| Name: | Sharon White-Wells |
| E-mail address: | rewells@kansas.net |
| Comments: | Love the new site. Beautiful and well done. |
| Name: | Martijn |
| E-mail address: | martijnencindy@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.facesbeyondthegraves.com |
| Comments: | great website! Love the music :-) Keep up the good work! |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| Comments: | Tony,
Thanks so much for adding the Margraten Cemetery link showing the opening of the only cemetery in Holland and where PFC Andrew Scalf, my father, is buried. It is such a beautiful cemetery now. The Dutch people love our Americans and every single grave of 8,003 graves is adopted and cared for by the Dutch people. It is said that every time a grave was dug, this song was sung. AND Thank YOU for loving our RABBS and honoring their time spent in your beautiful country in 1943-44 with this website. We are so grateful to you. Brenda |
| Name: | Brenda Burchfield |
| Comments: | Another old soldier passed away. William (Daddy) Bensky passed away on December 23. He had an intracranial hemorrhage on December 22 and was gone the next day. He died peacefully at home with all of his family gathered around. God Bless all of You Rabbs.
from Helen Bensky |
| Name: | "Smooth Turret" Teddy |
| E-mail address: | lgbtted@3wins.compuserve |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123450471002828&v=wall |
| Comments: | Happy New Year
Roy was a wonderful human being. I know what he was gunning for, both on and off the battlefield. I could never get as close a shave as he could. He and I had a thing we swore we would never talk about. We met by chance, and almost immediately, we thought the Germans would separate us. Literally. So with not much time but to share human companionship we both experienced something a little different. I know he is smiling no all of us now. He was a dear, compassionate man. Great site, and keep up the good work! |
| Name: | Tony Brooks |
| Comments: | Wishing all our visitors and members of the 455th AAA,
A Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy new year.. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-0Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Comments: | Today we heard of the death of our much beloved Roy Tucker. He never knew how amazing and wonderful he was. He was the most humble and sweet man I've ever known. The world will miss this man. Right now, Roy is probably conversing with the 455th AAAers who've gone before. I bet he and Gene Summey are discussing the trip to England, after which each of them told me that it was the highlight of their lives besides their families highlights.
God Bless Roy Tucker........sail on to the beautiful light. xoxox |
| Name: | Tony,Tracey,Cherese Curtislee |
| Homepage URL: | http://England |
| Comments: | I am proud to have known and honoured that I had been given the chance to meet Roy Tucker. A truly amazing man who held so much regard and respect for England. A man who was proud of and to have served his country. Our condolences to his family.
We remember and often speak about Roy, The first time I met Roy was on the bus travelling on the bus to one of our venues in the dedication year of 2000. He was sitting behind to elderly ladies chatting to them about his time spent in England, you could see they were so interested in him, for each time he paused they said “ tell us more”, The two ladies were of the same period so could converse with Roy so easily, this put a smile on Roy’s face and was so happy to be able to talk about his time, he told me later he just didn’t think anyone would be interested, how wrong he was I told him. How he loved the sing a longs of the war time songs we played on the bus. Each year Roy would write me but later as he began to find it hard to write he went onto to send me a recorded message on cassette tape telling me more about his adventures when serving for his country. The world has lost such an honest man but god has gained yet another Angel. I along with my family will truly miss him. In the words of the great Vera Lynn. “ We’ll Meet again, don’t know where don’t know when “. God Bless Roy. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | This is for anyone who is affiliated with the 455th AAA:
We are having our very last 455th reunion in Nashville, TN on June 21-24, 2012 at Guesthouse Inns and Suites on Music Valley Drive. To reserve a room at the special price, call this number 615 885 4030. We will have no gifts of any kind...no raffle, no men/women group. Since is the end....we hope you will come to say goodbye. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | This is for anyone who is affiliated with the 455th AAA:
We are having our very last 455th reunion in Nashville, TN on June 21-24, 2012 at Guesthouse Inns and Suites on Music Valley Drive. To reserve a room at the special price, call this number 615 885 4030. We will have no gifts of any kind...no raffle, no men/women group. Since is the end....we hope you will come to say goodbye. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Comments: | I love to go through your website.....it brings back memories..some joyful and some sad. |
| Name: | Wanda Sory |
| E-mail address: | wsory@comcast.net |
| Comments: | This is wonderful. I saw pictures of my dad when he wasn't sick and was able to enjoy being with people again.
|
| Name: | Brenda |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Comments: | We are all looking forward to gathering in Nashville, TN for our upcoming 51st reunion! A big thank you to Tony for caring for our 455th AAA Memorial in England. |
| Name: | Pamela Thompson Meyers |
| E-mail address: | meypm@aol.com |
| Comments: | I am the daughter Howard William Thompson. The Rabbs jn C Battery. My father passed away on November 9th 2010. |
| Name: | Tony |
| Comments: | I have placed some images which includes the Rabbs Memorial in Watton, which can now be found on http://www.panoramio.com/
Just use the "Search Place" at the bottom of the opening page, Just type in "Watton Norfolk UK", along with the memorial you can also view other images of Watton. Images can also be found on "Google Maps".... Best Wishes to all. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | Just a note to the Rabbs to let you folks know that I have been in contact with family members of some of our departed Rabbs and have learned something very interesting. Until the 455th Battalion Journal was officially closed in May of 1945, 3 men (Lt. Col. Sargent, Lt. Meyer Goldfarb and SSgt. Walter Land) were the only Rabbs known to have received the French Croix de Guerre during WW2. However, in documents I have just discovered--I find that two other men received the award in late October of 1945. They were Tech. 4 George McAlpine (a dental technician with the 455th, he served as the dentist for months after the Dental Officer left the unit and before another dentist could be found), and Sgt. Sidney Frick of 'D' Battery. Thus, five (5) men received the Croix de Guerre during WW2. |
| Name: | Jasper van Haren |
| E-mail address: | jappieyo@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com |
| Comments: | Hi Brenda, what a wonderful tribute to Andrew James Scalf and the 455th Anti Aircraft Artillery. Thanks for sharing this with me. Cheers from the Netherlands :) |
| Name: | Jasper |
| E-mail address: | jappieyo@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.adoptiegraven-database.nl/ |
| Comments: | What a wonderful website, and great tribute to Andrew James Scalf. Thanks for showing this Brenda :) |
| Name: | Shirley Mullins |
| E-mail address: | sgm34@cox.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://Rabbs Guestbook |
| Comments: | Connie McEwen was my Grandmother's nephew. My Grandmother, Elizabeth Greer, was his father's sister. I remember when they got the news of his death how it worried her so much! I was only 10 years old at the time, but it made a lasting impression on me. I know she would be happy to know that they have more information on him now! |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Comments: | Thanks, guys, for your help!! |
| Name: | Colette Roberts |
| E-mail address: | colette.roberts50@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Today marks the first anniversary of Daddy's Rebirth and going home to be with Mama. He is truly missed, but I know he is much happier now that he and Mama are back together. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to meet all of you and to keep Daddy's memory going with the 455th. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | I also sent off for Connie McEwen's IDPF (Individual Deceased Personnel File) from the Army. It has been a 4 mo. wait so far, but it usually takes as much as a year...I hope to learn exactly how he died. All I have so far is a vet telling me that he was shot by mistake by a sentry---a 'friendly fire' death. Lt. Gaston of 'B' Btry indicated in his personnel book that McEwen was 'killed in action'. And--the 455th Bn. Journal merely said (for that day's entry) that one man was killed and 2 injured, but gave no details on exactly what happened. I would like to talk to any relative(s) who might know the full story. |
| Name: | Tony Brooks |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.tngenweb.org/benton/goldstarboys1.html |
| Comments: | Link above to view details on Connie McEwen.
