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News
From The
508
AUGUST 2008 |
CHET GRAHAM (HQ 2nd) suffered a
minor stroke in early May, after his return from a trip to Texas. At
last report he seemed tired but was doing OK.
SEARCHING FOR- SHARON RASH is seeking
information regarding her father, ARTHUR K. CZALBOWSKI. ARTHUR passed on
in 1953 leaving few details of his WW II service. SHARON would
appreciate hearing from anyone regarding him and added that she "would
love to find a picture of my dad." Contact her at
shashll@mchsi.com.
NATIONAL AIRBORNE DAY - The concept of
making 16 October a permanent National Airborne Day was recently
proposed. On May 13, 2008 the House of congress submitted Resolution
Number 348 and the Senate followed with Concurrent Resolution 80.
The resolutions urge the
President to designate a National Airborne Day in recognition of persons
who are serving or ) have served in the Airborne forces of the Armed
Services. It cites the long and honorable history of Airborne units who
have and are fighting for the nation's freedom and peace. At this point
the resolution has not yet been passed.
KEN HAMILL, Secretary of the 508th
Airborne Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, is striving
to update the 508th history. Based on the collective recall of the
association membership and other sources, KEN states, "From what we know
now, the 508 has been activated and inactivated between 8 and 11 times.
Sometimes the 3-508 would be active in Panama while the 1-508 and/or
2-508 were serving with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft Bragg or
elsewhere."
But, KEN SAYS there is a major gap to be
filled, i.e., "Did the 1st Bn stand down between Vietnam and Grenada?
How many times and when did the 508th battalions of the 82nd Airborne
division stand up or stand down between 1964 and 1985?" If you recall
specifics, contact KEN at kJwmill@mchsi. com.
MEMORY LANE - THAD RUSSELL wrote recently
that he recalled that his grandmother and her infant daughter (THAD's
mom) went to visit his grandpa BILL GIEGOLD (Company F) at Camp Mackall
when the 508th was in training. During the visit "this fellow pinned a
parachute pin on mom's lapel. Mom gave me the pin and it now resides on
my grandpa's hat in my room."
THAD remembered that his grandfather had
said the man's name was "ADAM SOB-CHECK" and that he was killed on
D-Day." THAD decided to search the 508th web site for the name. It took
some looking to figure out who the trooper had actually been but THAD
found the name of ADAM F. SOBEZYK (also in company F) on the web site's
Roll of Honor.
He surmises that SOBEZYK was the person that gave his mother the
parachutist wings way back in 1 943. Although the official date doesn't
exactly match GlEGOLD's recollection, (ADAM is listed as killed in
action on June 17, 1944). That date may actually reflect when SOBEZYK's
body was recovered and his death actually being on D-Day is quite
possible.
Given that we are on the
cusp of the Normandy anniversary, it is fitting that Pvt SOBEZYK and all
the other 508ers who gave their lives during those 33 days of com¬bat
are especially remembered this month.
The anniversary of D-Day is upon us and
many Veterans, family and friends have made plans to visit Normandy as
well as other important locations pertinent to the 508th history. Next
year, of course, is the "biggie," marking 65 years since our
paratroopers leaped into the tracer filled sky over Normandy. Numerous
Veterans, family members and friends are plan¬ning on making a return
visit in 2009.
SICK CALL JOE ANDREW (HQ 1st) is in
hospital at the time of this writing. He is having problems with
compli¬cations due to diabetes. JOE had to have his right leg amputated
on April 30th due to lack of circulation. He is also receiving kidney
dialysis. JOE is waiting to hear what the doctors say about his left leg
before he decides whether to continue treatment
For those of you who would like to
send a card, JOE's address is 83 Woodlawn Dr, Cleveland, GA 30528. If
you would like to call him, his cell phone is (706) 969-4002.
NOTE: Since this writing, JOE has taken his final jump.
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SEND NEWS FOR THE COLUMN
TO:
Dick O’Donnell
760 Conestee Drive
Melbourne, FL 32904
PH: (321) 759-6174
e-mail:
Jumpmaster@508PIR.org
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