Glider Monument

[Jeeper704]

Thanks for the information on saluting.

 

Here are some photos of the relics of the glider (sorry for the size, but they're already linked to our forum, so can't change them without breaking existant links):

 

Small parts of the controls, a French medal (souvenir from Normandy), a Sten gun bullet (from Cpl. Sellers' gun), etc.

The Glider Wings are NOT original, they're postwar.

 

Part of the framework used after the war as a wheelbarrow.

 

Erwin

[Jeeper704]

 

This photo was taken when the 101st Airborne Signal Company returned to England from Normandy.

Back row, in the middle: Thomas F Vella.

Also note the GI wearing a German visor cap on the right.

 

Erwin

[Walt's Daughter]

Ah, Signal Co! George Koskimaki's domain.

[Jeeper704]

Yeah, Mr. Koskimaki might even know a few guys.

Although I believe he was Paratrooper and not Gliderrider.

 

Btw, if I remember correctly, the one drinking the beer about two men right from Thomas is Stanley Zajelka (in the same Waco glider as Thomas on September 17, 1944).

 

Erwin

 

Ah, Signal Co! George Koskimaki's domain.

[Jeeper704]

This Sunday, we have our annual commemoration at the Glider Monument.

It starts at 1500 hours (Belgian time).

 

We take time to remember these guys as well as countless others who gave their lives for our Freedom.

 

A lot of politicians and other .... should take time to remember them too and re-learn the real values in life!

 

Erwin

[colinhotham]

This is a facinating story and how good it is to see that it is not forgotten 64 years after the event.

 

You might also be interested in this monument I found on the island of Sicily during my research into the Husky

campaign there in 1943. I assume this had been a glider towing US C47, or it had been carrying paratroops?

Colin.

[Jeeper704]

It could be either.

Did it crash after the Airborne troopers jumped?

Or was it a cargo plane delivering supplies?

 

It is a nice monument though.

I take it the top is a part of the wreck?

 

Erwin

[Jeeper704]

The 15th Commemoration .... some photos.

 

First of all, the placing of flowers at Cpl. Sellers' grave.

 

Speech of the chairman of the "Vella Comité" Jean-Pierre Casteels.

He gave an overview of what has happened in those 15 years.

 

The Last Post.

 

Flowers being placed at the Glider Monument.

 

Jean-Pierre's niece reading a letter of thanks from the US Embassy.

 

The new infomation plate (the other one was destroyed by vandals).

 

Glider Monument.

 

Also present were 10 - 12 Jeeps from the "Spearhead" group and we had about 60 - 65 people attending.

 

Erwin

[colinhotham]

Yes Erwin it is a panel from the wreck of the C47. The monument is now in the grounds of a beautiful hotel and it

was raised and paid for by the owner as a tribute to those who were killed in freeing Sicily from German rule.

If anyone is in the area near Ragusa on Sicily, the staff at the Eremo de la Giubiliana are very helpful to visitors.

Colin.

[101st Airborne Signal Co]

<img src="http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i308/Praetorian4AD/AfterNormandy-Vellaothers.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

This photo was taken when the 101st Airborne Signal Company returned to England from Normandy.

Back row, in the middle: Thomas F Vella.

Also not the GI wearing a German visor cap on the right.

 

Erwin