Awaiting contact from website master. |
| Name: | Tony Brooks |
| Comments: | Following Brenda's request below, (Connie McEwen), photo uploaded to 455th group on facebook |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Comments: | Jim,
Thank you so very much for this information. You always come up with something I didn't know and can add to my storehouse of knowledge on the 455th. You're a jewel!! |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | On this day, the 35th Infantry Division stood directly in the path of the 167th VolksGrenadiers and the 1st SS Panzers. Many men of the 455th AAA had been transferred to Regiments of the 35th Division in mid-December, 1944. Some of the men who went into the 134th and 137th Inf. were my father, John Chandler, also-Guy Bredlinger, Jerry Coppola, Jimmie Kelly, Lee Snidow, and Andrew Scalf (father of Brenda Scalf-Burchfield) and some 65 others. The fight would go on for a number of days. My father's 1/134th attacked south from Marvie, Belgium (near Bastogne) to clear the woods at Lutrebois on Jan. 4th. Guy Bredlinger was with him. Dad was later wounded near Weiswampach, Luxembourg, near the end of the campaign (Jan 26, 1945). Brenda's father was in Co. E, 137th Inf. They fought to the south of my Dad's unit, around Villers-la-Bonne-Eau. Two of their companies were cut off and 168 men were captured. Andrew Scalf was able to avoid this fate (being in a different Company), but was later killed in Feb. of 1945 near Aachen, Germany.... The 455th AAA was very fortunate during the War to avoid the large casualties of the Infantry. Remember all of our men today...I also want the 455th brotherhood to know that I have re-located Fred Perkins of the 455th ('C' Btry., Gun Crew #8). He is alive and well in Mt. Holly, NC and is approaching his 90th birthday! |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Homepage URL: | http://4455th |
| Comments: | Does anyone know anything about the family of Connie M. McEwen , 455thAAA from Tennessee? We visited his grave in NORMANDY and left a rose. I also took a picture and would like to send it to the family. If you are reading this and you have any information write me at brenaburch@aol.com. TThank you. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | This is to inform the RABB community that Martin U. Watson of Tennessee died on July 4th, 2010. He and wife Edna used to attend the reunions regularly. Martin, whose 455th AAA nickname was "Bulldog", was in Battery 'C', gun crew #4, as the Lateral Gun Pointer on the 40mm. He provided me with numerous photos of he and his friends at earlier 455th reunions...He was 89 yrs. young...His serial number was 34326840. He was born in Tennessee in 1921, attended grammar school, and listed his civilian occupation category as "semiskilled chauffers and drivers, bus, taxi, truck and tractor"...He enlisted in WW2 service on Sept. 24, 1942 from Benton County, TN. His enlistment took place at Camp Forrest, TN. He served throughout the War with the 455th and visited Berchtesgaden at War's end...Our condolences to Edna and Martin's family... |
| Name: | Hal Burroughs |
| E-mail address: | hfb3rd@aol.com |
| Comments: | I was amazed to find my way to this website and community yesterday while doing research on concentration camps liberated by the western allies. My father was Capt. Henry Burroughs (1917-1968) who served as 455th Battalion adjutant, Headquarters Battery BC, and D Battery BC. Although both of my parents have been gone a long time, they could not be more vividly remembered, and in the case of my father, I am sure nothing was more formative in his life than his wartime experiences with this unit. I met a number of great people and heard about many others remembered here while growing up in the 1950's. I knew they left a powerful legacy but I didn't realize how many others knew, or would have the opportunity to learn, until I saw this site. Thank you so much. I have some pictures and documents which may not be new, but will copy for you.
Los Angeles, CA |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | Just some notes on Floro Mackie, who passed away in Sept. of this year---I had a letter from Floro in 1997 and a conversation with him in 1999 for the 455th AAA History. Floro was in 'B' Battery and his serial number was 34326758. He enlisted at Camp Forrest TN on Sept. 24, 1942 from Putnam County, TN. He was born Dec. 12, 1920 and died on Sept. 4, 2010, aged 89. When he enlisted, he was married, had attended grammar school, and his occupational specialty was listed as "unskilled Lumbermen, Raftsmen, and Wood Choppers"...He indicated to me that he had been in the 4th gun crew ('Hornet') of 'B' Battery and was a range finder on the 40mm gun of that crew. While in England, he said that he had met his brother, which was 'a very happy meeting'. While on the outskirts of Metz, France, he was hit by shrapnel from a German 88mm gun in the left upper arm and was sent to a field hospital. From there, he was sent to England. He developed an infected foot in England, drove an ambulance for awhile and didn't rejoin the 455th until after the war was over...In the 'B' Battery papers I have, he was shown listed with the members of the 6th gun crew ('Snortin' Bull') and was listed in Lt. Dick Gaston's unit log as 'Mackie'...He is shown on a photograph of the non-coms of 'B' Battery at Blandford, England in early 1944, before the invasion of Europe. He is wearing Corporal's stripes. His home over the years was in Sparta, TN...Rest in Peace, Floro ! |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Comments: | Our dear Flora Mackie passed away September 4. I didn't know it until today and did not post it in the RABB LEAF. So sorry.
Thanks to his daughter, Brenda, for informing us. Rest in Peace Flora Mackie of the 455thAAA AW (M) 1941-1945. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| E-mail address: | The 455thaaa@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thaaa |
| Comments: | Happy Holidays to all of you!
The RABB LEAF has been mailed. If you did not receive yours, please write to me at the address above. Love, Brenda |
| Name: | Colette Roberts |
| E-mail address: | coletteroberts50@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Didn't proof read too good. I have been without a computer. |
| Name: | Colette Roberts |
| E-mail address: | coletteroberts50@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I have been with a computer since before the reunion, but as you can see, I'm back.
I really wanted to say thank you to Brenda and everyone else who had something to do with getting the reunion together this year. It was wonderful and I really had a great time. Mama and daddy may have not been there physically, but I feel they were there spiritually. I really look forward to seeing all of you next year and I truly hope this time both of my kids will be with me. Jamie will be graduating just prior to when the reunion is normally held and if I can get the dates early enough for Curtis, he will be there also. Everyone take care and will see you next year. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455th |
| Comments: | This 455thAAA, 2010, 50th Anniversary Reunion was absolutely perfect from Thursday night until Sunday morning. It was just one of those events that you dream will go perfectly and hope that it will......but it never does. However, this one did!!! I wouldn't change one thing about it. The attendees wouldn't either, I'd bet.
Thank you to our more than wonderful veterans who made our freedoms possible. We missed our two faithful reunion men...Buford Devers and Gene Summey. We felt them with us every day. Their families were there for them tho.. Everyone pitched in to do whatever was necessary to make the reunion great. A huge thank you to Phyllis who booked us into a venue that was easy to work with. Thank you to all of the daughters and sons who worked to make this reunion a success. It was just that!! Thank you to Michael Young, our speaker..and our Bluegrass visitors, Good News. May God be with you'til we meet again... |
| Name: | Debbie Peeden Pierce |
| E-mail address: | deb1959@bellsouth.net |
| Comments: | To all our 455th family, just wanted to say thanks to everyone who made this years reunion a year to remember. We missed seeing two very special people this year Buford Devers and Gene Summey (may they rest in peace)Thank you to Jim Chandler for all his research and for making the DVD'S for our veterans. A special thank you to Brenda Burchfield; who puts her heart and sole into this reunion and thank you to Phyllis Young & Vicky Staton who do so much to make these reunions special. Watching our veterans sitting around talking about old times makes my heart swell with pride and brings tears to my eyes. And last but not least I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all veterans and soldiers past & present who fought or are fighting for our freedom. We appreciate you! |
| Name: | Phyllis Young |
| Comments: | To all our 455th family, we are looking forward to seeing all of you at the reunion this weekend. Remember we will be celebrating the 50th reunion. My Dad and Buford Devers got it started in 1960. Daddy said that when they first got it started, it was just "D" battery but as the years went by, it grew and others joined in. Can't wait to see everyone there!
