Memorial Day Photos 2004

6/06/04   This collection of pictures have been submitted by folks that participated in the Memorial Day Festivities in Washington, D.C.  

Dick Schonberger, Charles Gant, and Joe Bossi supplied these photos from the Memorial Day festivities in Washington, D.C.

Memorial Day weekend in Washington , D.C. was an especially festive and memorable occasion this year.  The dedication of the World War II Memorial prompted a larger turnout than usual and together with the Association’s events on Sunday provided a great opportunity for Screaming Eagles of every generation to get together.  The National Capital Area Chapter made every effort to help make it happen and enjoyed the opportunity to see old friends and comrades again.

 The Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in partnership with American Battle Monuments Commission did a great job organizing the National World War II Reunion. This open-air, tented activity was open daily, Thursday through Sunday, May 27-30.  Two large performance pavilions were opened where guests could hear the live sounds of big band, swing and other music from the WWII era.  A Wartime Stories Tent was also established where narrative sessions, interviews and workshops on a variety of topics, and chats with prominent WWII veterans took place.  A Veterans History Project Tent where the Veterans History Project at the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress was also available.  The Reunion Hall, a pavilion where veterans and their families could relax and get acquainted with others was very popular.  Although tickets were very difficult or near impossible to obtain because of the many thousands of requests, the armed forces ceremonial and musical units stationed in Washington , D.C. staged an entertainment salute to all WWII veterans at the MCI Center that was, by all accounts, spectacular.

The dedication of the World War II Memorial on Saturday was the centerpiece of the weekend for tens of thousands of people.  The event began with moving tributes to the heroes of World War II, living and dead, who made victory in that war possible.  As the American flag was raised over the monument for the first time, President George Bush accepted the newly dedicated monument in the name of a grateful American people.  The Chapter was able, in the end, to come up with tickets for everyone who came to Washington , despite the fact that some of our tickets, mailed out earlier in the month, went astray in the mail.  The hospitality room at the Hilton Hotel in Old Town Alexandria served as a gathering place and point of reference for many of the Screaming Eagles in town for the event.  Rooms in the area were at a premium and we regret very much that some families were unable to come.  For those who overcame all the challenges including the relentless throbbing of 17-year cicadas and motorcycle engines and daunting crowds, it was a memorable event.  Even the weather cooperated with moderate temperatures and no rain.

On Sunday, the magnitude of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally became apparent to anyone trying to get anywhere in Washington .  The parade of bikers took over Constitution Avenue for hours and prevented our buses from reaching the Vietnam Memorial.  The city closed dozens of major streets to accommodate the rally and some people were even unable to reach the 101^st Airborne Division Memorial in Arlington Cemetery or make the luncheon.  For those who did reach Arlington , including, eventually, our buses, the event was a solemn tribute to all the Screaming Eagles who have soared, from World War II to Afghanistan and Iraq .  Association President Johnny Velasquez, 101^st Airborne Division Commander, MG Tom Turner and noted historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author and journalist Rick Atkinson, all spoke eloquently of the sacrifices and gallantry of the nation’s greatest fighting Division.  Further dignifying the event was a Division honor guard composed entirely of combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan , proudly wearing thescreaming Eagle on both shoulders.  A bugler from the Army Band played “Taps” to conclude the event.  A great luncheon followed at the Hilton Hotel.  Our guest speaker was LTG Harry Kinnard, Division G-3 at Bastogne and the father of Air Assault.  Later, people lingered into the evening telling the usual war stories, making new friends along the way and renewing old acquaintances.  The Chapter looks forward to seeing everyone again next year.

George S. Malleck
1347 19th Road, South
Arlington, VA 22202-1637

(click on each photo to enlarge it)

Active Duty Troops Placing a Afghanistan-Iraq Wreath at the 101st Memorial -Photo by D. Schonberger

Benediction at the Memorial Ceremony -Photo by D. Schonberger

Color Guard at the 101st Abn. Div. Memorial -Photo by D. Schonberger

Ed Davis, Dennis Husereau, and Tom Taylor from the D.C. Chapter -Photo by D. Schonberger

Joe Bossi with Members of the 401 GIR - Photo by D. Schonberger

LTG(R) Kinnard Addresses Our Group - Photo by D. Schonberger

MG Turner with the 401st GIR Members -Photo by D. Schonberger

President Velasquez, MG Turner, LTG Kinnard, and XB Cox -Photo by D. Schonberger

Retiring The Colors - Photo by D. Schonberger

Preident Johnny Velasquez and George Mallek - Photo by C. Gant

Color Guard at the 101st Memorial - Photo by C. Gant

MG Turner and X.B. Cox -Photo by C. Gant

CSM (R) Joe Bossi and His Son - Photo by C. Gant

Joe Beyrle, Patty and John Squires - Photo by C. Gant

101st Group at the Memorial - Photo by C. Gant

MG Turner Speaking at the Memorial -Photo by C. Gant

Johnny Velasquez and Vinnie Vicari  - Photo by C. Gant

Photo by C. Gant

WWII Dedication Crowds - Photo by C. Gant

Laying Wreaths at the 101st Memorial at Arlington - Photo by J. Bossi

Picture of my Jeep from the rear with webgear displayed on the rear of the vehicle.  Bastogne! Joseph M.Bossi CSM.(Ret) Honorary SGM 327th Infantry Regt.

Sgt. Bastogne,  being counseled by the Regimental Commander, for conduct unbecoming a Sergeant,during the Regiments Memorial Day Unit Ceremony, Fort Campbell,KY.  JM Bossi 327th Infantry Regt.

CSM Bart Womack, Command Sergeant Major, 327th Infantry Regiment, 327th Memorial Day Ceremony Honor in the Soldier's who paid the ultimate price during the War in Iraq and those who went before.  JMBossi  CSM. (Ret) Honorary Sergeant Major 327th Infantry Regiment.

Regimental Memorial Day Ceremony Fort Campbell, KY. 27 May 2004. This Ceremony Honored the Regiments losses since World War One, and the current War in Iraq, CSM (Ret) is wearing the uniform of a First Sergeant from the 327th Infantry Glider Regiment, his 1942 GPW.Ford Jeep is behind him.  Bastogne!  J.M.Bossi,CSM.(Ret) Honorary SGM.327th Inf.Regt.

All photos on this page are the property of Dick Schonberger, Charles Gant, or Joe Bossi.  You should contact them for permission before using them, thanks!..........  L. Frazier     06/06/04