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This page is for those letters that you send to us that you want others to see. Thank you notes, holiday greetings, and other types of correspondence that others will be interested in.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
ESGR's 2004 National EMPLOYER Outreach Program affords us all the opportunity to show our appreciation to America's EMPLOYERS and
simultaneously demonstrate our support for the troops by signing banners traveling with America's Car as we "SALUTE AMERICA'S EMPLOYERS".  In order
for all personnel to participate, ESGR has developed a website where folks across America can sign the banner online.  It is important for all citizens
to recognize the important role EMPLOYERS have in the Global War on Terror.
This offers another opportunity for Americans to express appreciation for what EMPLOYERS and our Guard and Reserve are doing to protect our freedoms.
Please go to http://www.esgr.org/AmericasCar and sign the banner to show your support for America's Guard and Reserve and their EMPLOYERS.  For more
information you can visit the homepage of the web site.
Everyone affiliated with ESGR is requested to take advantage of this opportunity and to pass this request to sign the banner to their family and
friends as well.   While you're there, take a moment to look at the map, click your state and notice other opportunities to get involved with our
EMPLOYER Outreach.


Bob  Hollingsworth
Executive Director
National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
(703) 696-1379

First are a couple of pictures of current members of the 90^th training here at Fort Lewis. They are preparing to go to Iraq. What is even more interesting is that the unit facilitating the training is the 2^nd Battalion, 358^th Regiment. One of the pictures shows a member of the Opposing Force at a Vehicle check point and the other is a group photo of the Tough 'Ombres.

Here is a picture of Bob Levine (358^th) addressing the current members of the 2^nd Battalion, 358^th at Fort Lewis on 3 Sept 03

Finally is an explanation of the 358^th Regimental Insignia and Coat of Arms which may be of value to you also.

Shield: Azure, a fess embattled Or, between a fleur-de-lis and a five-pointed mullet of the like.

Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: From a wreath Or and Azure, the Lexington Minute Man Proper. The statue of the Minute Man, Captain John Parker (H.H. Kitson, sculptor) stands on the common in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Shield: The shield is blue for Infantry. The embattled fess represents the enemy's field fortifications taken at Stenay in World War I; the fleur-de-lis indicates service in France. The star, taken from the seal of Texas (the Lone Star State), is indicative of the regiment's allocation.

Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 358th Regiment Infantry, Organized Reserves on 28 Jul 1925. It was amended to withdraw "Organized Reserves" from the designation and to delete the Organized Reserves' crest from the coat of arms for the 358th Infantry Regiment on 16 Jun 1959. On 28 Jul 1970, it was amended to reinstate the crest of the Army Reserve and revise the symbolism of the design for the 358th Infantry Regiment. The coat of arms was redesignated for the 358th Regiment on 7 Jun 1999. The coat of arms was amended to correct the blazon of the crest on 15 June 1999.

Description: A color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, a fess embattled Or, between a fleur-de-lis and a five pointed mullet of the like. Attached below the shield a gold scroll inscribed "PERAGIMUS" in blue letters.

Symbolism: The shield is blue for the Infantry. The embattled fess represents the enemy's field fortifications taken at Stenay in World War I; the fleur-de-lis indicates service in France. The star, taken from the seal of Texas (the Lone Star State), is indicative of the regiment's allocation.

Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 358th Regiment Infantry, Organized Reserves on 28 Jul 1925. It was amended to withdraw "Organized Reserves" from the designation for the 358th Infantry Regiment on 16 Jun 1959. On 28 Jul 1970 it was amended to revise the symbolism of the design. The insignia was redesignated with description updated for the 358th Regiment on 7 Jun 1999.

Thanks very much for sending these photos and a big apology for taking so long to post them. It was really nice getting to meet you at the reunion in St. Louis, We wish you and all the members of the new 358th a safe tour of duty. Thanks to you all for what you are doing for us.

I received this letter from Tony Kemp, who is writing a book about the 90th. Tony is a well known English author living in France and is dedicated to documenting the 90th in books. I print this here in case anyone can help him with the information he needs. BTW, Tony will be a speaker at the St Louis reunion.

Good morning Dennis.

Please excuse my long silence but I have been finishing off my book. Wowee. However, have started on another one for the Moselle River 1944 Association, to tell the story of their liberation by the TO's. For a start I want to provide them with an archive of historical material about the liberation as detailed as possible to deposit in the local high school library, and to help me with writing their history.

The period I need detail on is 9 November thru 20 November when the 90th left their area. Does anyone have any of the After Action reports for the three regiments and/or any of the attached units?. I would also like to obtain copies of any unit histories that have been written. there are a number listed in the bibliography of John Colby's "War from the ground up".

