Checker Board (Newspaper) - December 1, 1989, Hampton Roads, Virginia Forwarding and Return postage guaranteed Address Correction Requested Checkerboard PO Box 99 KS 668610099 2533 US ARMY MILITARY HISTORY INSTITUTE UPTON ATTs AGO CARLISLE BARRACKS PA 17013SUU8 Nonprofit Organization Postage PAID KS 668610099 Permit December 1989 lume Number 6 Official of the 99th Infantry Division Association White Christmas By REX WHITEHEAD The members of the tour group of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Association had just finished dinner in the Casino 2000 The Luxembourg the date The previous days had been spent touring and revisiting areas where these people had fought in the Bat tle of the usually known as the Battle of the veter along with their and some historians and had looked for foxholes they had buildings where they had would re mind them of tough hours and days they had spent 44 years before as very young men during World War A fine band had been playing during and the music of the 40s had seemed to turn the clock and calendar back to those earlier How much fun it was to be m the center of the Ardennes with a group that had shared experiences long ago listening to a big band play Lili Sentimental and September The bandleader was taking re quests and I have re a request for this as I have many times from but never before in September but here it is White When the music started the mood in the room The sounds of light war clinking glassware Only the President James Mcllroy PO Box familiar notes of the song could be was expected that Christmas or of heard until someone started to softly the who seemed younger than sing the Others joined It the rest of who had laughed when seemed that everyone was the terrific shelling was taking TX 75009 yet it was quiet in the large We asked him about but hi didnt The band repeated the know that he had laughed wince LI Many voices cracked or For me there were no fond Office Home but a gut feeling told me that we were welded together by our thoughts and memories of a white Christmas 44 years earlier spent in this very part of the The thoughts were not but not because we had lived in holes in the snow in subzero weather or because of other physical hardships we It was the mental stress that we The memories were of wondering if we would see another Christmas and of our families at home wondering if they would see us Perhaps there were memories of like the guy who wondered if his wife was having the baby that Harry says Yes Heres my check for made out to the 99th Monument As I am proud of the 99th Divisions accomplishments in Europe in World War so am I proud to contribute to the 99th Monument For this reason you may list my name on the honor I didnt use the printed notice in the Checkerboard because I didnt wish to disfigure the Harry Arnold Route Box 745 Roper NC 27970 memories of that White Christmas of 1944 only bad War is not thrilling or exciting but consists of misery and being scared to I suppose White Christmas is a reason why we did it all I get the same feeling when they play the national anthem before a football I feel guilty when I see a death date of on a marker in an American military White Christmas means some thing different since that night in September Im not sure I like to hear the music Best war stories book is off press Best Little Stories From is off the World Brian War II military historian and Checker board is the author of the journalistic history of WWII in the form of 101 vignettes a couple taken from the The stories come from WWII like the gathered under a single Its an oversize by Montpelier Publishing of POB PA Cost is and well worth Firs t iden t Hudson Rinehart 2301 KY 40299 Second Henry Richards 19 Pinewood Court San CA 94403 urer Walt Schroeder 1901 Roberta IL 61821 Checkerboard Editor Meyer Box 99 KS 66861 Nights 99th monument is assured The 99th Infantry Division Memo rial Fund to raise money for erection of a suitable monument at is nearly Members voluntarily sent contri butions following a story in the September and have almost reached the It had been anticipated that a mailing of the membership would be which would have cost about That will not be said President Mcllroy who said he was amazed at the quick At the amount collected had passed the Monu ment committee cochairmen Al Nel son and BUI Meyer said its obvious that the fund will be fully subscribed and they are going ahead with the contract to construct the The fund drive will be completed by Mcllroy said he will report to the board of directors at the Louisville Convention and they will then set a dedication date for sometime in the probably If the fund is with more money collected than the additional funds will be utilized to sponsor a Christmas party for children in the Krinkelt It is thought that such a party would discourage and make the children aware of why the monument was If enough additional funds are it is possible that a bronze plaque could be with the 99th on the west bank museum of the Ludendorf Bridge at West The 99th was the first full infantry division to cross the Rhine at that There are plaques erected to other at that but no mention of the Those who have not sent dona may do so by sending them to Monument in care of Sec Walt 1901 Roberta IL In the next edition of the Checker Walt Schroeder will compile an honor roll list of donors Medal of Honor status will be for those who contributed or more Silver Star donors are those giving or more Bronze Star donors are or more Good Conduct Medal awards are for those who donate or Merwin 393 Henry 393 IBn Henry 393 IBn Sidney 195354 Thomas 195455 Michael Harvey Andrew 99 195758 John Joseph Jacob Grady George James James 196465 Herb Joseph Harry Frank 196869 Elwood 196970 Nathan James 394 Clyde 197273 Joe Charles 394 1 Bn HQ 197475 Howard Clyde Del John 197879 Ray Don LeRoy Tom John Vern 99 Signal Byron Robert 99 Signal LeRoy Joe Elected Members Until 1990 Grant Yager Richard Grant Until 1991 Mike Strollo Andrew Askew Until 1992 Jake Hayes Thomas Wilson Appointed Members Joe Forrester Past President Joe Johnson Member Meyer Checkerboard Editor Jim Fennie Association Auditor Joe Johnson Chaplain Del Stumpff Howard Denhard Sergeants At Arms Association Life Members Jim Fennie LeRoy Higgins Joe Johnson Meyer Ben Nawrocki Hank Richards Memorial Committee Al Nelson Meyer Jake Hayes Roger Foehringer Dick Byers Walt Will Archives Committee Clyde Donald Mehus Joe Weckerle Dick Byers Rex
