Jul/Aug 2008 - Korean War Veterans Association

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It pays to cross that bridge when you come to it 68 The story of Frank Aleksandrowicz By KWVA Staff Writer Arthur G. Sharp© Frank Aleksandrowicz finally got into a war—the Korean War. He also had an indirect connection with the 1951 movie Yank in Korea, which starred Lon McCallister, William Phillips, Brett King, and Larry Stewart. This 73-minute film was described as a “corny war actioner.” But, let Aleksandrowicz explain how all this came about. “I never got to see this film and the theater never asked for permission to use my name or photo. I worked for the Erie Dispatch- Hera1d (Erie, PA) from 1941 to 1942. I was drafted for World War II on September 21, 1942. I had a month over one year of experience as photographer when I was recalled by the U.S. Army from the reserve. I never went to meetings, and I never received a penny. I was in the post-WII time, and I figured that we would be at war in five or so years after the end of the war. I was right. I was recalled at age 29 and went to camp with all the “kids“ 18 or years or age. I ended up in the 519th Military Battalion, Co. A. I tried to get into the 167 Photo Co. However, my colonel declined to let me go. Either way, I am alive to tell you about my experience. In the WWII period we had more photographers than needed when I was drafted. So, I was in the 769th MP Bn. I declined school in southern France in March 1945 for officer training. That put me in the right place at the right time to meet a girl on a bridge over the Meuse River during a visit to the city of Liege, Belgium. When I was crossing the bridge with a buddy, he said, “Hey, Sarge, look at the beautiful girl ahead in that white fur coat.“ As we caught up to the young lady, I started a conversation with her. “Are you married?” I asked. “No,” she said. “Could we see you tomorrow?” I continued “Maybe some other time,” she replied. Photographer Aleksandrowicz with Erie Dispatch Herald when drafted by Army in September 1942. Cpl Frank Aleksandrowicz in 1943 I learned that she worked for some wealthy people. The man owned a steel mill in the Liege area. When I did get to see her, her uncle and wife met me when I was invited for dinner. The uncle was a Liege Police upper echelon police officer. Eventually our relationship grew in to love. (Actually, we were in love right from the beginning.) My MP Battalion allowed me to make occasional visits to her. We went to the opera and fell deeper in love. Finally, we planned to marry. We had a few problems with bureaucratic red tape involving Bn. HQ and other military agencies, but we overcame them. We held our wedding in July 1945, and stayed happily married until 30 November 2003, when she died. She is buried in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, which is located in Rittman, 50 mi1es south of C1eveland. (Aleksandrowicz once spent his own money to print 5,000 post cards featuring the cemetery.) In the interim, I went to Korea and served with the 519 MP Bn., Co. A. I took some photos when I was there. The Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery postcard That is not the end of the story, though. Aleksandrowicz, a member of Chapter 69, Greater Cleveland [OH], has worked tirelessly on various Korean War-related projects since. Two local newspapers ran stories about him recently to highlight a project he has been working on for the aforementioned cemetery. The first appeared in the Bedford Times Register on 10 April 2008. The Medina County Gazette printed a more in-depth piece on 17 May 2008 to give him credit for his most recent effort. On 18 May 2008, there was a dedication ceremony at the cemetery for a six-foot-tall bronze statue of a veteran saluting the cemetery’s flagpole. The statue cost $65,000 to create— $5,000.00 of which came from Aleksandrowicz’ own funds. He and July - August 2008 The Graybeards
The Aleksandrowiczes in 1945 after two months of marriage 519 MP Bn road sign north of Taejon, 1951 MP Aleksandrowicz on duty with 769 MP Bn during WWII members of the cemetery’s advisory committee campaigned for 2½ years to get the statue in place. They received a nonprofit 501(c)(3) status from the IRS and raised $55,000 toward their goal. They recruited Cleveland artist David Deming, president of the Cleveland Institute of Art, to sculpt the statue. On the base of the statue is a quote from William Jennings Bryan: “The strength of a nation does not lie in forts nor in navies nor yet in grand standing armies, but in happy and contented citizens who are ever ready to protect for themselves and to preserve for prosperity the blessing which they enjoy.” Certainly, Aleksandrowicz is one of those happy and contented citizens. He has served his country to make sure that its citizens enjoy prosperity and blessings. He is a credit to the U.S. Army, the country, and the KWVA. Reach Frank J. Aleksandrowicz at 343 Canterbury Road, Bay Village 44140, (440) 871-5081. Troops availing themselves of Red Cross coffee and on hospital grounds in Pusan, 1951 519 MP Bn near Seoul, 1951 More 69 The Graybeards July - August 2008
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Sail into Norfolk for the KWVA Reun
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From the President My first remarks
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TO HONOR KOREAN WAR VETERANS EXCLUS
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for providing the freedoms we cheri
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The Graybeards July - August 2008 9
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The Graybeards July - August 2008 1
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CALL FOR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
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Records received!.... Mr. Cohee: I
Page 17 and 18: BUSINESS Bob approached the office
Page 19 and 20: Begin: Personal Reflections by Hal
Page 21 and 22: feat of extracting 60,000 troops fr
Page 23 and 24: The following is a joint Press Rele
Page 26 and 27: Parades as Recruiting Tools Grand M
Page 28 and 29: 222 - DON C. FAITH (MOH) [TX] Chapt
Page 30 and 31: Update Tell America 105 - CENTRAL N
Page 32 and 33: Monuments and Medals Korea: the For
Page 34 and 35: Monument dedicated in Quincy, MA Th
Page 36 and 37: Thanks! As we have noted in past is
Page 38 and 39: 38 “PS. For those that don’t kn
Page 40 and 41: Chapter & Department News NOTE 1: C
Page 42 and 43: The Chapter received another gestur
Page 44 and 45: decided to run into the burning bui
Page 46 and 47: once again on the 2008 Memorial Day
Page 48 and 49: “Mount up”—CID 170 members ab
Page 50 and 51: Members of CID 259 stand with famil
Page 52 and 53: Staten Island Chapter honors Turkis
Page 54 and 55: Korean War Veterans’ Mini-Reunion
Page 56 and 57: 56 Book Review Blood Runs Red White
Page 58 and 59: Reunion Calendar 2008 - 2009 To pos
Page 60 and 61: Recon Missions 60 PFC James M Jorda
Page 62 and 63: Feedback/Return Fire This section o
Page 64 and 65: Free cigarettes…but pipe smokers
Page 66 and 67: The fourth most visited memorial…
Page 70 and 71: Putting an MP on a pedestal: 519 MP
Page 72 and 73: Official Membership Application For
Page 74 and 75: Alabama ✯ Richard C. Bryan ✯ Wi
Page 76 and 77: Members in the Bob Young Members fr
Page 78 and 79: APPLICATION FOR KVA SEOUL REVISIT T
Page 80: These planes may be up in the air o
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Jul/Aug 2008 - Korean War Veterans Association

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