Furthermore, if any veterans have written personal memoirs and/or photographs of the crossings at Cattenom and Melling, Fort Koenigsmacker, the battles in the Maginot forts, the Hackenberg, Kerling crossroads, Distroff counter-attack and the liberation of Metzervisse, I would love to hear from them and can assure them that the local people would be eternally grateful.

My address is

Anthony Kemp

Le Bourg

16190 St Laurent de Belzagot.

France

robinabois@wanadoo.fr

Would be grateful or any help in getting this message out;

Best wishes

Tony K

I received this letter and accompanying material from a member who has had good luck in acquiring information on his uncle's award. I print it for you and show you his other documents [click here] so that it may help others who are doing a search.......

Dennis,

For the "I'm looking for..." inquiries about documenting citations and trying to get medals due their family members. My family member's citation was in a 90th division general order. I'm told all awards had to go through a division order. My relative was KIA 6-14-44 and his Silver Star showed up in a division order 7-31-44. To get a copy of the division order I wrote to:

National Archives and Record Administration

Modern Military Records - NWCTM

8601 Adelphi Road

College Park, MD 20740-6001

Replacement medals and certificates can be ordered from the American War Library in Gardena, Ca. (They are on the web). You have to have documentation, or, they have to see the soldier's info in their database (their database is huge and had my relative and all his awards in it).

Brian Kueker [bkueker1@swbell.net]

We received this email and thought it might be interesting to some of you.......

I am writing this on behalf of Herb Walker served in the 90th Division during World War ll. He is now 84 and is receiving the Normandy Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty. It is a Medal from the French Government. The Congressmen of Spokane, Washington George R. Nethercutt JR. wants all men who live in Washington to get this Medal. I think all the MEN who were in Normandy from June 6th 1944 to September 18th 1944 {these were the Dates on Herb's Application for this Medal} should receive this Medal. I can give you The phone to Congressman's Nethercutt's office and maybe he can help you get this Medal for other deserving member's of the 90th Division. Please E-mail me back if you wish to have the information I can give you. I wanted you to know my Father is receiving this Medal in a few weeks and I wanted you to know, because I believe my Dad deserves at least 5 minutes of fame for his participation in World War ll and defending my country and making it safe for all AMERICANS.

We thought more information might be appropriate to post here, so our Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Rhoda Reid, checked it out and came up with this information:

Note: We received this letter just a matter of hours after Mr. Mellows request for info was posted on this site. It should be a very joyous reunion !

........wonder of wonders I already have a reply to my inquiry from Norm C. Richards, and have just had a very interesting talk on the phone with Herman Terzino. We have made arrangements to meet in the near future.
My thanks and appreciation to the 90th for the unbelievably fast service. Good luck and thanks to all those who made my wonderful life possible. From an ex snotty-nosed Limey kid from London ,England to London Ontario, Canada

From: Charles A. Keller
Email: twelvepalms@cox.net
UserTel: 602-553-8083
Arizona
Date: 27 Feb 2003

Several years ago, my wife toured Europe representing the U.S. as a member of the National duathlon (duathlon is a combination of running and biking) team. While on the trip, she visited the Normandy coast, and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach.

Before she left, we tried to find if any of our friends or relatives knew anybody who is buried there. We found no such solider, so during her visit Megan arbitrarily selected a cross and left a flag honoring the sacrifice of all those who died protecting the freedoms we all hold so dear.

Having now entered the digital age, I have made a small movie on my home computer featuring Megan’s trip to this hallowed ground. If at all possible, we would love to contact either a member of this soldier’s family or unit, so we can shares these images with them, and let them know we visited their loved one.

The cross reads:

OSCAR W. BERGMAN
PFC 315 ENGR CMBT BN 90 DIV
ARIZONA JUNE 14, 1944
(see Gallery 2 photo 9)

Can you give us any guidance as to where we should look to find Mr. Bergman’s family or comrades? Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Charles A. Keller

Having just found my fathers unit histories, I thought I would try to find something online. I can't tell you how pleasantly surprised I was at finding the 90th Division Association. On Monday I will be sending my check for a honorary membership. My father, Armando Caccioli, was a member of the 358th Infantry and then was transferred to 695th Armored Field Artillery Battalion or vice versa. He really didn't like talking about his time over in Europe. I have a small book 56 pages long which is the brief history of the 358th. I would greatly appreciate any information about my father and his time in service in the 358th. Hopefully I'll be able to contribute to your web site as I believe my mother still has Dad's photos from WWII. Sadly my Dad passed away on March 9, 1983 from complications during his second open heart surgery. Thank You to all who served in the 90th. With great appreciation and admiration,

Sincerely,
Ray Caccioli
rcaccioli@earthlink.net
California

----- Original Message -----
From: Cowcrazymom@aol.com
To: reids@90thDivisionAssoc.org
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 6:05 PM
Subject: poem

Hello,
I received this post a few days ago. My email stated that this poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan and that the following is his request.

