Heading out on Sunday morning to meet up with some old friends from the 101st Airborne, including Don Burgett and George Koskimaki. I haven't seen Don in over a year, and I haven't seen George in about three years or more. Yikes.
Am looking forward to seeing my buddies in Oxford, MI.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Gee Marion, I am guessing you will be meeting at Kalloways or Red Knapps. I had my class reunion at Kalloways and my parents always took us to breakfast there. Our family farm is about 2 miles north of there and my brother Larry still lives in town. Oxford is no longer the sleepy little village that I grew up in.
I cannot imagine how cool it is to have lunch with Don and George. Have a great time.
Chris
Son of Francis "Combat" Stephens- Co. C 36th Combat Engineer Regiment
I just remembered. You should stop at the Veterans Museum at the American Legion in Oxford. Post 109 Walter Frasier. This is the post that was co-founded by my Dad.
Son of Francis "Combat" Stephens- Co. C 36th Combat Engineer Regiment
It's at the American Legion Hall, so will already be there. Wow, co-founded by your dad. That is great thing to know. Will tell the guys about it too.
I am bringing my Epic of the 101st Airborne book with me too. Don already signed it when I spent the weekend at their house a while ago. Now I can get more of the gang to sign it too. A real treasure and keepsake!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Don't forget to make pictures of it. Enjoy your time there!
We are paratroopers. We are supposed to be surrounded.
Captain Winters in Bastogne 1944.
Liberation of Noorbeek and Roy Booher tribute:
Yep. That figures. Just one more of those strange coincidences that bring us all together as the Combat Engineer family. I contributed to the museum and iff you dont mind....please check the propeller in the museum to see if they spelled my Dad's name correctly.
The museum is mostly US military uniforms and it is an impressive collection.
Son of Francis "Combat" Stephens- Co. C 36th Combat Engineer Regiment
Roger wilco! Shall report back!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Hi Gang:
Had a wonderful time yesterday and got to sit at the table with the Burgetts (Don, his wife Twyla, their daughter Renee and her husband Clark), Mark Bando and his wife, and my friend Carl Horoho (whom I met at Don's birthday party, a while ago). Had a great visit with not only them, but also got to speak to my buddies George Koskimaki and Donald Straith, also 101st Airborne. It had been TOO long.
I brought along my Epic of the 101st Airborne book, which Don had signed at his house, and obtained the following autographs:
George L Walker
Donald Straith
George Koskimaki
Fred Bahlau
Albert Leloneh
Thank you gentlemen. Always an honor and a pleasure.
They have a very impressive museum collection. Wow!
My camera is on the fritz, so Carl is going to send me photos. Will post as soon as I get them...
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Wow...You lucky lady... 
A Moose no longer alone in the Wolverine State.
I agree with Moose
We are paratroopers. We are supposed to be surrounded.
Captain Winters in Bastogne 1944.
Liberation of Noorbeek and Roy Booher tribute:
Me too !!
Vee 
Under every white cross of American Cemetery of Colleville (Normandy), sleeps a piece of Freedom
I was thinking of everyone here, and wishing you could be there too!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Got some photos from Carl this evening. Thanks
82nd Airborne trooper
Me and George Koskimaki
Don Straith, Me and George Koskimaki
Fred Bahlau and Me
George K, Me and George Walker
George K, a server and George W
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
It must have been a privilege to attend at a lunch with those men. Awesome. No pictures with Don Burgett?
We are paratroopers. We are supposed to be surrounded.
Captain Winters in Bastogne 1944.
Liberation of Noorbeek and Roy Booher tribute:
Those were the only pics I have now from Carl. We will see what else he has up his sleeve!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
