So true. We are the "keepers of our stories." As the oldest in my family, I am also the "keeper" of all my dad's WWII memorabilia, which includes his letters to his mother and his jump lists and all sorts of historical items (he was in the 101st and a jump master - on D-Day he was dropped on Normandy to lay out communications in advance …
So true. We are the "keepers of our stories." As the oldest in my family, I am also the "keeper" of all my dad's WWII memorabilia, which includes his letters to his mother and his jump lists and all sorts of historical items (he was in the 101st and a jump master - on D-Day he was dropped on Normandy to lay out communications in advance of the invasion.) But in addition to those stories, I am also the "keeper" of all the stories he and my mom shared about growing up in the Depression. As the oldest daughter of those two, I lived with "Depression Era" behaviors in our home - we saved EVERYTHING. Those habits still exist today! And growing up in the days without the technology of today, I can compute even when the computer is down! Two of my favorite volumes were given to me by my dad - "Foxfire." He said, "Keep these. They will come in handy one day when everything breaks down." You know, maybe that's going to happen sooner than later!
Yes! Several times! I am also in communication with a young Army officer who is writing about the 506 and who has asked to buy my dad's memorabilia (for now, we are keeping it in the family for the younger folks.) He sent me a memoir written by a fellow who was second behind my dad on that fateful jump. His memoir corroborates a story that our dad shared: the huge planes received such a pummeling, they were heading back to England instead of staying on course to their drop zones, so only three of the planes actually dropped their paratroopers as planned - and only one of them actually was even close to the target. Dad was supposed to jump first, kicking out the huge bag of supplies, which were on a separate parachute. When he kicked it, it wedged in the door and prevented him from jumping. All the other guys started yelling at him, so he jumped ON and OVER the supplies and dragged them out WITH him, further endangering himself because the chutes could have become tangled. They found themselves in an orchard and were soon surrounded by Germans. So Dad and the Lt. of the other plane agreed to surrender, as otherwise they would all have been killed. The memoir guy ended up in a hospital there in Normandy. Dad was marched off into Germany, strafed by friendly fire, and ended up spending the war in a German camp. He was liberated when the Allies liberated those camps at the end of the war. He was one tough guy, let me tell you! The memoir guy survived the entire war, all of what is shown on BOB, including Bastogne. He was a radio man like my dad.
So true. We are the "keepers of our stories." As the oldest in my family, I am also the "keeper" of all my dad's WWII memorabilia, which includes his letters to his mother and his jump lists and all sorts of historical items (he was in the 101st and a jump master - on D-Day he was dropped on Normandy to lay out communications in advance of the invasion.) But in addition to those stories, I am also the "keeper" of all the stories he and my mom shared about growing up in the Depression. As the oldest daughter of those two, I lived with "Depression Era" behaviors in our home - we saved EVERYTHING. Those habits still exist today! And growing up in the days without the technology of today, I can compute even when the computer is down! Two of my favorite volumes were given to me by my dad - "Foxfire." He said, "Keep these. They will come in handy one day when everything breaks down." You know, maybe that's going to happen sooner than later!
Interesting history, Ellen. Have you watched "Band of Brothers"?
Yes! Several times! I am also in communication with a young Army officer who is writing about the 506 and who has asked to buy my dad's memorabilia (for now, we are keeping it in the family for the younger folks.) He sent me a memoir written by a fellow who was second behind my dad on that fateful jump. His memoir corroborates a story that our dad shared: the huge planes received such a pummeling, they were heading back to England instead of staying on course to their drop zones, so only three of the planes actually dropped their paratroopers as planned - and only one of them actually was even close to the target. Dad was supposed to jump first, kicking out the huge bag of supplies, which were on a separate parachute. When he kicked it, it wedged in the door and prevented him from jumping. All the other guys started yelling at him, so he jumped ON and OVER the supplies and dragged them out WITH him, further endangering himself because the chutes could have become tangled. They found themselves in an orchard and were soon surrounded by Germans. So Dad and the Lt. of the other plane agreed to surrender, as otherwise they would all have been killed. The memoir guy ended up in a hospital there in Normandy. Dad was marched off into Germany, strafed by friendly fire, and ended up spending the war in a German camp. He was liberated when the Allies liberated those camps at the end of the war. He was one tough guy, let me tell you! The memoir guy survived the entire war, all of what is shown on BOB, including Bastogne. He was a radio man like my dad.
Thank you, Ellen, for these memories concerning your father's experiences as a soldier in WW II.