Dear Marion,

 

It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of your "boys" Paul Bossis of the 235 Combat Engineers passed away on June 2, a the age of 88.

 

One of the great joys my dad recently had was when, thanks to your web site, he was able to go to Washington DC with my mother and myself, to a reunion of the 1108 and visit the WW II monument. Getting a chance to reminisce with others who had served in the same battalion and see the monument meant so much to him.He was also able to connect up with some others after our visit to DC.

 

Like many WW II veterans, my dad did not talk much to my brothers and me about his war experiences. But when his grandsons were born he started to tell some stories. Most of them were funny and he talked about the tight bonds he made , but as his grandchildren got older he started delving into his war experiences a bit more.He told them of his experiences at Fort Gruber, his adventures in North Africa,his charging out of the HIggins boat at the invasion of Salerno and the hellish campaign at Monte Cassino, where he lost some of his friends and where he received his Purple Heart and a trip home.He was also so proud that his 235 Combat Engineers received a Presidential Unit Citation for their help in the capture of Mt. Porchia.

 

 

One by one the men who helped shape the world and who came back home to work hard and contribute to America are leaving us. But thanks to people like you, Marion and the memories of their families their contribution will not be forgotten.

 

Thanks for all you have done and continue to do.

 

Sincerely,

George Bossis

Looks like another one of Marion's boys has gone to join his band of brothers. That's three I found out about this week. No words left today....

My buddy sent me this letter -

June 15, 2010

A friend who works in public relations for the US Army at the Pentagon liked my pictures from my recent trip to Namur Belgium. She was able to get me to write a story, and it was published today on the US Army blog, "Army Live."

I thought that you might like to read the story.

Dave

http://armylive.dodlive.mil/index.php/2012/06/from-the-past-to-the-present/

39th Engineer Newsletter - June 2012

June 2012 39th Newsletter.pdf

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  June 2012 39th Newsletter.pdf (Size: 699.17 KB / Downloads: 0)

Tom Petty sent me their June newsletter, which discusses their upcoming reunion in June. It's great to hear this and I know they will have a wonderful time. We are all so lucky to be able to get together. Thanks for sending this my way, Tom.

2012 reunion date and location:

June 20th – 24th, 2012 Colorado Springs, Colorado

697th - June 2012.pdf

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  697th - June 2012.pdf (Size: 640.95 KB / Downloads: 0)

June 14, 2012 - It is with deep regret and sadness, I inform you of the passing of my friend, Bill. Below are letters I received from his sons. You will be truly missed.

Marion—I have talked of you with Dad and seen many of your communications with him. This morning I sent the attached to my law firm. Jeanelle, by the way, is my daughter, his granddaughter, of course, and she works for me as my paralegal. Believe it or not I have sent your web site to countless people who inquire of my dad, and today, one of my staff sent it to the entire firm. It was the first time Jeanelle had seen it. She never knew how sad Dad was about missing her wedding. In any event, with all that you have meant to him, I always said to myself I would let you know when he passed. It is done. Thank you for allowing him to leave a little of himself for others who never got the chance to meet or know the Munson family “Superman”.

 

Bruce Munson

Marion,

 

I suspect that you've heard from one or more of my brothers, but, to make sure you've heard, I want you to know my dad has passed.

 

He died in his sleep this AM with a smile on his face and a sword at his side. This world is missing a warrior but Valhala is celebrating.

 

God bless you and thanks for what you did with that marvelous website. I can't tell you how many folks I shared that with.

 

Mike

http://www.6thcorpsc...eBillMunson.htm