Gene & Phyllis James Kerby |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | Bugs Bunny has now turned 70! Born in 1940, he became the symbol of the "Rabbs"...John Buck has been hospitalized several times this year. He turns 90 in October. Our thoughts go out to him and Dorothy, who used to regularly attend the Reunions...Also John Webb and Betty have moved to a new address in Knoxville. John's eyesight is getting bad and neither of them drive now. So let's remember them this year also... |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | I had a mental lapse on my last message on the Guestbook. The Battery 'C' man who died in 2005 is named James R. Brown (NOT 'Miller'). Don't know where I got that one from. He shot down five aircraft in one day and was 84 when he passed in Marion, NC. |
| Name: | Roy Griggs |
| E-mail address: | griggsfarms@surfmore.net |
| Comments: | Hello to everyone hope to see ya in August, as you can tell I don't get on this much or any computer but I do think of all of you. Hope you all the best and see ya soon.
Son of Flenory Griggs |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | Yes, I am working on another DVD for the 455th members for this year's Nashville Reunion...By the way, does everyone know when the FIRST reunion was held??? It was August 12, 1960. So this year is the 50th Anniversary of the first reunion!
I also have to announce the death of another Rabb, although I am late in finding it out. Sgt. James Miller of the 'C' Battery of the 455th died in Marion, NC in 2005. He was the man who received a Bronze Star in 1945 after shooting down five (5) German aircraft with 250 rounds of ammunition while traveling down the Autobahn in his Motor Pool truck, which mounted a single .50 cal. machine gun on its ring turret. I had the pleasure of talking to him via telephone in the 1990s. I was sorry to hear of his passing. If any of our reunion folks have photos (individual or unit) which they have NOT brought before, please bring to the Reunion, so that I may copy them on the spot and use in future DVDs. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Homepage URL: | http://455th |
| Comments: | For those who do not know, Jim Chandler is the 455th Historian. He is the person responsible for the children and spouses knowing "about" the 455thAAA. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jim, whose father was John Chandler, proud member of the 455thAAA. We'll see Jim and maybe wife Susan in August at the reunion..... with probably lots more information to share with us. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | Just a reminder that July 8th is upcoming and that will be the 66th anniversary of the landing of the 455th AAA units upon the French shore in 1944, on Utah Beach...
I have also been working with members of the 739th Field Artillery Bn. concerning the shootdown of "White 13" ME-109 on New Year's Day 1945 by our own Flenory Griggs of 'A' Battery of the 455th. New photos and artifacts of that day have come to life. For some of the details, see the following web site: http://www.pbase.com/bertone61/me_109 |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA |
| Comments: | Buford was a man in a million....good through and through. He started the WWII 455thAAA Reunions and was the one who asked Phyllis and me to continue with them after Faye.
We were all in love with Buford.....his smile and his always saying that very special thing to each person. Dearest Buford, Go softly into that good night and rest the eternal rest of the good and the faithful. May we meet again on day. |
| Name: | Phyllis Young |
| Comments: | I just learned that we lost another dear member of the 455th. Our precious Buford Devers died last night. He had just turned 90 on Monday. My thoughts and prayers go out to his sweet family. We loved him dearly and he will be missed. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf- Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Comments: | Father's Day
Remembering my father, Andrew Scalf, today. Also remembering all of the special men of the 455thAAA and The 35th Div, who are or were great fathers. ...and to all fathers everywhere. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Comments: | Please write to me if you'd like me to add your name to the Grand Ole Opry Concert ticket order on Saturday, August 28. That will follow a grand day of our actual reunion meeting, luncheon.....music,etc. We will have our own country/bluegrass band as our guest. Our veterans will be also playing in a jam session with them on Friday night. Please mark August 27-28 on your calendars now. Guest Inns and Suites, Music Valley Drive.
brenaburch@aim.com or The 455thaaa@aol.com BSB |
| Name: | Brenda Burchfield |
| Comments: | Just got back from, Holland where I visited three members of the 455thAAA buried there.... Wonderful Memorial Service for our dead WWII buried there.
More later....... |
| Name: | Tony & Tracey |
| E-mail address: | ENGLAND |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.gautonphotography.com/Events/New-folder/12402498_TtDMR#887267806_W225d-L-LB |
| Comments: | Pictures taken at Madingley American Memorial Ceremony 31st May 2010. Not taken by me.
http://www.gautonphotography.com/Events/New-folder/12402498_TtDMR#887267806_W225d-L-LB |
| Name: | The455th Reunion |
| Comments: | I called Nashville today and they assured me they are back up and running at the Guest House Inns and Suites, Music Valley Drive. Everything will be the same as always for the RABB REUNION on August 26-29 (ck in is 3pm on the 26th and check out is 11:00AM on Aug. 29).
Phyllis and I are checking in on Thursday, the 26th of August...but if you decide that you can only stay one night, please choose Friday, the 27th..... Most fun night:). 615 885 4030 The noon luncheon is at 12:00 Noon on Saturday. See you then!!! |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf Burchfield |
| Comments: | On this day May 7, 1945, Germany unconditionally surrendered. The end to a mad man and the Nazis. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | On this day in 1944, the 455th AAA Battalion moved to Camp Blandford, Wiltshire, England, for Deployment Training. They would be in France three months later. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalfl-Burchfield |
| Comments: | REMINDER
The 455thAAA Reunion is set for: August 26,27, and 28, 2010. Guesthouse Inns and Suites, Nashville, TN on Music Valley Road (near the Grand Ole Opry) just off Briley Parkway. Reservation number is: (use this number for our special deal) 615 885 4030 |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| Comments: | Remembering my father, PFC Andrew James Scalf who was killed in Gerderath, Germany on this day in 1945.
YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. |
| Name: | Colette Roberts |
| E-mail address: | coletteroberts50@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I wanted to say thank you to the many kinds words which I have received through cards and this guest book since the passing of my father, Gene Summey. He appreciated all of you and always enjoyed going to the reunions with mama. I am so glad and thankful that I had the opportunity to go with him last summer. Currently, I am in the process of making my plans to be there this summer in daddy's honor. Hope to see all of you again in Nashville. |
| Name: | Phebe Thompson |
| E-mail address: | phebethompson@gmail.com |
| Comments: | The family of Buford Devers was very saddened to learn of the death of Gene Summey. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. |
| Name: | Colette Summey Roberts |
| E-mail address: | coletteroberts50@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Last night after getting back here in S. Florida, I called Jim Chandler to thank he and his wife for attending the visitation not knowing until I spoke with his wife they had gone to the funeral home Friday night. While speaking with her, she let me know that he had placed something in the Dreambook in daddy's honor. So I have now pulled myself together where I can write this without letting the tears flow. I started reading the truly kind and wonderful comments that everyone had to say about daddy and before I got through 1/3 of Brenda's comments, the tears were flowing. By the time I finished reading, we could have had a flood. I want all of you to know that daddy truly did love going to the reunions. You will never know how proud and glad I am that I took daddy last summer. We had a wonderful time and were already planning our trip for August. I am planning now to be there in daddy's honor and you never know, I might even get Curtis there this summer to visit those of you that remember him from the trip to England. It would be so wonderful for him to hear the stories that all of you have to offer. Things he can one day pass on. All of you are such wonderful people and I am really glad that mama and daddy had all of you as friends. I am also proud to say that I met you and was made to feel a part of you. Thanks to all of you and May God Bless each of you now and forever. Looking forward to seeing all of you in August.
