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Post by The Phantom on Nov 6, 2008 1:17:09 GMT 8
All good news Scott! Glad his sister Connie thought it was good thing, and not disturbing to her. We look forward to the pictures you will be sending. Here is an updated, clearer photo of Matthew's dog tags. I had someone with a good camera, and the know how, take the pictures for me. We are glad to bring joy to your family, and pay our respects to Matthew at the same time.
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 11, 2008 1:59:44 GMT 8
I have forwarded your pictures of Matthew's grave to EXO for the website.
I have received the package from the Army about Matthew, his death and his bodies return to the U.S. I will have to condense the information but will put it on this website. The information was more than 3/4th inch thick.
Some general 503rd history from the time contained, as well as specifics about Matthew. The information sent to us by the Army explains his mother's efforts to bring her son home in 1949.
Many problems faced her even when his body was finally identified. An example, not enough steel to make the coffin to send him home in.
Our having both his dog tags today, meant he wasn't wearing them when his body was recovered of course. He was therefore M.I.A. after the war.
Matthew had a difficult trip home but his mother and sister worked hard to get him back to the U.S.A. as witnessed by all their correspondences in the packet.
As I stated, I will get the new information on the Website as possible. I trust you will filter what his sister sees Scot if anything is to upset her.
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 14, 2008 3:59:00 GMT 8
Our family appreciates everything you have done in getting my great uncle's dog tags back to the family.
I am very interested in reading the file on my Great Uncle that you received from the Army. If possible, I would like to get a copy. Please let me know if that is possible.
I am going to see my Great Aunt this Sunday 16 Nov. Could not get together with her this weekend as our schedules did not match up. I just spoke with her and she did find a picture of Matthew that she is willing to share with all. So, I will have that piece of the puzzle to send along early next week and hopefully a photo of her also.
Would it be possible to get a picture of you included in the package when you send the dog tags? A friend of mind is a free lance reporter for one of our local papers and would like to do a story about this extraordinary event.
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 14, 2008 4:06:34 GMT 8
Its interesting in life how some things work out. On my last trip to Corregidor I brought a 48 star U.S. flag, like the one that flew over Corregidor in 1942 and 1945. I had brought it to fly on February 16th, the anniversary of the landing on Corregidor of the 503rd. I flew the flag that day and from that time your great Uncles dog tags have been in the folds of that flag, on Corregidor, on the flight back to the States, and here in my home. I have therefore decided to send you the flag that I flew that day. It also marks the anniversary of Matthew's death on Corregidor. It seems only right to send him home this way. The Flag raising ceremony this past February. The 2008 Flag Party - L to R: Karl Welteke (USA), John Moffitt (Canada), Steve Foster (USA), Paul Whitman (Australia), Tom Aring (USA) We will post some of the information from the Army soon. We look forward to seeing the pictures you are forwarding from Matthew's sister.
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 22, 2008 0:20:35 GMT 8
Scott, After relearning the FedEx mailing system, (not all items mailed now go in official FedEx envelopes), only airmail. They now SELL you the envelope you need, on site, for ground shipping. My guess is it was to help cover the cost of transportation when oil was spiraling out of control, which is now a mute point, below $50.00 a barrel today. Air mail is 3 times the price for the same package so Matthew is going to take a little longer to get home.
I mailed 2 envelopes today.
1/ contains the army reports. That package may be dropped off at the house.
2/ The dog tags and the Corregidor flown flag are in a separate package which must be signed for to receive. Why not both? That also costs more money. No wonder DHL has gone out of business! At any rate if you are not at the address to receive and sign for the Dog Tag package, it will go back to your local delivering FedEx office where you can pick it up with an I.D.
The FedEx tracking #'s 468814610079987 468814610079994
All at the FedEx office were amazed at the story behind Matthew's Dog Tags as i packed them up for mailing. I let one young fellow hold them after he asked if he could see them. They were in awe.
So Matthew's tags are finally on their way home.
What do you intend to do with them Scott?
The 48 star flag can be flown on special occasions as I have done my old flag.
I will be putting parts of the report on the website soon. Matthew's sister has a lot of letters in the package I sent you today. She may be interested in rereading them. There are 117 pages in total.
