The latest including news about my father – Page 2 – MARION’S NEWS, UPDATES & BABBLINGS…

Walts Daughter · 2011-02-12T14:05:09Z

Lots going on in the background this week, including some cool stuff regarding my father. As many of you know, I am trying to get my dad's purple heart and through it all have come back in contact with some of my family members. My cousin Dawn said her mom remembers a lot about my father, and so last night I called Shirley and we must have talked for over two hours. It was wonderful on many levels, but first... Quick note so you get the family thing straight - Shirley was the daughter of Martha, my dad's older sister. Dawn is Shirley's daughter. Got that? So we are first and second cousins, respectively. She as so many others have, expounded on the fact of how great a man he really was. I often wondered throughout the years if my memories were blown out of proportion; we all know how that happens. Face it; it's been a long, long time. But no matter how people I run across, whether they were relatives or old friends, etc., everyone has nothing but praise and kindness for my dad. Talk about making me feel on top of the world!! Shirley told me she remembers my dad showing her his purple heart. WOW! Really I replied. Oh yes she stated, your dad showed us what he brought back and told us many stories about the war. She said he talked a lot about ANZIO. No surprise there. That was sheer hell. She said he talked about buddies getting blown up and seeing one of his friends die before his eyes on a beach landing while exiting a landing craft. She said the war had a huge impact on his life and emphasized how much he changed when he returned home. She also told me that after he came home he developed migraine headaches and experienced those till he died. I had no idea; I never knew this. I'm getting all teary-eyed writing this. My poor father. She told me he wrote many letters home to his sister Martha and the family. Many of you will remember the postcard I have, which he sent home to his mother, Mary. That's the only one I have. And no, (there was so much going on last night), I didn't ask her if she might have those in her possession. But I guess my dad sent home an accordion, but it never arrived home. Dang. That would have been a nice souvenir. I discovered my Uncle Eddie, dad's older brother, was also in the war. But Aunt Shirley said he was in the Pacific. I am going to look him up in the records and see what I can find. I asked her if anyone else in his family fought in WWII, but she said just your dad and Ed. It was then she told me her father tried to enlist, but was given a 4F. Said she knew he had flat-feet, but she said there may have been other physical reasons he was turned down. Said her dad (my dad's brother-in-law) was very upset he couldn't fight and would never talked about it. Oh Eddie was severely injured when a jeep he was driving hit a land mine. Guess he sustained a shattered hip and several other injuries, in the blast. My dad had two older brothers, Joe and Ed, and older sister, Martha and then a younger brother Al Jr. She said she remembers a story about my dad, and said something about Sargent. WHAT? She told me it's been a long time, but my dad told her how he (I don't know how many other GI's were there with him) was escorting German POWs, and one of them tried to escape. Evidently my dad ordered him to stop several times, but the prisoner refused. My dad then took out his gun and either shot him or fired his gun in his direction. Well evidently his superior officer didn't think that was appropriate and demoted my dad back to corporal (Tec5). WHOA, you can imagine how big my eyes got when I heard this. This was all news to me! She also related how my dad came to her rescue after he returned from the war. Oh god how this sounds like my dad! Said their neighborhood was changing (they lived on Lawton St in Detroit) and there were some tough kids who were threatening her. Well my dad got a whiff of it, and the next day got his gun (yes the famous Luger) and went to confront the bullies. I guess he scared the hell of them. No he didn't do anything, but merely showing up with said item and letting his Polish temper arise... Well, after that day, his niece never had any more problems. How I laughed when I heard that one. I could picture it in exquisite detail. She laughed and said, your dad always protected his loved ones. Well I have more to tell including some cool news about my father's family tree, but I have to go shower and get ready for work. Bottom line, it's so cool to be able to hear all this from my family. Many thanks to Dawn and Shirley for sharing all this. Love ya both!

Walts Daughter

(@marionjchardgmail-com)

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Topic starter February 20, 2011 8:53 am

The Grande was just beautiful. It's so sad it has sat vacant for about 40 years and deteriorating day by day. I heard a rumor someone was purchasing it, but it's only a rumor. We'll have to wait and see. At least they didn't bulldoze her down. It's all so sad.

Yes, that commercial rocked. We had a bunch of people over for The Superbowl, and when it came on, a lot of us were cheering. I hope this new mayor will bring things back around. It's been a long time a comin'.

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company

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Walts Daughter

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Topic starter June 12, 2011 10:20 am

Received a response from the Army, returning my paper work to me regarding my request for my dad's purple heart. Said I needed to send them documentation regarding proof I am the daughter of Walter Poniedzialek. :huh: I wish it would have asked for that in the first place, for now I have to start from scratch again. :help:

So today I resubmitted DD Form 149, and sent additional paperwork including my birth certificate and my marriage license, etc. That should finally get me in the door. Once again I play the waiting game... :zzzz: :zzzz: :zzzz:

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company

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Jeeper704

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June 13, 2011 5:44 am

Keep going after them (I know you do that).