|
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| Homepage URL: | http://The 455thAAA.com |
| Comments: | Dear 455th Guestbook,
I certainly don't have Jim's long memories of Gene, but I do remember meeting him for the first time and the last time. When I met Gene, I thought how interesting he was to talk to and I..so...enjoyed listening to his memories of WWII. He was in the same Battery C as my father.His memories sort of became some of mine too. Gene was a tall and handsome man and and continued to be so until the last time I saw him only 5 months ago. His wife Irene was madly in love with him and after 50 some years it still showed. When she had to miss the reunions, Gene didn't come because he said he just couldn't go knowing how much they enjoyed going together. Gene came back to the reunion this year following her death. His daughter, Colette, flew up from Florida and drove him to his last reunion. Looking back, I am confident that this trip is one that Colette will never, ever regret making. I met Gene and all of the other veterans of the 455th eleven years ago (at my first reunion). Back then, many were still attending and still walked with a definite spring in their step. Those reunions were something that Gene always looked forward to because he said so. He and the guys just started in on the conversation that they had left the past year, or so it seemed. It was joyful to watch and to listen. Gene was one of the veterans who went back to England in 2000 to dedicate a memorial to the men of the 455th AAA AW (M) where they were stationed in WWII. On arrival there, the first thing Gene did (and after an overnight flight and a bus ride to Watton) was to walk over to where their camp was. He was so excited to find out that the camp was WHERE the memorial was going to be. Once... on our weeklong outings there, Gene discovered where he lived and even walked into where he took a showers then. He mentioned that they had NO warm water. It was a cold shower! We stopped the bus when we saw the farmer then, and Gene was introduced and had a nice long chat with him. Gene told me that this was one of the proudest moments of his life was traveling back to England and dedicating that 455th memorial. He was also pleased to have the opportunity to take Colette's son (and his grandson Curtis) back to where he was stationed when he was so young. Gene had a smile on his face the last time I saw him and he hugged me and told me he loved me and thanked me for everything I had done for the 455th. He also said he wished he had known my dad. He said he remembered his face, but that he didn't know him to talk to. He insisted that we have another picture made of the two of us....just like the one we had made in Watton. I don't know who took the picture, but I wish I had paid attention and asked for a copy. Dear, dear Gene...fly away, fly away to that beautiful land that awaits you. Thank you for the memories that we will all have of you. You were a gentle and honest gentleman....a man of that Greatest Generation. With love and so much appreciation for your friendship and what you have meant to everyone associated with the 455thAAA. We are sad, but not for you..only for ourselves. Brenda PS Find Andrew Scalf, my dad, and say hello and love from me. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | Gene Summey will be buried in one hour and, although I live closest to him, I will not be able to be there. But I can't help but think back over my associations with him over the years...Gene and my Dad grew up in Rex, a mill village in East Gastonia. Dad dated Gene's sister at one point. Gene gave me a photo of my Dad that I had never seen before...Dad and Gene went into the 455th AAA together, although in different Platoons of 'C' Battery. Gene was made a Corporal at Camp Stewart, Ga. in January of 1943...On Sept. 8th, 1943 Gene faced death for the first time as the USAT Gen. George S. Simonds, carrying the 455th AAA to Scotland, nearly rolled over and sank in the North Atlantic. Gene told me once that "the sailors were scared to death. WE didn't know any better..." ...While stationed at Watton, England, Gene told me that he went to Norwich to learn to dance. He told me this during our 2000 visit to England, while we were in Norwich. He said that two Red Cross girls conducted the dance training, but (due to lack of ladies) that men usually danced with men. He said he "couldn't get his feet to work". He took 3 lessons at 2-3 hours per lesson. While in Norwich, he also saw shows at the biggest theater there, the HIPPODROME...In mid-July, 1944, after the 455th AAA arrived in France, Gene watched American bombers hit St. Lo, while he was sitting on a water can, getting his head shaved bald (to prevent lice)...In mid-August, during the 'Race Across France', Gene's convoy got lost. When Lt. Charlie Field found them he asked them WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN??!!...On August 19th came the pivotal point of Gene's wartime experiences. Near Chartres, France, German troops trying to escape from Normandy found the Americans between them and open country. One of them tried to bayonet Gene, as Gene lay asleep in his foxhole. Only Everett Baucom (one of Gene's gun crew members) could save Gene and he did so by using his Tommy gun on the German. The German died but Gene lived. This one event ensured Gene of another 65 years of life! In 1997, at his home, Gene showed me the mess kit and the bayonet of the German who tried to kill him. Hopefully, these will be kept forever as treasured items by his family...As Gene's unit neared Metz, France, a local inhabitant told them that there were no Germans ahead. It was a lie, and as Gene's group drove forward, a burst of artillery shells came all around them. Gene was knocked off his vehicle and still has a piece of the shrapnel he found in his vehicle. That was his third potentially fatal incident during the War...Gene did survive, of course, and it was my pleasure to know him. My wife has a beautiful wooden jewelry box that Gene made. It shows talent and skill on Gene's part. He was also a care-giver for his wife Irene in her declining years. In short, Gene was everything one could expect of the "Greatest Generation"...Goodbye Gene and God bless you!!! |
| Name: | The family of Edward Peeden |
| E-mail address: | deb1959@bellsouth.net |
| Comments: | So sad time to hear the news of Gene's passing, we are so glad he made it to the reunion last year. It is our loss but heavens gain. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Homepage URL: | http://455th |
| Comments: | Gene Summey was one of the 455thAAA Veterans who travelled back to England where he was stationed during WWII. There, he along with all of us..dedicated the 455thAAA Memorial in England. He said going back where he was stationed was one of his proudest hours in his life.
Today, he's gone. We will always miss him. Whenever I look at a picture of oour memorial, I will think of Gene. Thanks for the memories......... |
| Name: | Brooks family |
| E-mail address: | United Kingdom |
| Comments: | It is a trully sad time to hear the loss of such a strong charater as Gene, we have fond memories of the reunion, One of which Tracey recalls & especialy remembers given Gene and all a lift back to Watton town from the 455th memorial after that heavey down poor when we all got pretty wet. We all loved to hear of his memories and his time at Watton..
He will trully be missed. God gains yet another angel, we loss some one real special. Our condolences to the family. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Comments: | It is a sad day. My RABB friend, Gene Summey, passed away today...two hours ago.
Sail away to see your beloved Irene. We will miss you always. It was such a pleasure to know and love you. |
| Name: | The 455thAAA Memorial Group |
| Comments: | Happy New Year to all Rabbs and their Families!
Our reunion is set for this coming August of 2010. Dates: August 27-29, 2010 Guest House Inns and Suites Music Valley Drive Nashville, TN More details later.... |
| Name: | Mike Johnson |
| E-mail address: | MJson@figurespace.com |
| Comments: | This is the time to question your own life.
1 Are you a nice person. 2 Do you understand the meaning of Christmas. 3 Do you care about others. 4 Do you indulge to much. 5 Do you have enough in your life. 6 Do you have to much in your life. Perhaps you should reconsider your life. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| E-mail address: | the455thaaa@aol.com |
| Comments: | If you haven't received your RABB LEAF, please let me know.
BSB |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Comments: | December 7, 1941....Pearl Harbor
We will never forget our men who died there. Rest In Peace....dear comrades. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Comments: | The RABB LEAF will be flying next Monday... |
| Name: | Brenda-Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Comments: | To N.blitz@web.de
Thank you so much for writing to our 455th website. My good friend, Guido Brinkmeyer from Germany, has translated your message for me and I'd like to thank you for your kind words. Any pictures you have, you can email me at my email address above. Brenda Scalf Burchfield Daughter of PFC Andrew Scalf Margraten in The Metherlands |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455aaa.com |
| Comments: | I am working on the 2009 holiday issue of The RABB LEAF. Please feel free to write me with anything you wish to add.... thank yous, announcements, obituaries, stories, congratulations, etc. etc.
I'd appreciate hearing from you before Thanksgiving. You can email it to me at brenaburch@aol.com Here's hoping I hear from you! |
| Name: | Norbert Sablowski |
| E-mail address: | N.blitz@web.de |
| Comments: | My Englisch is not goot soory !
