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OnDaFence 36M/44M
44267 posts
6/18/2017 9:33 pm

Last Read:
6/19/2017 7:07 pm

Remembrance



World War II veterans with the 66th Infantry Division took part in a ceremony of remembrance Thursday at the Patton Museum at Fort Knox.



Fifteen veterans with the Black Panther Division were recognized for their service.It was also a chance for veterans and their families to reunite and remember.
"You meet everyone again, you know, and it's like home week, old home week, you know, and -- because these guys are almost like brothers," said 66th Infantry veteran Jerome Roettgers.



On Christmas Eve, 1944, the 66th infantry division crossed the English Channel heading for the Battle of the Bulge when a U-boat torpedoed the SS Leopoldville, one of the division's troop transport ships.
Andrew Staruch, also of 66th Infantry Division, was watching from the deck of the HMS Cheshire when he saw a torpedo go by in the water.
"And all of the sudden, we heard this noise. Everything erupted and then everything broke loose," Staruch said.



Fourteen officers and 748 enlisted men died as a result of the sinking of the Leopoldville.
It was the second deadliest troopship disaster during the war in the European theater.
As they received medals for their service, survivors can't help but look back and remember those who never made it home.
"They were willing to give their lives for what they thought was a good cause," Roettgers said.



The veterans represent a living history, and they hope that younger generations will learn about the bravery and sacrifice of heroes past.

OnDaFence 36M/44M

6/18/2017 9:37 pm

sorry so late


OnDaFence 36M/44M

6/18/2017 9:37 pm

we went out for dinner


OnDaFence 36M/44M

6/18/2017 9:38 pm

I left a pile of shrimp tails beside my plate.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

6/18/2017 9:39 pm

    Quoting sweetone09:
    wow that was so good to see I love to go in the museum
You can spend the night at bi's place then.


Hungr4Yungr 75M
5766 posts
6/19/2017 6:25 am

It's always important to remember our veterans.


mral65 58M
366 posts
6/19/2017 7:38 am

Never hurts to be reminded of what they did for us.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

6/19/2017 9:05 am

    Quoting Hungr4Yungr:
    It's always important to remember our veterans.
When I found the sunken vessel with 750 still n board I knew I had to do the blog.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

6/19/2017 2:46 pm

    Quoting mral65:
    Never hurts to be reminded of what they did for us.
An observance with a degree of respect and humility