Received this lovely letter from Sandra this morning. Seems the party was a huge success. I am also including some photos that she sent.
Happy birthday Frank! Many more and continued health and success from all of us!
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Dear Stefano, Christine, Marc, Dick, Josh, Mary, Marion and Michael!
All of you, primarily, along with so many others, contributed so very much to my husband's 85th surprise birthday party! My heart, and with it my love, goes out to you all. I am overwhelmed with such love and gratitude and I wish you could all get to know one another, as I, through this wonderful e-mail, have gotten to know you, for you all have a strong similarity, honesty, integrity, sincerity and love for your fellow man (well, women too!!!) and family, and the most overwhelming respect for those courageous people that fought, so very, very many giving their lives, in the name of freedom and liberation from such oppressive tyranny. You are all worldwide, and I, as a humble individual, salute you all for I am truly blessed and grateful for the privilege of touching you.
I wish you all would e-mail each other. Stefano is in Livorno, Italy; Christine is in Germany, Marc is in Holland, Dick (Frank's former commanding officer) is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Josh is in South Dakota, Mary is the e-mail liason for Bill Klick (Frank's old army buddy), Marion is in Michigan and Michael is in Washington, DC (Historian for the Army Corps of Engineers).
If I had any of your permissions, I would e-mail some of their letters to you.
Some of these pictures are a little dark (those are the ones I took!), the other ones are pretty clear (those are the ones my daughter, Lisa, took!). It all got a little blurred when the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) presented Frank with the folded flag that our Congresswoman Mary Bono had flown before the Capitol on June 6, 2005 in honor of Frank Donia, and they read the Citation she had sent. It says, in part:
"This flag was flown for Frank Donia, in sincere gratitude for your honorable and courageous defense of the United States of America and freedom for all during the landing at Normandy on June 6, 1944. On behalf of a grateful nation, We Salute You."
I love you with a special feeling that will never end, only beginning to grow. Let's please stay in touch, my friends!!!
Just realized that "I" have spent faaarrrr tooooo much time referring to meeeeeee. . .!!!
Love,
Sandra
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Sandra is on the right
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"