Ich bin aus Gerderath und habe alles gelesen. Ich ferneige mich vor diesen Soldaten der sein Leben für unsere freiheit gab. Ich würde der Familie gerne Bilder von Gerderath über E-Mail senden wenn sie möchte. Mit vielen Grüßen aus Germany (Gerderath) Norbert Sablowski |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | I regret to inform the Rabbs of the death of Carl L Mock in 2000, at age 78. Carl was wounded in action during the War with the 455th AAA. He was in Battery 'B', 2nd Platoon, gun crew #6 ("Snortin' Bull"). His gun crew was credited with 6 1/2 German aircraft shotdown in WWII. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | I regret to inform the Rabbs of the death of Glenn C. Pearson of Gastonia, at age 89. Glenn was a 455th AAA veteran, having served with Battery 'C', 2nd Platoon, gun crew #6 (with John R. Davis). He passed away on October 25, 2009. |
| Name: | Teresa Pittman Burd |
| E-mail address: | dlburd@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | My grandfather was Kenneth Roscoe Pittman. He belonged to B Btry of the 455th. He would never speak of the war and finding this site has given me a look at a part of my grandfather's life that we were never privy to. Thank you to all who served and to the family members who care enough to honor these veterans.
If anyone has photos or knows of my grandfather during the war, please share. |
| Name: | Stella Wray |
| E-mail address: | swray10160@aol.com |
| Comments: | I again enjoyed the reunion 2009. So glad my Dad Edward Peeden didn't miss the whole thing. And was so sorry to hear about Hugh passing away, I missed seeing his smiling face.
Till we meet again, Stella Wray |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | Sixty-four years ago today, the 455th AAA Battalion sailed from New York City aboard the "USAT Gen. George Simonds", bound in convoy for Scotland. The trip would end 3 days later, when the ship became disabled and wallowed in heavy seas. It almost capsized, before being towed into the Canadian port of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Battalion would later board the "Queen Elizabeth", to complete their trip to Scotland. This incident almost resulted in the loss of the entire battalion at sea... |
| Name: | Connie Viers |
| E-mail address: | csviers@cox.net |
| Comments: | It was such a privilege to be able to attend this year's reunion. This year it was Wayne and I, his mother Barbara (wife of Battery C's Charlie Field), Amber, and her daughter (and our granddaughter), Audrey Marie making the trip from Chesapeake to Nashville, but well worth it. It was good to see "old" friends, and make some new ones as well. To our remaining vets - thank you for our freedom - and for those vets no longer with us, a thank you as well. We hold fondly the friendships we've made over the years. There were many heartstrings pulled again this year! |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | This is to inform the 455th family of more deaths of old comrades: Lt. Arthur ('Art')Whittington, Medical Admin. Officer of the Medics, died August 10, 2009 in Charlotte NC at age 90...Captain William D. Prindle, Jr., the commanding officer of Battery 'C' of the 455th AAA, died January 3, 2006, at age 87. I have just confirmed his death today. His wife, Florence Prindle, just died this year (August 14), at age 86. She and Bill came to the 1992 Rabb Reunion...'Art' never attended the reunions, but he helped me a lot with material and photos for the unit history. He was also a lifelong Duke fan, but I forgave him for that...We shall miss them. Bill Prindle was the last surviving Battery Commander of the 455th AAA before his death... |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thaaa |
| Comments: | We are having many of our old attendees back this year. It will be great to see everyone again. Anyone else is welcome too!! |
| Name: | Roy Griggs |
| E-mail address: | griggs farms@surfmore.net |
| Comments: | Hope to see you all Friday night and Saturday, Missed seeing everybody the last year or so.
Roy Griggs |
| Name: | 455th Reunion |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thaaa.com |
| Comments: | Last Reminder:
Our 455th AAA Reunion is to be held Aug. 27-29 in Nashville, at Guesthouse Inns and Suites on Music Valley Drive (very close to Opry Land). The phone reserve number is 1 615 885 4030 I am leaving for Nashville at noon tomorrow and I hope to see all of you there. The hotel reports that we have a large number of rooms reserved. |
| Name: | Some one who cares |
| Comments: | I have seen a gravestone with a simple inscription upon it.
It says this, ........."I WANT TO STAND WHERE YOU ARE STANDING"........ Underneath those words is the loving ingraving story of an incident that occurred during the War. A soldier only 19 in age was part of a firing squad assigned to execute a man guilty of treason. As the 19 year old closed one eye and took aim down the barrel of his weapon, he was horrified to see that he new the man he was about to execute. He lowered his gun, walked over to his captian, and said "I cannot do this. That man has a wife and children at home. If I shoot him, I not only end his life, but I end there lives too. I will make his wife a widow and I will be robbing the children of there father. I cannot do this." But everyone knew that the punishment for treason was death. However the price had to be paid. So after a short discussion, They came up with a plan. They agreed that the young soldier could take the condemend mans place. The 19 year old marched up to the captive and said simply,"I want to stand where you are standing". The captive removed his blindfold and walked away, back to his wife,his family, his life. But his freedom came at great cost to another, the young man who had choosen to die in his place. A story of how one man lies down his life for another. Rarely found today. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Comments: | Wanda,
Are you coming to the reunion next weekend with your mother? I bet I have some great pix of your dad to share with you. Brenda |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Comments: | It is with great excitement that I look forward to this coming Thursday. On Thursday, I will go to Nashville and see some of my favorite people in the world...the men of the 455th AAA AW (M).
Many 455th children are coming to this reunion who have never been with us before. Jim and Susan Chandler will be back along with the return of Gene Summey and daughter Collette, who is coming as a brand new attendee. We are looking forward to seeing the widows and children along with our veterans. Remember to write us on this guestbook if you know any news. We didn't know about Mr. Turner's death until this year. And I suspect that are others that we do not know about. I cannot emphasize enough to please write me or let us know through this guestbook. See you Thursday or Friday or Saturday (?) at the Guesthouse Inns and Suites in Nashville on Music Valley Drive. Brenda |
| Name: | Phyllis Young |
| Homepage URL: | http://455th AAA |
| Comments: | Wanda, I did not know that your Dad, William R. Turner had passed away. I am so sorry. I remember him very well. I will be sure to tell my Dad, James Kerby. We enjoyed having him at the reunions. I had heard that he was very ill but didn't know of his passing. Thank you for letting us know. |
| Name: | Bunty Sargent Kiley |
| E-mail address: | bunty@metrocast.net |
| Comments: | Congratulations to you all for keeping up such good work on behalf of the 455th. It has come to light that the plane that Flenory Griggs shot down during the war is all restored and on display in a Museum in Europe. I am now searching for the kind guy who donated the flagpole for the Memorial, back in June 2000. I think his name was Bryan Carroll, and he made a tape about this downed plane. If anyone knows how I can contact him, please let me know. I need this tape, or a copy of it. Bremda. could you please help me with this?? Thanks a lot. Bunty
|
| Name: | Wanda Sory |
| E-mail address: | wsory@comcast.net |
| Comments: | My father was William R. Turner and was one of the original members of the reunion group. His last reunion to be able to attend was in 2005 at which time he was extremely sick. He passed away in September 2007. He only missed one reunion in all those years and it was 2006. This was always a very important event for him and he always made whatever effort it took to be there. His mind was at a point in 2006 that he wasn't aware of much so the effort could not be made. I'm sorry I didn't think to post here before so those that knew him would realize that he had passed away, it was very sudden and I just didn't think. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | Today we remember the RABBS landing in France (65 years ago today) to become part of the buildup for 'Operation Cobra', the breakout from Normandy. Their first HQ was the French hamlet of Les Ais. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| Comments: | Hotel is: Guesthouse Inns and Suites
Address is: Music Valley Drive City is: Nashville, TN Reserve Telephone Number 615 885 4030 Dates August 27,28,29 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| Comments: | Now is the time to contact our hotel and make your resevations. for the August 455th Reunion. (You can always cancel with no penalty...but rooms may not be available later on without a resservation.)
