Russ W sent this link our way. Says he just loves it.

http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/

Simone of Normandy

She kneels beside the simple grave...

A paratrooper young and brave

Upon whose final resting place

She lays a rose with tender grace.

"Rest well, my sons, the task is done:

Lie peacefully, the battle's won.

In loving memory, reverently

We keep you here in Normandy.

My promise and my prayer for you,

Beloved sons so young and true...

We shall recall your gallant fight

That sixth of June, that Glorious night!

Our sons and daughters shall be taught

The price of liberty you bought.

We, even now, remembering yet

Remind them well, lest they forget.

That all may know and all may tell...

That history may record it well.

My prayer within this hallowed place,

"Dear Alexandre, we keep the faith."

She rises slowly and with grace

Reflected glory on her face;

The glory of the fallen ones

Who came to die... her Airborne sons

From those who live and those who sleep

from multitudes whose faith you keep

From all who fought for Liberty,

Long Live The Queen Of Normandy.

-- by Ida Rogers Schlemmer

Old friend of my grandpa's died last week. His son told my mom at the service that Mutt was in the first wave on Iwo. He was all that and a good man and a good friend to my grandpa, too.

Garland Joseph "Mutt" Simmons , 89, of Oak Hill, WV died on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, WV.

Born February 25, 1921 at Minden, WV he was the son of the late Charles and Ollie Nugen Simmons.

Mr. Simmons was a retired coal miner and a retired agent for Peoples Life Insurance.

He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America, the American Legion and Bowling League president.

Mutt was a World War II US Marine Corps veteran. He participated in action at Iwo Jima in 1945.

His wife, Phyllis Marie Parrish Simmons and two sons, Michael Joseph "Mike" Simmons and Terry Wayne Simmons preceded him in death as did one brother, Eddie and two sisters, Frances and Mabel.

Survivors include one son, Charles Phillip "Chuck" Simmons of Oak Hill, three stepchildren, Vicki Lynn Eades of Mt. Nebo, James Ray Miller of Ansted and Daniel Lane Miller of Kingsland, GA, a brother, James R. "Bob" Simmons of Denver, NC and a sister, Ginny Roarke of Royalton, OH.

He is also survived by eighteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Services will be on Sunday, October 31, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at Lover's Leap Baptist Church in Ansted with Rev. Ron George, Sr. officiating. Entombment will be at Restlawn Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Ansted with military graveside rites by Oak Hill VFW Post #3110.

Visitation will be held at Tyree Funeral Home on Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, WV

Can anyone lend their assistance???

Greetings!

Just found your site; it looks great. But I'm looking for a specific song and wonder if you can help/direct me.

 

My dad (Army Air Corps/AF was a Marauder) used to sing an Army song (borrowed from the Brits?) to the tune of Old King Cole.

I remember fragments only and am looking for the full lyrics. It was the sort of song that built up

in repeating verses until the final verse was something like this:

 

"I hate war" said the President,

The Army's shot to hell said the generals

Bring me boots and spurs said the shavetail

We want 10 days leave said the majors

Right by squads squads right said the sergeant

____ said the privates

 

Merry merry men are we. There's none so fair as can compare with the field artillery.

 

Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

And thank you for your great website.

 

Regards,

Karen Ljunggren

My name is Aaron Drennan and I'am the grandson of a deaceased member of the 359th engineer regiment. I have been given a book from my grandmother that was published by the regiment in 1945 in Holland. The book is very detailed with lots of photos, copies of orders, and a manifest of all members that shipped overseas. This book is so detailed it gives individual stories from different soldiers. I hope that if anyone has any questions about the regiment or if surviving members might comment on the book if they recieved one to.