The Fighting 69th Infantry Division Association, Inc. Vol. 50 No. 2 ...

NEWS FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
(Continued from Page 2)
Your address strikes a familar chord. Between 1980
and 1982 I served on the Middle Atlantic Region
National Staff of the YMCA with offices first in Port
Washington and then at King of Prussia. We lived in
Exton about a mile up from the junction of Highways
100 and 30 in an area called Century Oaks. We really
loved Pennsylvania.
May the coming and ensuing years continue to
bring good health and happiness to you both and to
your respective families. We are exceedingly fortunate
in having you two as our editors. You are doing a
tremendous job.
James Tsafos, 2219 New Holland Pike, Lancaster,
Pennsylvania 17601-5419: My Captain Austin had
me as first pick as replacement for the 99th. He and
same outfit replaced us at Elsenborn. I then was one
of the last across the Remagen Bridge before it collapsed.
I was hit with schrapnel 4 or 5 places and my
bazooka shattered; it was the only use it had. I left on
the first trip back on the Queen Mary from Detelbach.
I am proud of both the 69th and Checkerboard Charlie's
99th. God bless us all.
Jack and Carolyn Houghton, 1780 South Filbert
Court, Denver, Colorado 80222 - Co. A, 273rd: Carolyn
wanted us to let everyone know it has been one thing
after another for Jack this year and taking care of him
tends to put other things aside. She is happy to report
that he is getting stronger each day. She states that
they are proud to be members of the 69th Association,
that they enjoy the bulletin very much and really miss
attending the reunions.
Kenneth Sawyer, 2935 Turtle Mound Road,
Melbourne, Florida 32934 - Co. D-273rd: I hope this
finds you in reasonably good health. I admire you for
not giving into the ravages of time. You set a good
example for us younger types. Your efforts are appreciated.
I have been enjoying the latest bulletin. The contribution
sent in by Kormas and O'Connor appearing
on page 26 was of special interest. The article was
written by Philip M. Smith. I call your attention to the
unit report I submitted which appeared on page 35.
You will find the name Phil Smith 10 lines from the
bottom. Yup! One and the same. Phil Smith attended
our Schaumburg reunion.
Phil's father was Percy Smith. He was the First
Sergeant of Co D, 273rd until August 1944 when he
was shipped out. He joined the 80th Division where he
took part in the action referred to in Phil's article.
Percy enjoyed writing about his experiences. Phil has
given me a hundred page collection of anecdotes
about D/273 which were written by Percy. Some of it
may be a bit too racy for our prim and proper (?) publication.
Phil also gave me a tape of that program that
was prepared from his script and presented on
National Public Radio. It was beautifully done and is
quite moving. I will try to bring it with me to Danvers.
-3-
Those of us who got to meet Phil enjoyed his visit
very much. He brought his ten year old daughter with
him in the evening. She was undoubtedly a bit apprehensive
in such a group. Everybody took a shine to
this pretty little miss, and she soon had a smile on her
lips. Her reaction after leaving? "It was fun."
Phil really seemed to enjoy spending time with us
oldsters. His admiration for the veterans of WWII
knows no limits. He sent me a little note of appreciation
after the reunion and mentioned the possibility of
joining us in Danvers. I think it more likely that he
would attend a reunion in Texas if it comes to pass as
he recently became a resident of College Station.
Would he be eligible to volunteer as a host?
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Ken, I suggest you take that
subject up at the Membership Meeting at our 1997
reunion.)
Elias Bloom, 8760 Carrollton Avenue, Indianapolis,
Indiana 46240 - Co. F, 273rd: Walt Harpain of
Fresno, California, recently tracked me down, and let
me know that the Fighting 69th Infantry Division
Association was still in operation. I was an early, if not
a charter member, but didn't get any notices after the
early 1950's.
I was in the machine gun squad of the 4th Platoon,
F Company, 273rd infantry. I joined the 69th in Camp
Shelby sometime in the summer of 1944, and was with
the 69th until it loaded up with high pointers and
shipped the low pointers out.
Robert D. Eicher, Route 7, Box 1115, Elizabethton,
Tennessee 37643-9184 - Hq. Co. 1st, Bn., 273rd:
I was a member of the 69th Division from the middle of
1943 to the middle of 1944 when we were broken up
and sent to England as replacements. I ended up in the
30th Division as a squad leader. I went from France to
the Elbe River with no major problems.
Alvin Bryant, 2707 Richwood Road, Durham, North
Carolina 27705 - Co. D-273rd: Keep up the good work
you all are doing for the greatest outfit in the U.S.
Army. I'm proud along with my twin brother, Calvin, to
have served my country in this great organization.
Calvin and I are really proud to have had five other
brothers, seven in all, to also serve our great nation
overseas in combat. All seven of the Bryant brothers
served our great nation overseas in World War II!
Francis G. Blais, 603 Church Road, Reisterstown,
Maryland 21136 - Hq., 3rd Bn., 273rd: Not much for
writing anymore. The old hands are a bit shaky. Let's
hope that Anna and I can make the reunion this year.
Here's our heartfelt wish for a Happy New Year for all.
SEND ALL LETTERS AND PICTURES TO:
Earl Witzleb, Jr., Editor
P.O. Box 69, Champion, PA 15622-0069
Telephone: 412/455-2901