..........Dates are August 27,28, amd 29............. Please mention the 455thaaa Group name and remind them of the special pricing deal we get. The number to call is 615 885 4030. A few are coming on Thursday night (we are), but most are arriving on Friday and spending Friday night and up through Sat. lunch. The main meeting is at the noon hour on Saturday. We will have the chicken dishes we have had for the past two years.Ladies will bring desserts, finger foods, tc. Feel free to bring drinks to enjoy. My family will be arriving on the 27th,28th,and 29th and going home on Sunday morning after breakfast. We are also going to the Grand Ole Opry's 7:00pm show on Saturday. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| Comments: | The famous American correspondent, Ernie Pyle, was killed on April 18, 1945. He was killed on the island of le Shima by a Japanese machine-gunner. I particularly loved his accounts of the war in Europe, especially his English travels. He had his last "half written" column in his pocket when he was killed. Through Ernie, we felt like we "were there."
Thank you for keeping us all informed, Ernie. |
| Name: | Phyllis Young |
| E-mail address: | phyllis@tommyharper.net |
| Comments: | My heart goes out today to the Griffin family. Hugh Griffin was one of the dearest and sweetest men that I have ever met. If someone could not remember his name, they would just say "you know the guy with the big smile". That was our Hugh. His smile could light up a room when he walked in. Our 455th family will miss him dearly. But what a "455th Reunion" they must be having in heaven now.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tony and the family as they face the difficult days ahead without him. Rest in peace dear soldier. We will never forget you and will always love you. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | the455thaaa@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thaaa.com |
| Comments: | Someone very special has left Earth today. His name is Hugh Griffin. After several complications following open heart surgery...he passed on.
No one who knew Hugh will ever forget that famous smile of his. He was everyone's favorite "uncle" and a person that I, personally, will never get over missing. Thank you, Hugh, for being my friend and for all of your wonderful hugs. My heart hurts especially for Tony today. Tony faithfully brought his dad to every reunion.Something he should always be proud of. Hugh was proud of Tony. The entire group gathering in Nashville will miss this special man in August, but heaven is RIGHT NOW giving him a standing ovation while saying, "Welcome, dear friend." With love, Brenda and the 455th |
| Name: | The 455th Memorial Association |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA.com |
| Comments: | We are looking for information on two of our 455th Members
James Keith Battery D, who was a Medic Albert Gagne, Battery C If you have any knowledge, pictures of them,etc., please write to us at: the455thaaa@aol.com or brenaburch@aol.com or brenaburch@hotmail.com |
| Name: | 455th Memorial Association |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455th |
| Comments: | It saddens me to report the death of Sam Ingram. His daughter wrote that she was clearing his things when she recovered The RABB LEAF and my email address.
Sam passed on February 22 of 2008. Sam was in Battery C and knew my father Andrew. Although I never met him in person, I feel that I knew him through our phone conversations. Rest in peace, dear kind and gentle Sam... Brenda |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| Comments: | On this day, February 27, in 1945, Andrew Scalf was Killed in Action in Gerderath, Germany.
We will always remember and never forget you. |
| Name: | 455th AAA Reunion |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thaaa.com |
| Comments: | Important Note:
The dates of the 2009 455th reunion are incorrect in the newsletter. The correct dates are AUGUST 27-30, 2009 Special Reserve number 1 615 885 4030 Guesthouse Inns and Suites on Music Valley Drive (sorry for the mistake...Brenda) |
| Name: | 455th Memorial Association |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA AW |
| Comments: | We lost our beloved Irene Summey, wife of Eugene Summey, Battery "C" over the Thanksgiving weekend. Irene and Gene were a great team and both were greatly loved. They lived their lives in North Carolina.
Gene went on the trip to England to dedicate our 455th memorial and both were present and interested in the summer reunions. Physically, Irene didn't make it to England, but was there in spirit at the dedication. Safe passage, dear Irene. Rest in Peace. Our prayers are with Gene today. |
| Name: | Terry L Woodard |
| E-mail address: | twoodard@citlink.net |
| Comments: | I am a nephew of the late Thomas D. Tucker,cook for D Btry I believe. Thank you for this website and thanks to each for your service. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thaaa.com |
| Comments: | Today on National Veterans Day, we salute our brave 455thAAA Veterans. With gratitude and much respect...we admire and will always remember your bravery.
You are truly, the Greatest Generation to have ever lived. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thaaa.com |
| Comments: | Today on National Veterans Day, we salute our brave 455thAAA Veterans. With gratitude and much respect...we admire and will always remember your bravery.
You are truly, the Greatest Generation to have ever lived. |
| Name: | Guido Brinkmeyer |
| E-mail address: | gliderraider@web.de |
| Comments: | Drear Tennessee-Belle,
when you walk through a storm Hold your chin up high And don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of a storm Is a golden sky And the sweet, silver song of a lark. Walk on, through the wind, Walk on, through the rain, Though your dreams be tossed and blown. Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart, And you'll never walk alone, You'll never walk alone. I´ll be with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Name: | Tony |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.455thaaa-rabbs-tribute.freeola.net/ |
| Comments: | Today we send Birthday greetings to Brenda, the girl who always has a smile.
Hope this day is as special as you are. Count your life by smiles, not tears. Count your age by friends, not years. So on this very special day We would like to say to you We hope you'll always find happiness In whatever you may do. Today is your day to celebrate Your day to be the star So let the ones you love all cheer And say how special you are God gave a gift to the world when you were born, a person who loves and cares, who sees a person's need and fills it, who encourages and lifts people up, who spends energy on others rather than herself, who touches each life she enters & makes a difference in the world. May the love you have shown to others return to you and multiplied. God Bless. Love and Hungs from the BROOKS family. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://4555th AAA |
| Comments: | Don't forget to send me any letters or short notes you'd like to have entered in the 2008 Christmas issue of the RABB LEAF. Deadline will be as it was last year, November 15. Thanks to all.
Send to my email address above as an attachment in Word if possible. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | Folks, I want you all to know that Susan and I have not forgotten you wonderful guys and gals of the 455th AAA. I am currently working on a DVD movie of the unit and its members in WWII, complete with film clips, soundtrack, etc. and hope to have it ready by the 2009 Reunion--when, the Lord willing, I SHALL RETURN to Nashville!!! I am also currently working to get the 455th a mention in a very excellent AAA web site (www.antiaircraft.org). I am going to provide info and photos to that site's web master. Take a look at it to see what I mean...I have been going through the over 1,000 photos I have accumulated of the 455th and its men and materiale, and have found new photos of some of you that I had never seen before. I hope to have all of these on the DVD...Until I see you all again, know that we love and care for you all. Our hearfelt thanks to Brenda, Phyllis and the others who have worked so far these past few years to keep the Reunions going! |
| Name: | Tony |
| Comments: | UPDATE, 2006 reunion pictures now online, just click on the link at the top of the page " Reunion 2006 ".
Sorry its taken so long, now its to work on the 2007 images. Thank you Brenda for your message below, it was a real pleasure to have you here in England. |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA AW |
| Comments: | Tony,
Thanks for getting the pix of the reunion(s) online! And thanks for all your help. You and Tracey were great tour guides this summer in England. |
| Name: | Tony |
| Comments: | Hi all.
Please note that images from the 2008 reunion are now on the tribute site. http://www.455thaaa-rabbs-tribute.freeola.net/ Regards to all..... |
| Name: | Stella Wray |
| E-mail address: | swray10160@aol.com |
| Comments: | I enjoyed being in Nashville for the reunion 2008! |
| Name: | The 455th Memorial Association |
| E-mail address: | the455thaaa@aol.com |
| Comments: | We Remember September 11, 2001. |
| Name: | Guido Brinkmeyer |
| E-mail address: | gliderraider@web.de |
| Homepage URL: | http://de.youtube.com/user/gliderraider |
| Comments: | Tomorrow is the 7th. anniversary of 9/11.