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.

I have no way of knowing the accuracy of that claim, but I enjoyed the sentiment of this poem and thought you might as well!

Thank you for all you do on behalf of the 90th! You are both awesome to do so. May you both have a wonderful holiday!
Best wishes,
Lita Alger
(George Peralta's daughter)

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE, IN A ONE
BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE, AND TO SEE JUST
WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE, NO TINSEL, NO
PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND, ON THE WALL
HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS, A SOBER THOUGHT CAME
THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY, I FOUND THE
HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE, CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN
THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER, NOT HOW I
PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ? CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE
FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT, OWED THEIR LIVES TO
THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY, AND GROWNUPS WOULD
CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE OF THE
SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE, ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE, I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE, "SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE, MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY
COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP, I COULDN'T CONTROL
IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT, THIS GUARDIAN OF
HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT. "MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

From: Jim McLean [mailto:jmclean2@qwest.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 9:32 PM
To: donfoye@90thDivisionAssoc.org

It is with sadness that I write to inform you of the recent death of my father, Maj. John M. "Jack" McLean of Florence, Oregon. Jack was a weapons company commander in Europe with the 357th Infantry, 90th division, from March 1944 through the end of the war. He died peacefully in his sleep on December 7, 2002, with his son and daughter-in-law at his side. He was 82.

Jack's thoughts often drifted to his comrades in arms in the 357th, notably to Roland Osterland ("Ostie") and Ed Hamilton among others. He regarded every single living day after the end of the war as a gift from a merciful God, having seen so many of his friends perish in the ETO.

While Jack's short term memory was diminished by Alzheimer's in recent years, his memory of war years became remarkably detailed. He was a time machine for me and for his three teenage grand-daughters who were fascinated by his reminiscences. While he remembered the horrors, he would not willingly speak of them; he talked more freely about the astounding bravery and camaraderie of ordinary young men faced with extraordinary challenges. The war formed and tempered Jack with a core of steel as I suspect it did for so many veterans of the 90th.

As I write to you, I can glance up at the wall in my home office and see Jack's decorations - the Silver Star, Bronze Stars, Purple Heart and coveted CIB. Simple reminders of service to his country in a time of great need. My pledge and promise to Jack's memory, and to those e served with, is just this: my children know what he and his comrades did, and their children will know, and theirs as well. Those services and contributions will not be forgotten.

----- Original Message -----
From: JKWANDRJW@aol.com
To: reids@90thdivisionassoc.org
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 9:09 PM
Subject: From: Jim Flowers daughter

I want to express my deep appreciation to all the wonderful friends of my Dad's
that supported him with cards and letters during his last few weeks with us.
Rest assured your prayers were and are being felt. Because of friends like you,
it made a difficult situation easier.

A special thank you goes to Gen. Ralph Doughty and Bernie Sutter for their trips
to the hospital to visit with Dad. I appreciate your words of encouragement to
him.

With sincere appreciation for your thoughtfulness, I wish each of you the best.

Enclosed are a few pictures I took at the U.S. Military Cemetery at Henri Chapelle, Belgium. Weather permitting, I will probably be making another trip to Henri Chapelle this month (Dec 2002). If you know of anyone who would want a picture of a fallen soldier, a friend, a father, a brother, a husband, and hero, I would freely do this and email the pictures to you. There are about 9000 soldiers buried at the cemetery. Hopefully the manager will be available, otherwise trying to find someone may be difficult.

Casey Segal, Past President of the Association, would like comrades to be apprised of the fact that his wife, Esther, is in Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago and has been there for a few weeks.

To friends and family,

As most of you know by now, my husband, Dick Stilwell was killed in a car accident on Saturday November 23rd in Los Angeles. As you can imagine, we are shocked and horrified by this news. Fortunately, I was already here in DC visiting my daughters for the holiday. Dick was a wonderful, warm, and charismatic man who we will miss very much.

Full Honors Military Ceremony
Tuesday, January 7, 2003 at 11:00 AM
Arlington National Cemetery
Old Post Chapel
Building #335
Ft. Myer, VA 22211
www.arlingtoncemetery.org
Parking Lot located in front of the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established in Dick's honor. More information will be available at the memorial service.

Please feel free to forward this message on to others.
Thank you all for your thoughts and wishes

DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA