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A Day in the life of Rose Friday
by Patricia Bowers
For those of you who have never met Rose, she is the heart and soul of our organization. Rose attended the reunions with her father Edward, Mother Florence, as a very young girl, and has never looked back. Rose was a founding member of the Scions as well as its first President.
Rose has devoted her life to taking care of our 17th Heroes. She is in constant contact with our Veterans, wives and families. She sends them cards, photos, and reading materials and has become a lifeline to many who are in need of cheer. While Rose will say she is getting much more out of this than the veterans, they beg to differ. When I contact veterans they tell me how important Rose is in their lives, and without her mailings, they would have nothing to look forward to. When I make calls to grieving families, over and over again they tell me how much their loved ones were encouraged and felt loved in their last days knowing that Rose cared for them. It takes deep commitment and love to do what Rose does. She spends her days looking for materials, jokes, photos, etc for our veterans mailings, then off to the library to make hundreds of photocopies to collate and mail out on a weekly basis. Her office is a whirlwind of cards, envelopes, stickers, photos, you name it, she’s got it for any holiday or occasion. She personalizes each mailing to each veteran. I wish I were a Rose...................by any other name however, It would not be a sweet!
Thank you Rose, from the bottom of our hearts!
Submitted by Patty Bowers
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New Book
17th Airborne Division at War
Photographs from the National Archive
by Edward R. Siergiej
This new book is the result of research at the US National Archives. It includes over 160 photographs from a collection of the US Army Signal Corp taken in Belgium and Germany.
Each photograph has the original caption by the Signal Corp photographer. Context to the photographs is provided with excerpts from the Division Diary.
$25 each, includes S&H in the U.S.A. Mail your check to:
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Diary of a WWII Gliderman 263 pages indexed with numerous pictures. Jack and Betty Ogden letters (1940-1945) from 17th AB 194th HQ, Camp Mackall, Camp Forrest, Battle of the Bulge, Operation Varsity, plus letters from family and friends in other theaters of operation.
Limited copies $40.00, checks only: John Ogden, 102 Adams Avenue, Woodsfield, OH 4379
For orders outside of the USA, contact John for postage.
Editors note: This book gives a great insight into what was going through the mind of one trooper in the 17th during training, combat, and after the end of the fighting in the ETO. Information from the division historical record gives context to the bigger picture that was unknown to the men in the front lines. A great book for anyone who wants to know more about what it was like to be "Airborne" in 1944 - 45. Thanks to Scion John Ogden for making this limited edition book available. (Ed Siergiej Jr.)
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TAPS
IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN SOLDIER
by Isaac Epps (RIP)
The ones who went
Were truly sent
To do a Noble Deed;
When evil showed
They took the load
In Justice, they believed.
They heard the call
And gave their All
And some did not not come back.
They knew the chance
But took the stance
When Liberty was attacked.
It Speaks of Duty, Faith; and Love;
It speaks of a respect
for Country; For Others,
For the Right of Man;
To forget would be neglect.
On this Their Day
We stop to pray
Their Memory shall live;
The sacrifice they made was Life.
What more can someone Give?
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17th Airborne Memorial
Fort Benning, Georgia
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Standing Guard
Submitted by Dominic Biello
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If you become aware of the passing of one of our 17th Airborne veterans, please notify us immediately.
We will make every effort to locate a member of the organization to attend the funeral and support the family in any way possible.
Often, by the time an obituary is posted, little time remains to make these arrangements.
Send an email to
Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com.
Our Veteran Outreach Team will also contact the family.
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Dale Chapman
193/F
Dale Leslie Chapman, 98, of Eureka, IL, formerly of Washington, IL, passed away at 12:50 am on Friday, November 11, 2022, at the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka.
He was born on August 10, 1924, in Elgin, NE, to Charles and Erma (Graves) Chapman. He married Janet R. Bills on November 11, 1951, in Indiana. She passed away on November 19, 1991. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Rex Chapman.
Surviving are three children, Charles (Carol) Chapman of Port Charlotte, FL, Evelyn (Dennis) Riehl of Washington, IL, and Leonard Chapman of Madisonville, KY; four grandchildren, Erik Chapman, Ryan (Rachael) Chapman, Nathaniel (Kristina) Riehl, and William (Cassie) Chapman; and eight great-grandchildren.
Dale was a was part of the U.S. Army 17th Infantry Airborne and was honorably discharged on December 11, 1945. He had worked as a machinist for Caterpillar Tractor Company retiring in 1986. Dale was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Washington.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Washington with Pastor Mike Gallagher and Pastor Jack Wilcox officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until 10:45 am at the church. Burial will follow his service at Glendale Cemetery in Washington with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Salvation Army or the Disabled American Veterans. Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or to leave a condolence for his family, please visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.
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Gilbert Herrera
194/B
Herrera, Gilbert J., 98, of Golden, CO passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 17, 2022 surrounded by his family. He was a loving husband, father of four, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was preceded in death by 9 siblings; his wife of 72 years, Dolores; and sons Thomas and Randolph. He is survived by his son, Robert, daughter Cynthia, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Gilbert was born in Augilar, CO on October 31, 1924. He came to Denver area in 1945 and was married on June 15, 1947. He worked in the Public Works Dept. of the City & County of Denver for 42 years. As a decorated WWII 17th Airborne Division veteran, the characteristic that he most identified with was that of a veteran and a patriot. The War was the defining period in his life—the time that clearly shaped the man he became. He instilled in his children the importance of God, family, charity and country. He served in his church often and was an active church member all his life. He was a Fourth Degree Knight, the highest and most prestigious within the Knights of Columbus. He stayed involved by serving on The All Veterans Honor Guard for many years. He was an avid fisherman who got pleasure from the simple things of nature and the mountains. He had a simple life and enjoyed sitting on the bank of one of his favorite lakes near the family cabin in the Granby area, patiently waiting for the trout to bite.
He was a true hero who will not be forgotten and he will be missed by all who loved him.
“One crowded hour of glorious life,
Is worth an age without a name.”
~ T. P. Mordaunt from “Verses Written During War”
Services for Gilbert will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022 at ASpen Memorial Chapel, in Lakewood, CO. Viewing will begin at 10:00 am , Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00am. Interment will follow services at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 1:00 pm. Staging Area A.
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17th Airborne Division "Online Store"
Click here to be directed to the store
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Below are some of the items in our "Online Store"
All items include S&H in the USA. Mail your check to:
Scions of the 17th Airborne
62A Forty Acre Mt. Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811
Or use Paypal by sending your funds to us at
Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com
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Below are some of the items in our "Online Store"
All items include S&H in the USA. Mail your check to:
Scions of the 17th Airborne
62A Forty Acre Mt. Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811
Or use Paypal by sending your funds to us at
Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com
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This 280 page collection of stories from Troopers of Company A of the 513th PIR is reformatted for easier reading. Includes many photos, maps and diagrams from the troopers of Co A.
$35 Includes S&H in the USA. Mail your check to:
Scions of the 17th Airborne
62A Forty Acre Mt. Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811
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Show your 17th Airborne pride with this new cap made only for the Scions of the 17th Airborne Division.
Made in the USA !!!
$25 each, includes S&H in the U.S.A.
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These new 22 oz. stainless steel water bottles are made in the U.S.A, and feature the 17th Talon on one side, and the Scions logo on the other.
$17 each, includes S&H in the U.S.A.
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Scion Coffee Mugs
These new 15 oz. mugs are made in the U.S.A., and feature the 17th Talon on one side, and the Scions logo on the other.
$20 each, includes S&H in the U.S.A.
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Become a Member of the
Scions of the 17th Airborne!
Our mission is to ensure that the sacrifice and history of the 17th Airborne Division is not forgotten.
Distinguished Honorary Members
All veterans of the 17th are considered as "Distinguished Honorary Members" of the Scions. We exist to honor you, our veterans. We do not ask for dues from our honored veterans, as we exist to honor you!
Regular membership in the Scions of the 17th Airborne is open to any descendant or family member of any trooper who served with the 17th during its existence.
Associate Membership is available to individuals who have an interest in the history of the 17th Airborne, but are not related to a veteran of the 17th. Associate Members do not have voting rights.
To join our growing organization, contact the Scions at:
Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com
Our website contains a wealth of information on the 17th Airborne and its history, and our Members Section (open exclusively to dues-paying Scions) contains hundreds of pages of documents obtained from the National Archives! Check it out at www.17thscions.org!
We also have a great Facebook page, where there are lots of great posts by friends of the 17th in the U.S. and in Europe. Check us out on Facebook at:
17th Airborne Division Scions (Descendants).
Please consider passing this on to your children and grandchildren, if they are not already members. As our membership grows, we can take on new projects of value.
President
Skip Greeby, Scion of William Smith ( 466HQ)
Vice President
Gerald O'Brien, Gold Star son of John L. O'Brien (466th) KIA
Secretary
Ed Siergiej Jr., son of Edward J. Siergiej (194/C)
Treasurer
Dan Aas, Son of Lynn Aas (193/D)
Past Presidents
Jeff Schumacher, Son of John Schumacher (194/D & HQ)
Adam Coolong, grandson of Charles E. Booth (680th/HQ)
Melanie Sembrat, daughter of Harry Sembrat (513th)
Rose Friday, daughter of Edward Friday (194th)
Committee Chairs
Veteran Outreach / Family Liaison Coordinators - Patricia Bowers, Rose Friday and Sandy Remes
Membership Committee - Patricia Bowers, Chair
Advisory Committee - Jeff Schumacher, Son of John Schumacher (194/D & HQ)
Legal Council - Chuck Katz - son of John Katz (194th)
Historian - Paul Madden - son of Harold Madden (680th/A)
Memorial Committee - Jerry and Pat O'Brien
History & Archive Coordinators - Adam Coolong and David Shortt
Thunder From Heaven Newsletter - Ed Siergiej and Carolyn Tuttle
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