May god blees those guys out there who fight for a better world; hope they will win this fight one day. Regards from Yugoslavia. Guido Brinkmeyer |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.455thAAA.com / |
| Comments: | Pictures of 2008 reunion are up and running. Please check the Community page (opening page) for the address.
Brenda |
| Name: | Guido Brinkmeyer |
| E-mail address: | gliderraider@web.de |
| Comments: | Hello all out there,
I am glad to be able to sign your guestbook now (Thank´s Tony!!! If somebody forget- 4 days ago, 1 Sept. 1939 WW II begun. A real bad date. Regards from Germany to all of you, wherever you are. May God bless you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guido Brinkmeyer |
| Name: | Gregory J Protsko |
| E-mail address: | greg_protsko2000@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | For your strength and courage I salute all of you |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA.com |
| Comments: | Thank you to all who attended and helped with the 455th Reunion in Nashville the last weekend in August. We are indebted to all who are interested in our WWII Veterans. The reunion was successful and everyone at the reunion said to pass on their good wishes to those who couldn't be there in person, but were there in spirit. We raised a glass to absent friends, (thanks Tony). We have friends all over the USA and many places in Europe. We appreciate you all. Pix should be online soon. I will let you know here in the guestbook how and where to find them.
Brenda |
| Name: | Guido Brinkmeyer |
| E-mail address: | gliderraider@web.de |
| Comments: | Dear Friends,
our minds and prayers are with the people from Louisiana. Hope Hurricane Gustav will pass by without to destroy, and will not deliver another Katrina-style hit on the partially rebuilt city. Guido Brinkmeyer |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | We lost Clee McCaslin, Battery 'C', on Aug. 11th. He was 90 yrs old. He was with the 455th AAA at Camp Stewart only, then was transferred to the 378 AAATC. He is on the Rabb photo of Battery C at Camp Stewart. He is directly seated in front of Lt. Donald Clark in the photo. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | I regret to announce that Clee McCaslin, of Battery 'C' of the 455th AAA (at Fort Stewart only) passed away on August 11th, aged 90, in Gastonia NC. He transferred out of the 455th to the 378 AAATC on 12/30/42. I am attending the visitation tonight. He was known as 'Curly' to his WWII friends. Anyone wishing to send condolences may send to www.McLeanFuneral.com |
| Name: | billy hill |
| E-mail address: | bhillxyz@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | my father was homer w. hill of the 455th |
| Name: | Phyllis Young |
| Comments: | It is with great sadness that I report on July 1st we lost another one of our dear 455th Vets, Freeman Winsett. He was one of our regular attendees at our annual reunions. Johnnie wanted me to be sure and let everyone know how good the VA was to him. She said they had furnished him a wheelchair, built him a ramp for it and put one on his van.
He will be sorely missed. Rest well dear soldier for a job well done. God bless you. |
| Name: | Emily Valdivia-Campbell |
| E-mail address: | tresvaldivias@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.xanga.com/Yes_Im_One_Of_Those |
| Comments: | I am Carl Campbell's grand daughter. This is a great great site! I am so happy to have been able to attend these reunions for the past seven years. Hopefully more and more people can come every year. Thanks for putting up the pictures! The young couple sitting at the table is my brother, Jesse and his wife Sara! Anyway, thanks for this awesome site.
-Emily Valdivia-Campbell |
| Name: | 455th Memorial Association |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@comcast.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA AW |
| Comments: | From Brenda:
Just a short reminder to those 455th folks(and others) Remember that the 455th reunion dates are August 28-30....(last weekend) in August. Check COMMUNITY for extra announcements. Remember if you should wish to come only to the luncheon meeting, it will begin Saturday noon. Guesthouse Inns and Suites, 2420 Music Valley Drive in Nashville. 615 885 4030 **special number for our 455th rate until July 28. (The location is near the Grand Ole Opry) |
| Name: | 455th Memorial Association |
| Comments: |
Today, our memorial in Watton, England is eight years old. It was dedicated it on June 6, 2000. |
| Name: | donnie thompson |
| E-mail address: | donniethompson250@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | my dad is Howard W Thompson who served with The Rabbs in C Battery until he was shot in the leg on March 31 1945. He finished out the war, first in a hospital in England and later in Michigan. He retired from Chrysler Airtemp in Dayton Ohio in 1986 and lost his wife in 1998. Currently he resides in a nursing home in Kettering Ohio where he is visited regularly by his loving family |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| Comments: | Correction on the previous entry.
Memorial Day of 2008 |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA.com |
| Comments: | VETERANS DAY of 2008
LET US ALWAYS REMEMBER THEM FOR THEY GAVE UP THEIR YESTERDAYS FOR OUR TOMORROWS............ |
| Name: | Tom |
| E-mail address: | tomfeise@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://in-crete.110mb.com |
| Comments: | Safely tucked away in the sweet Emmental in neutral Switzerland, I write to you all to wish you a good time. After a period of some terrible domestic and private problems, which have mostly been resolved (partly through emigration and legal action), the website for the 455th has been reinstated, as a mirror to Brenda's official site, and many of the features such as the 8th and 9th USAAF pages have been uploaded and can be viewed under http://in-crete.110mb.com/tomfeise/8thusaaf The 455th pages are available on http://in-crete.110mb.com/tomfeise/455th and they are still free of commercial advertising.
The Rabbs in Watton - Never Forgotten |
| Name: | 455th Memorial |
| E-mail address: | The455th@aol.com |
| Comments: | We are sad to report that two of our 455th men have passed away this spring.
Bill Greenlee Battery "B" of Texas passed on March 25, 2008. John Dowdle of Battery "C" of North Carolina on May 11, 2008. Safe passage to the other side and may you rejoice with loved ones who've passed over before you. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA AW |
| Comments: | Today marks the 63rd anniversary of Andrew J. Scalf's death in the woods in Gerderath, Germany, WWII.
A good friend, Guido Brinkmeyer, has a made a tribute to Andrew that he made in the woods there on the spot. Guido is playing taps in his memory. http://de.youtube.com/gliderraider I'd like to publicly thank Guido for this wonderful and kind gesture he made made to Andrew's family. |
| Name: | The 455th Reunion |
| E-mail address: | the 455thaaa@aol.com |
| Comments: | Happy Birthday to dear James Kerby... James is one of the organizers of the 455th AAA Reunions. We hope you have a good birthday and a wonderful year to come! |
| Name: | billy g. hill |
| E-mail address: | bhillxyz@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | thanks for the rabb web site. my father was homer w. hill and a rabb and very proud of it. |
| Name: | Peter Butler |
| E-mail address: | wbu97303@bigpond.net.au |
| Homepage URL: | http://Bigpond |
| Comments: | A very interesting site especially the story of the seer.
Overall terrific. |
| Name: | 455thAAA Membership |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA.com |
| Comments: | This is the last day in our lives that we will be able to write 2007. Tommorrow, we will enter into the brand new year of 2008.
