We've done it. I got in touch with the family of Joe Ropel. This is SO exciting!!! Here's the scoop:
Dear Marion,
I looked at the site and noted that this is Joseph C (not A) Ropel and he was from Wisconsin (not MN) , and I have a photo of him taken while he served in Italy, so you do have the right contact info. Joe died in April 1982, his first born son Ronald died in 2009 but he has a son who more than likely would like to have the tags. (Note that Joes' children were legally adopted by Don Euclide and carry the Euclide name.)
The "CC" is to Ronald's widow. Her address is: Val Euclide; N3380 Grover Drive; Withee, WI 54498
Thank you for caring enough to do the research.
Sincerely,
Sharon Short
(Joe's neice and author of many Clark Co, WI website articles)
When I wrote to her, I put Joseph A Ropel in the subject area. DOH!
Dear Sharon:
Sorry for the confusion on the website, for Enrico is actually looking for two different gentlemen; your family member from Wisconsin and a second gentleman from Minnesota, Frederick A Meister.
Can't tell you how happy and excited I am. Can't wait to post this information to the forum this morning and let my buddy from Italy know I have found the family. It's just amazing what one can do on the internet, and all within 24 hours of the initial search. WOW!
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. This is just wonderful. Can't wait to see the photograph.
I look forward to talking with you and to getting in touch with his widow and Ronald.
Warmly,
Marion
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"