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Post by tmayer on Dec 29, 2014 3:25:40 GMT 8
Mark your calendars now!
More info to come...
My grandfather served in the 503rd and passed away twenty years ago. I went to my first reunion last year. All Veterans, family and friends of the 503rd are welcomed! Come for as long as you can, even if just for a day. We would love to meet you!
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Post by rik on Dec 29, 2014 18:51:21 GMT 8
Having spent the last 14 years in Vicenza, Italy working with the 173rd, I have several 503rd members on my FB friends list...with your permission, I'd like to try to forward this to as many of them as possible. Perhaps we can try to connect some of the new generation with the old...
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Post by Registrar on Dec 29, 2014 21:20:50 GMT 8
Rik,
I encourage you to do this. I have tried for years to bring the new generation into the WWII group. That was what the Heritage Bn was created for. Some appreciated it, some didn't. I think that those who are still with us are more likely now to talk about it. Best of luck!
Paul
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Post by tmayer on Dec 30, 2014 3:16:46 GMT 8
I concur with Paul.
In fact, members of the 503rd PRCT were present at 173D Airborne Brigade Reunion held in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2010.
Todd
The info below was taken from corregidor.org/503rd_Association/Contents.htm.
2-6 June 2010
503rd Members were treated as special guests at the 173D Airborne Brigade Reunion What began as an idea to showcase the 503rd PRCT in the April edition of 2/503d Vietnam Newsletter has grown to several of our members attending the 173D Reunion in Myrtle Beach, SC, June 2-6! The May edition of their newsletter gives bios of: Chuck Breit; John Cleland; Paul Hinds; Charley Hylton; Sleepy Linton and Chet Nycum. Chuck, John, Paul, Charley and Chet will participate in an interactive presentation called “Operation Corregidor” on Friday, June 4, 4:00-5:30 p.m. Dee, Clara (I think), Ginny, Edith, Margee Linton and other family members will be accompanying the men to this reunion. This opportunity was made possible by Lew Smith, editor of the 2/503d Vietnam Newsletter as well many members of the 173d who have given financial support to make this happen! Thank you, Paul Whitman, webmaster of the 503rd Heritage Battalion, for putting Smitty in touch with us! Those attending will have lots to share with us and we look forward to hearing about their trip!
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Post by rik on Dec 30, 2014 7:56:20 GMT 8
I won't lie, I've been constantly confused and disappointed by the chasm between the "old" and "new" 503rd. As I've been told, part of the problem is that the 503rd now falls under the 173rd ABN BDE and the leadership of the 173rd prefers that anything "official" be pursed through official 173rd channels. I personally think this is bullshit as most of the 503rd's history took place before they fell under the 173rd. But, with today's officer corps worrying more about being PC and not making waves, I don't see it changing any time soon, except for the worse.
For my part, I have tons of friends from the 503rd who are justifiably proud of being part of such a prestigious outfit and I'm hoping we can bridge the gap, if only a bit. I will do my part, for whatever it's worth.
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Post by Registrar on Dec 30, 2014 8:54:51 GMT 8
You have hit the nail square on the head. The 503d WWII men, some of who started in the Test Platoon, had been left fairly much to do things "their way", which was not necessarily always the Army way. The 503d were like a branch which was left to develop on its own - recall that the entire paratrooper doctrine was being re-examined with a view to it being declared a failure - and it wasn't until the Nadzab jump gave the doctrine its validity. An unintended consequence of this was that the highest rank in the 503d was Colonel, and when it came to getting supplied, colonels eat after the generals. Thus the 503d was poorly supplied by the Army. There was also a difference between the West Point officers, and those who weren't. This too built up a lot of residual distaste for the regular Army, ie the way that they did things. Thus, when the 503d was rolled into the 511th (a junior outfit) and ceased to exist for a period, the resentment of the 503d WWII men remained under the surface.
So, as the theory goes, the 173d comes along as a Brigade, and airborne outfits are placed within and under it. The 173d officers naturally feel that they are superiors to the lesser outfits, big Army tells them so. This continues even when they are all retired - the big membership stays under the Brigade Association, which has the links and the money. The big Army philosophy doesn't take well to the concepts of the 503d being the titular origin of the whole shebang, primus inter pares if you will. They don't take well to the WWII Association declaring that ranks not be used - if you're a general, it's hard to be called Bill or Jack by a former EM. It's hard to let go of the Rank Has Its Privileges, and that's the fork in the road where the 503d WWII and 503d 173d Brigade went in different directions.
I never had the ear of anyone in the 173d to discuss a possible way around this, to explain that it wasn't too late to bring ALL the 503d WWII men to the point where they could recognize their post-war sons. Thus, I am very much in favor of getting the 503d WWII people to celebrate their heritage with their "sons" or "brothers", call them what you will. Through that they will attract younger men into learning more about what it was really like in the early days. It is a bit like the Regimental System which exists among the famous regiments of the British Army. I think that's a bit too much to ask of Washington. But, heck, we're dealing with a dozen or so retired men in their 90's who don't necessarily need to toe the PC line. How much is that going to hurt, eh?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2015 13:09:39 GMT 8
Is what I read here correct? That family members are allowed to attend this reunion? If that is true, I'd be proud to attend and learn as much as I can.
Though I arrived at my first reunion asa stranger, not even family, I left with about a hundred friends. I encourage you to go, and if you can grab a camera, to film interviews. You must do your homework first, read whatever you can grab between now and then. the more you already know, the better will be your interview. - Registrar -
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Post by tmayer on Jan 3, 2015 22:26:23 GMT 8
Is what I read here correct? That family members are allowed to attend this reunion? If that is true, I'd be proud to attend and learn as much as I can. Though I arrived at my first reunion asa stranger, not even family, I left with about a hundred friends. I encourage you to go, and if you can grab a camera, to film interviews. You must do your homework first, read whatever you can grab between now and then. the more you already know, the better will be your interview. - Registrar - Absolutely, plan to attend!
Per my response to blbarnes
Hello, blbarnes
I passed your photos around to the guys. Unfortunately, the men in the photos were not recognized. The men at the reunion were from the 2nd BN, 462d and 161st. But please, don’t get discouraged. I learned a lot from this reunion… I went looking for information about my grandfather and found it, but it’s much greater than that. Even though the men there did not recognize or remember your great uncle, Your Family, and that’s the way you will be treated. It’s much more than just the war stories (and I heard a few), it’s about the life and families these men had and the common thread that ties it all together.
While In Terra Haute, I visited a Veterans museum. In the museum was a copy of G Co members KIA. The top said “That others May Live, These Died”. And the fact that you’re here and I’m here….. That’s what it’s all about. I hope to meet you at the next reunion.
bradjudy... that goes for you too! And all other 503rd PRCT family members and Friends\Supporters who participate or regularly view these posts.
Read more: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/1651/photographs-503rd-verlin-stewart-friends#ixzz3NlhJcEaL
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Post by tmayer on Apr 13, 2015 4:15:40 GMT 8
2015
503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team, WWII Registration Information
Calling All Veterans, Family Members and Friends of the 503rd PRCT and 503rd Lineage
For those who are interested, please contact me at tmayer@++++.rr.com
replace +++++ with Columbus
or
If you are a member of this forum, send me a message
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2015 5:24:35 GMT 8
Todd, Sent our reservations yesterday, at least 9 members of our family plan to attend. I also would like to extend an invitation to family members and Friends of the WWII 503 RCT to attend. You WILL be welcomed. And to those of you who may be passing through Terre Haute on your way to or from the reunion, do check in at the Veterans Museum, it's about the Men and Women who served, and is an interesting tribute. See you soon! Susan
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