Where do I sign up for my autographed copy? It will be really special to own a copy of your first book Marion!

Dogdaddy Jim

Brooke:

Received your package this morning. Have already signed your copy of my magazine article and will be placing it back in the mail today. It was a real thrill for me to do so and I am very honored that you asked.

Well today is the day. Received a big package from Fort Leonard Wood and in it were copies of my magazine from Army Engineer Magazine. It turned out just spectacular. I am very pleased. When I get a chance later today, I will scan the cover (it's dedicated to the 540th) and the article and place it on the site for all to read.

I am planning on giving copies to the vets of the 540th for Christmas gifts. I hope this touches their hearts.

Thanks to Michael, the editor extraordinaire, for an outstanding job. I can't thank you enough!

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I am planning on giving copies to the vets of the 540th for Christmas gifts. I hope this touches their hearts.

I am certain they will appreciate it even more... having come from one of their own, by way of Walt....Good Job Marion!

Dogdaddy Jim

Here's the article in two parts. Thought it would be easier to download/open this way. I scanned it at high res (sorry), so it will take a while to download and open. Please be patient.

https://ww2combatengineers.comdoc...eerArticle1.pdf

https://ww2combatengineers.comdoc...eerArticle2.pdf

I gotta share this with you guys. I still can't believe it. Well actually I can.

As you know, I not only shared my first publication with you, many of my long time friends here in Michigan. Anyway, we attended a summer party shortly after it was released, and we brought a few copies with us.

So a few weeks later two dear friends came to visit us and were talking about the article. They said they really loved it and were very proud of me. Thanks I said. My girlfriend then said, I have to tell you this. She proceeded to tell me that one of our mutual friends said to her, "Do you really think SHE wrote that?" I guess my friend looked at him in disbelief! WHAT? He then repeated, "Do you really think SHE WROTE THAT?" Of course she did, she replied exasperated, and berated him for even asking.

She said she hesitated to tell me this, but I told her, I'm glad you did, for whoever said it isn't much of a friend and it doesn't say a whole hell of a lot about HIM, now does it? This kind of behavior in people just makes me shake my head.

Had to get that one off my chest. Who needs friends like that?

I am certain they will appreciate it even more... having come from one of their own, by way of Walt....Good Job Marion! 

 

 

Dogdaddy  Jim

Thanks sweetie. I was very excited when I opened the package. Then my brother-in-law and his wife dropped by and requested a copy. They are going to read it tonight in front of the fireplace. Ah, how romantic. Reading war articles.... Maybe a fine Merlot with that?

WOW!!! That really turned out good. Congratulations on a great job Marion.

Chris

Thanks Chris. I thought it was just beautiful and once again must give a lot of the credit to Michael. We made a good team.

Can't wait till the guys get to see it. I hope to get their copies out to them within the next week.

A heads-up for you; I would like to write a similar article for the 36th.

The article also gave me great inspiration for the layout of my book. I want to make it very easy on the eye and full of visuals.

I wasnt able to read the sidebar on the pdf version.

So if I understand you right ,the layout would be similar to a coffee table book with alot of pics? Or do you have something else in mind?

chris

Great article.

I learned something. I didn't know the 540th had 4000 troops in it when it was in Italy. Thought that came later when it was a Group.

Steve

That was just for the landing party. The 540th worked many times as a shore regiment so often times were attached to or had other units attached to them. At those times their unit numbers swelled.

Many of the engineer units changed from regiments to groups and this was actually no big deal. It's only a name and DID NOT affect the actual group structure or integrity.

For example when the 540th changed from 540th Engineer Combat Regiment to 540th Engineer Combat Group, the only thing that changed was 1st Bn became the 2832nd and 2nd Bn became the 2833rd. In other words it was all pretty superficial.

I wasnt able to read the sidebar on the pdf version.

 

So if I understand you right ,the layout would be similar to a coffee table book with alot of pics? Or do you have something else in mind?

chris

Yes, moving more towards a coffee table type layout. Gives me a lot more latitude. I am going to do all the layout work myself too. I will probably use the same software that Col Mike, the editor of Army Engineer Mag is using. He does ALL the layouts for his magazine using that software.

I really like the look and feel. I want to have the ability to do black and white and color and have pretty much total control over my project.

Great job Marion. Like so many others I look forward to reading more of your work. Two things are for sure. It is a labor of love, and it is very very well researched.

Congratulations,

Parker

Thank you very, very much! Yes, you are right; it is a labor of love and that comes from the heart. Regarding the research, well I am giving my very best shot and always try to confer with my vets to make sure that what I am presenting is as factual as it can be.

I am trying to get some last minute stories for the book, so am lighting a fire under a few behinds to get people motivated. I find that is what I love about my favorite books, so want to make sure I get as many anecdotes, etc. from the vets before it's too late!