I see EXO put the whole motley crew up for all to see. That was a good day.
Let us know on this forum when you receive your packages from FedEx.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2008 0:02:51 GMT 8
Thanks Tom.
I understand the reasons behind the Fed Ex decisions and if my great uncle takes a little longer to get home so be it. At least he is on his way home.
I am on vacation this week and should be around the house most of the time so hopefully I will be here when Fed Ex arrives. If not, the pickup facility is only 10 miles from my house and I can go get the packages.
I will certainly let everyone know when I do receive the packages.
I know what you mean about folks being in awe. The story has gotten out here and folks are amazed by the story of the dog tags. I mentioned that one of the local newspapers is interested in doing a story and if they do, I will be sure to send a copy to you & post a copy on the website. I will give the dog tags and flag to my Great Aunt. I would like to place the flag and dog tags in an appropriate wooden flag case to preserve for generations to come. I would also place a copy of the email stories, photos, and research that everyone has done to get to this point in the back of the case. But, it's up to my great aunt and I will abide by her wishes.
The one last photo that I will place on the website and in the flag case would be my Great Aunt receiving her brother's dog tags 63 years after his death.
Thanks for all you have done Tom and Happy Thanksgiving!
Scott
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 25, 2008 0:50:01 GMT 8
Good for you Scott, that sounds great, good that you may be home for delivery.
With the tracking numbers, you may be able to see the scheduled delivery day online, or schedule it yourself?
We wanted to get Matthew's tags, the 48 star flag (flown on the old flag pole, in front of the headquarters building), and the report from the Army, sent prior to the holiday rush which starts after Thanksgiving, this Thursday.
We have all been glad to make this possible. You have done a great job on your end for Matthew, his sister and your family, now and into the future..
Look forward to seeing the picture of you folks when everything is delivered.
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 25, 2008 1:25:46 GMT 8
From the Dept. Of The Army Report received November, 2008
Individual Deceased Personnel File
Matthew D. Musolino
The paperwork is in chronological order in most cases, the most recent to the oldest. I have numbered the pages to keep them as received.
Handwritten letter follows;
"March 1, 1955
Dear Sir, Recently I wrote you regarding a grave marker for my deceased sons grave. I sincerely regret that I have called it a grave marker, because I already have that, thank you. What I meant and should have called it was the stand for the flag- its a metal holder for the flag. I noticed that all other service men (deceased) have one and I would so like to have one.
Thank you so very much,
I am gratefully yours, Mrs Angelina Musolino 178 Brook St. Hartford Conn."
Army response......
"Dear Mrs Musolino,
Reference is made to your letter of recent date, relative to the furnishing of a metal flag holder for the grave of your son, the late Matthew D Musolino, a deceased member of the Armed Forces. The U.S. Army does not furnish the type of marker desired. However, it is suggested you contact the American legion, or other patriotic or civic organizations for assistance in securing the type of flag holder desired, inasmuch as these organizations in many instances make for provision for the procurement of flags and holders for the graves of Veterans on Memorial day.
Sincerly yours, James Gerard Lt. Colonel QMC Memorial Division "
Did he get one? Does he have one still? Did you notice one there Scott? This was the first thing in Matthew's file, or the last correspondence with the Army under his name.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2008 4:08:44 GMT 8
Tom -
I did not see a stand for a flag.
The flag that was present appeared to have had the wooden pole inserted into the ground. I believe a boy scout troop from town assists the local VFW/American Legion with this effort on Veterans & Memorial Day.
I plan on visiting the cemetery this upcoming weekend to place Christmas wreaths on the graves. I will check around the grave site to see if a flag holder is there. If not, I will contact the local VFW/American Legion and see what they can do.
I will also ask my Great Aunt about this to see if she recalls a flag holder being placed on her brother's grave sometime after my Great Grandmother's letter.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Best Regards, Scott
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2008 3:27:51 GMT 8
All -
Matthew D. Musolino is finally home!
I just received the 2 Fed Ex packages that contained his dog tags, the 48 star flag, and information from his personnel file.
Our thanks and deepest gratitude to everyone who made this possible.
Scott Vujs
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