OK Guys,

I"m running out of gas! I just went through the list of stories I have posted and I find I have already posted just about all the good WWII stories worth posting.

Any suggestions on a subject I might know about would be welcomed! As you probably know, I participated in 6 WWII Campaigns, from Anzio to Berchtesgaden, plus 6 months of German occupation duty, all with the 7th Inf. Reg't, 3rd Inf Div.

I like this Forum and any suggestions on subject will be welcomed.

Russ Cloer

When I visited with Bill Vanderwall, he let me take his copies of the following guides from the ETO:

• Pocket Guide to Germany
• Soldier's Guide to Italy
• Soldier's Guide to Sicily
• North Africa - For All Members of United States Expeditionary Forces

Bill Vanderwall had recently given me a name of another member of the 540th, my dad's unit. So in July I sent Dale and his wife the Summer Newsletter along with some other info.

Sadly today I received a card from his wife saying that Dale had passed away on July 4, 2005. Oh how sad. To think that I was too late and never got to talk with him.

Betty said she read all the material and thanked me for keeping them informed and for all the time and effort that I've been putting into this project.

Received this letter from Jack Reissman, a Korean vet. I am looking forward to hearing from him and his buddies on our forum. Jack, a warm welcome to you. Feel free to jump in and tell us all about yourself. Papa Art, thanks for introducing us.

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Hello Marion,

This is me standing in the foreground of the steel trestle bridge the 430th built over the Soyang river South of the town of Inje. 1951-52. (see photo below)

I am glad to hear that I have been accepted to your Website.

I have been e-mailin Art Morneweck for sometime and he suggested that I join your website, since I was an Engineer in Korea during the war. (1951-1952)

I really thought I "blew" it when I sent a summary of the 430th Engineers activities while I was with them I didn't see a "Submit" icon and suddenly, I couldn't find my e-mail and thought it was lost somewhere.

Glad that you must have recieved it as I worked hard to remember what I was going to relate.

I said that I have quite a few pictures and was wondering if you might be interested in seeing some of them?

I have been in touch, by e-mail, with a number of my old 430th Engineers and have had so much fun relateing our experiences with each other. Here is pix of me and the Operations jeep I drove. (see photo below)

Don't know if any of the Korean War Engineers know of your website but it would be nice is any of them could tell their stories too.

I e-mail a guy who was in the 439th Engineers, one of the Battalions that were a part of the 32nd Group. He wrote a "book" about the 439th experiences in Korea and it is really nice reading.

If you would care to see more of my pictures, they are yours for the asking.

Thank you for responding to my application to your website.

A Wartime Engineer who spent a year in Korea,

Jack Reissman Pittsburgh, Pa.

Attached Files

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Jun. 23, 2005 12:00 AM

Letter from an irritated citizen.

"Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show?

Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass

over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune!

Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress

the cashiers at Mervyns' early-bird special?

Any response would be appreciated."

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The following response was sent from the Commander of the 63rd Fighter Squadron.

The reply is a testament to the professionalism and heroism of our men in the armed services.

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On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron

at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt Jeremy Fresques.

Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq

on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the

loss of a husband, son and friend.

Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise,

I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents

of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the president of the United States

and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense

of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the

letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, "Whom do we thank for the morning air show?"

The 56th Fighter Wing will call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents

of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most

honorable formation of their lives.

Lt. Col. Scott Pleus

CO 63rd Fighter Squadron

Luke Air Force Base