

Obviously you've got my e-mail address if e-mailing the file works for you. Or my office address is: (left off for privacy)

Thanks for your help.

Jeff

+++++++++++++++++++++

Jeff:

I got your email tonight as we (my husband, one of our very best friends' Michelle, and her two kids) were sitting around the dining room table. I have to say that your email struck a wonderful chord with all of us. We were so very touched by your story and your romantic notion. Michelle wanted me to play the song for her, so I did. We all listened to the words, and must admit, we got a bit misty-eyed. Her little daughters who are 6 and 8, wanted to hear the song again, and began to sing it. It was really very sweet.

Anyway, I wanted to write as soon as I could and let you know that I will be sending the song to you within the next couple of days. There is NO charge. My hubby and I were so touched by your sentiment, that we both agreed that we would not only send you the song, but the whole collection FREE OF CHARGE.

When are you deploying? We send our best to you, and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

With warmest regards,

Marion

++++++++++++++++++++++

Marion,

Thanks for the file - it plays like a charm. As I said, I plan to copy it to a CD of music for my wife.

I retired from the Army in 2000 and have been recalled effective late May. I was a tanker by trade, but am going to FT Bragg to train for Civil Affairs missions (working with the Iraqis on various construction/re-construction projects). I expect to go wheels-up for Iraq early this fall and will be there for a year. After that we shall see what the Army has in mind.

Thanks again,

Jeff

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Jeff the best to you on your re-deployment. May God keep you safe from harm. Please keep us posted. Every time I hear that song in the future, I will always think of your and your dear wife.

Happy Easter to All and if yours ain't there I don't know it!!

Joyeuses Pâques à tous (French)

Fröhliche Ostern zu allen(German)

Pascua feliz a todos(Spanish)

Pasqua felice a tutti(Italian)

Ευτυχές Πάσχα σε όλοι(Greek)

Easter feliz a tudo(Portuguese)

Счастливый easter к всем(Russian)

Sgtleo