Members of the 455th AAA and their families wish all of you a most healthy and happy 2008. AND we hope and pray for peace all over the world and that 2008 will bring a close to this horrible war. God Bless Each of You |
| Name: | from Andrew's Letters home 1944 |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA...Back in Time |
| Comments: | December 22, 1944
Dear Ruthie and Brena, Just a few lnes to let you know I'm still ok, only have a little cold. I hope you and Brenda are in the best of health and had a nice Christmas. Please write and tell me what Brena (age 3) said and did and how she acted on Christmas morning. Say, you picked out a place for us to build our house? Write and tell me what size and where you want it built. It should be near an electric line. It's been over 18 months since I was home. I want to come home, settle down with you and Brenda and maybe Andy Jr. one day.I read my testament and carry it oer my heart like you asked me to. I wish I could have sent you and Brena something for this Christmas, but there's not much you can buy over here in a foxhole. Well, my darlings.........I will close for now. My candle is out. I hope this all is over and I can come home to see you real soon. Love and Kisses, Drew ........................................................ Andrew James Scalf was killed in Gerderath, Germany February, 27, 1945. He never came home. He is buried in the American Cemetery in The Netherlands. This 455th website is dedicated to him. |
| Name: | 455thAAA Members |
| Comments: | Today is December 7, 2007. It has been sixty-six years.
www.rememberingpearlharbor.org |
| Name: | The 455th Memorial Association |
| E-mail address: | 455th@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA AW |
| Comments: | On this Veterans Day, we salute anyone who ever wore a uniform of the Armed Forces. And most especially to those who pressed on through heat, cold, and mud.....never complaining. Those who kept their medals, remembered the clink of the dog tags,say "Yes Sir and No Sir" as a matter of habit, have revisited in peacetime the hellholes of their youth, learned to forgive and to receive forgiveness, never think of Nebraska when they hear "Omaha,"and can still hear the explosions and screams; still smell the stench of death, still taste salty tears cascading down stubby cheeks, still see the vacant look of lifeless eyes decades after Johnny came marching home. And still dream the dreams......
Today we remember and salute our Greatest Generation |
| Name: | Brenda |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@comcast.net |
| Comments: | I am presently working on the 2007 RABB LEAF.
If you have any greetings, any messages, any deaths, or anything at all, please send to brenaburch@comcast.net or brenaburch@aol.com by November 15th. I would appreciate anything you can send in, since I am running quite thin in the idea department this year. Also, anything I could do to improve it? If you aren't receiving it, please let me know this also and make sure to include your mailing address when you write. Thank you in advance, Brenda |
| Name: | RABB LEAF |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@comcast.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA AW |
| Comments: | This is an open letter to anyone associated with the 455th AAA AW (M) and who wishes to write a greeting or short message to the 455th membership in the upcoming RABB LEAF of 2007. Please send the correspondence to my address above or to brenaburch@aol.com. November 15 is the deadline.
Also, I'd appreciate any ideas for the newsletter. Such as announcements, deaths, interesting news, or anything else I haven't thought of to mention. Please and thank you, Brenda |
| Name: | The 455th AAA Memorial Association |
| Comments: | With much sadness, we report the death of our Faye Greenlee of Lubbock, TX. Faye died with Bill, Jan, Jim, and Austin holding her in their arms.
Until three years ago, Faye and Bill would drive from TX to Nashville to be at the 455th AAA Reunion EVERY YEAR. We are grateful for the preciious time that she spent with us here on earth. Rest in peace, dearest Faye...... |
| Name: | Debbie Pierce |
| E-mail address: | deb1959@bellsouth.net |
| Comments: | Brenda,We had a wonderful time at the 2007 Reunion. Thank you and everyone who helped to make this so special for our veterans, I know getting everything together has got to be exhausting. But It turned out very nice. I will get you the pictures that I made they turned out good.
Ed Peeden's daughter |
| Name: | Brenda |
| Comments: | We are hoping that you are coming to Nashville to meet us for the big 455th AAA Reunion today (Thursday)) through Sunday, August 16-19. We've heard from several who are coming and hope that we'll see you there too. Location: Guesthouse Inns and Suites at 2420 Music Valley Road. You will find it right across from Opryland. Exit 12 off Briley.
See you there! |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | It is with regret that I announce the passing of another "Rabb". Harold Berry, of the 455th HQ Battery, has passed away in Oregon. He was originally from New York. Here is the e-mail I received from his daughter. Let's all remember Harold and Johnny Dowdle in our prayers at the Reunion this year:
Subject: Command Sergeant Major Harold J Berry, USA, Retired Date: Aug 10, 2007 2:30 PM Hello Mr. Chandler, I am Harold's daughter, it grieves me beyond words to inform you of his passing this past Tuesday, Aug 7, at 10:15 am at OHSU. He was 83 years old. He underwent a brain biopsy and never recovered. There will be a Goodbye Service at Hoodland Luther Church on Rt 26 in Brightwood, Oregon, Aug 17, 2007 at 12:30PM. Therer will be an escorted funeral procession leaving at 1:15-1:30PM to Willamette National Cemetary in Portland, Oregon. Gradeside services begin with full honors at 2:30PM. If you choose to reach me by phone, I am Joann Berry Peterson, 503-622-3569 (Pacific Time Zone). Thank you for being in touch with my Dad, he really enjoyed it! I am sorry we could not make the reunion. I wish we would have known about your group a long time ago, I know he would have loved to be re-united with you all. Please pass this on to anyone that may have known and/or served with him. He always has been, and always be My Hero. Joann |
| Name: | Phyllis Young |
| Comments: | To all our 455th family, if you are planning on attending the Reunion next month, you need to make your room reservations ASAP. We are looking forward to another great reunion this year! For details go to the 455th website. |
| Name: | Jim Chandler |
| Comments: | It is with regret that I announce the passing of another member of the 455th AAA--John Elmer Dowdle, Battery 'C', from Mt Holly, NC has passed on. His obituary was in the newspaper today. This is to let all of his friends and the members of the Reunion committee know. I interviewed John at his home a number of years ago and gathered material for the 455th history. A gracious gentleman! |
| Name: | Phyllis Young |
| Comments: | Happy Birthday America! To all our troops all over the world, we thank you for all you do to keep us safe. You are in our thoughts and prayers always. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA |
| Comments: | I'm looking forward to seeing the 455th AAA Memorial in Watton, England once again this summer. Anyone who would like to get in touch with me for floral tributes, pictures,etc., please get in touch this week. |
| Name: | Brenda Scalf-Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@comcast.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://455thAAA Website |
| Comments: | I was away on Memorial Day this year. I went to the old Liberty Cemetery near my father and mother's home and felt a rush of pride that all deceased veterans had American Flags dancing on their graves. I walked through the cemetery and saw so, so many flags. There were some from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean, Viet Nam, but thankfully none since. I said a silent thank you to so many men who did what they felt was the right thing to do and did it so willingly.
I have a Memorial Stone to both my mother and my father there. In front of Andrew's stone, was a nice American flag standing tall and proud. Even though Andy was left in Holland, his childhood friends had never forgotten him and placed a flag to remember him there. In Holland, The Weijenbergs and the Brinkmeyers remembered my father. They remembered Andrew with flowers, candles, and by giving of their time by traveling and attending the Memorial Service. Thank God for good friends like those two families. I am so very, very lucky. AND...THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU VETERANS WHEREVER YOU MAY BE! |
| Name: | Don Wells |
| E-mail address: | wellser2001@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Thank you for this website, My grandfather Jim White was a member. Don |
| Name: | Adry Weijenberg |
| Comments: | Dear friends,
Yesterday at the Memorial Day services at the Netherlands US military cemetery at Margraten we witnessed that still many people DO care about what the USA and its sons and daughters did during World War II. Thousands of people attended the services and many, many flowers were placed on many graves. We met Guido, his mother and his daughter Hannah at the cemetery and talked about you and your deceased family members. We were so glad we met. We hadn't seen each other for 2 years. I think it's good to have friends all over the world. It will make it a better place!! Love from the Weijenbergs from the Netherlands. |
| Name: | Brenda Burchfield |
| E-mail address: | brenaburch@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Have you made your reservations for the 455th Reunion in Nashville on the 16,17,18 of August?? No time like the present. There are still plenty of good rooms rooms, get your name on one of them. If you will go to Brenda's "COMMUNITY" page, you will get directions,costs of the room ,etc.
__________________________________________________________-- Please note my address above is different now. Please put it iN Your address book. |