It will pay off in the end.

And you can bet it is the same everywhere (not only in the US).

When I am going to start the procedure(s) in order to get my Fiancée here and get her a decent job ...... have the Valium and other stuff ready!

I'm gonna need them! :banghead:

Erwin

704th Tank Destroyer Battalion
https://ardennes-breakthrough-association.com/

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Walts Daughter

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Topic starter June 13, 2011 5:58 am

Yes, RED TAPE is present everywhere. I think the Army does an especially GOOD job at it though! 😛

Oh, that will be fun. NOT!!!! Immigration. That should be ten times worse. I don't envy you there. :bs: 😮

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company

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Walts Daughter

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Topic starter August 4, 2011 5:59 am

Well the Army accepted my second submission. Got a confirmation that it went back in the queue. Now we wait again. At least I know it's being processed...

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company

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paul

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September 30, 2011 10:02 am

Well the Army accepted my second submission. Got a confirmation that it went back in the queue. Now we wait again. At least I know it's being processed...

Marion, I am sorry you are having so much trouble getting what was due your father. I learned a long time ago to identify yoyrselffrom the begining and to keep complete copies of anything you send them in one file. It is so much easier to resubmit them when they need them (lost misplaced don't understand them etc.). Keep at them. Paul

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Walts Daughter

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Topic starter October 1, 2011 6:36 am

Thanks for your reply and thoughts.

I did keep a copy of everything I sent them including all attachments. It's just that they wanted MORE. And you cannot simply re-send the original form, but must re-do it from scratch. That's simply the Army way.

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company

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Walts Daughter

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Topic starter October 26, 2011 9:29 am

Got turned down FLAT on my request. No Purple Heart! 🙁

I am not a happy camper this morning. 🙁

Army's response; DENIED

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company

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Dogdaddy

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October 29, 2011 2:19 pm

Walt's Daughter' Got turned down FLAT on my request. No Purple Heart!

I am not a happy camper this morning. 🙁

That SUCKS, M1...So many NCO's and enlisted men in WWII never received the medals they deserved while officers were often awarded medals in a system of croanyisem which favored the sons of politicians and other silver spoon celebs that didn't do anything at all.

:bs:

Dogdaddy 1

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Walts Daughter

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Topic starter October 30, 2011 8:42 am

That is does suck, but what can I do? As I say; it is what it is. I may not like it, but...

It sure would have made me happy to be able to do this for my dad after ALL these years. Sorry I couldn't pull it off dad. You know I tried my best!

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company

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CaptO

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October 30, 2011 9:49 am

Sorry to hear that M. DD is right, there are a lot of men that never got the recognition they deserved.

Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien

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Walts Daughter

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Topic starter October 30, 2011 10:14 pm

Indeed. Well this is where we pay homage to all of them!

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company

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colinhotham

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November 2, 2011 5:05 am

Marion I know how much this meant to you and how much effort you have put into it. Your Dad could not have wished for more attention from his daughter and what you have done with this website in his memory is amazing. I'm sure you realise that his memory is now shared with many people every day both by members here and the many visitors. I would like to think that is some consolation.

Here is a completely "off the wall" suggestion!! 2013 is the 70th anniversary of Operstion Husky and the involvement in it of the US 36th Engineer Combat Regiment. How about holding that years 36th Reunion on Sicily in July??

I have a perfect location that I know well, between Palermo and Trapani and within reach of Licata and Gela. http://www.hotelcalamarina.it/

Maybe an "island too far" ???

Colin.

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Walts Daughter

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Topic starter November 2, 2011 6:30 am

Yes, Colin, that is INDEED a consoling fact, and that does make me happy. At least he will never be forgotten thanks to my efforts and that great internet in the sky.

Phooey with the US Army and their stick in the mud ideas!!!!

I will keep on keeping on with my web efforts and with the help of my many friends to keep the memories alive for all my WWII vets. Rock on!

Sure is nice hearing from you, good friend, and that I shall always cherish.

On the other note.... Man, that sounds like fun to me!!!!! "An island too far..." I'm still laughing; love the title!!! Hmmmmm, wouldn't have to twist my arm too hard...

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company

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paul

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November 18, 2011 9:35 am

:banghead: Marion , I don't know where you sent your last submission. Was it to St. Louis or to the appeals board? If it was the appeals board, I would send it to your Congressperson. Good Luck. Paul

That is does suck, but what can I do? As I say; it is what it is. I may not like it, but...

It sure would have made me happy to be able to do this for my dad after ALL these years. Sorry I couldn't pull it off dad. You know I tried my best!

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