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The  Official Electronic Newsletter of the Veterans and Descendants of the
U.S. 17th Airborne Division, WWII 
The mission of the "Scions of the 17th Airborne" is to honor the service of all veterans of the 17th, and to educate others about the history and sacrifices made by the troopers who served in this division during WWII.

We strive to accomplish these missions by holding regional gatherings where troopers and their families can gather, and by sharing their recollections.  We communicate with our membership using this "Thunder From Heaven" newsletter, through our website, and on our Facebook page. Additionally, we collect documents related to the history of the 17th and make them available to our membership.
Issue # 100 August 2022 
Please send us your 17th related news items, stories, questions etc., so that we can share them with the entire group. You may direct your mail to the Scions at:
Carolyn Tuttle, Adam Coolong, Ed Siergiej Jr.- Editors
Visit our Facebook page at:

17th Airborne Division Scions (Descendants)

Post your 17th related photos, stories and questions.
In This Newsletter
 
- Upcoming Events and Gatherings

- Central PA WWII Roundtable - Presentation about the
   history of the 17th Airborne Division by David Shortt

-  Scions to dedicate new memorial to Gen. Miley

-  Annual Gathering at Arlington National Cemetery

- 17th Airborne Memorial Refurbishment at
   Arlington National Cemetery

- Membership Renewal Information - by Secretary Ed Siergiej

- Welcome New Members

- Donations to Memorial & General Funds

Thunder Mail Call in memory of Editor Trooper Bill Tom

- New book about the 17th Airborne Division

- 17th Airborne Online Store

!!!!!   Special Edition    !!!!!

Upcoming Events and Gatherings

by Ed Siergiej, Secretary 

The next few months will be busy ones for our organization. We have a number of special events and gatherings taking place that we hope you can participate in. Information is listed below on each of the events. Should you have any questions, please contact the person listed as the primary leader of that event, or reach out to us at "Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com". We hope to see you there.
 
Thursday, October 6, 2022

Central Pennsylvania WWII Roundtable featured speaker
Scion David Shortt
and 17th Airborne Veteran Richard Weaver
 
David will do a presentation on the History of the 17th Airborne Division highlighting the Battle of the Bulge and Operation Varsity. He has a wealth of knowledge regarding the history of the 17th Airborne, and is the Curator for a museum which holds an excellent collection of 17th Airborne historical items. 

Trooper Richard Weaver served in Division HQ of the 17th Airborne, and recently made two trips to Europe with the Scions to see the areas where he served during WWII. 

Free to the public. Come hear David and wear your Scions attire for support.

Hummelstown PA Grace United Methodist Church.
433 E Main St, Hummelstown, PA 17036

7:00 PM

For questions, contact event coordinator, Patricia Bowers at   scion17th@gmail.com
Save the Date:
Friday, October 7, 2022

Airborne and Special Operations Museum
100 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 


Scions to Dedicate New Memorial to
General William Miley
 
Although there are a number of monuments that honor the service of General William "Bud" Miley, most are on active military bases and not accessible to the general public. 

Several years ago, the Scions initiated a project to honor General Miley, who commanded the 17th Airborne Division from its activation until the end of WWII. A memorial paver was designed with the help of General Mileys son Jack. The memorial was installed at the entrance to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC. in 2020. 

The dedication ceremony was delayed due to the Covid pandemic, but we are now able to announce that the ceremony will be held at the museum on
Friday, October 7, 2022 at 10:00 AM.

We are working with the 82nd Airborne Division, based at nearby Fort Bragg, to support this ceremony, and are hopeful that some members of General Mileys family may be able to attend as well.

For those who are unfamiliar with General Mileys military career, here are some highlights.
 
Major General William M Miley
1897 - 1997
Graduated from West Point - Class of 1918
Organized and Commanded the following Airborne Units
501st Parachute Infantry Battalion
503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment
Assistant Division Commander - 82nd Airborne Division
Commanded the 17th Airborne Division
Commanded the 11th Airborne Division
 
General Miley is considered the "Father of the US Paratrooper" 

After the ceremony, there will be plenty of time to have lunch and to visit the museum.
The museum features a C-47 Aircraft, a CG-4A glider, and many displays that honor our Airborne heritage.

The program is planned to last about one hour, afterwhich we will adjourn to a local eatery for lunch. The afternoon can be spent touring the museum.

If you plan to attend, please contact event coordinator, Ed Siergiej at "Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com" so that we can have enough seating available for everyone. The dedication is outside the museum, in front of the main entrance.
For those who will need a hotel, we are staying at the Embasy Suites, 4760 Lake Valley Dr, Fayetteville, NC. ,  910-826-3600

Other Hotel options are the MacPherson House B&B, 910- 302-7153,

or the Hampton Inn & Suites, Fayettevile, 910-635-3200

We look forward to seeing you there.
Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 9 & 10, 2022

Arlington National Cemetery

 
Our annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery will take place on Nov. 9 & 10, 2022.

This annual gathering, held on Veterans Day week each year, honors all the men in the 17th Airborne Division. 

At this time, we are aware of 51 17th Airborne Troopers who lie at rest at Arlington.  

We will travel about the cemetery and lay flowers on each grave as well as at the Battle of the Bulge memorial.

In addition, we will visit the World War II Memorial, and place a wreath at the Airborne panel.

We will have hotel recommendations for those who are traveling to this event. 

If you have questions, contact Pat O'Brien at Pandamom1@comcast.net
Please let Pat know if  you are planning to attend.

 
Scions Memorial Refurbishment of 17th Airborne Memorial at Arlington
 
In 1993, on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the division, the veterans of the 17th Airborne Division dedicated a memorial to the divisions fallen at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Each year since 2011 the Scions of the 17th Airborne have gathered at Arlington, on Veterans Day week, and have visited this memorial. Over the years, the ravages of time, and mowers have left their mark on this memorial. Recently, we found that the bronze plaque had become detached from the granite base. 

As this was a private monument, it is not the responsibility of the cemetery to maintain it. After consulting with the staff at Arlington, we have contracted for the monument to be repaired and refinished. Although it is unlikely that the work will be completed by the time of our visit in November, we are confidant that we will be able to visit the restored monument when we visit next year. 

Funding for the project, which is expected to cost over $4,000 is provided by donations to our Memorial Fund. Please consider making a donation to help us continue our mission to honor the men of the 17th Airborne. The Memorial Fund also pays for wreaths for the four Medal of Honor recipients and the cost of flying our division flag to the funerals of our veterans. 

We appreiciate your support of our missions.

 
Membership Renewal
 By Ed Siergiej
 
Our membership year runs from March 1 to February 29th of each year. Renewal notices were mailed out in February, and many of you have already renewed your membership. 

If you have not already done so, we encourage you to send in your renewal, so that we can continue to fulfill our missions. 

This newsletter, and all the activities of our Scions organization are supported by your membership. We mail hard copies of this newsletter to all of our 17th veterans, at no cost to them. 

If you are unsure of your dues status, please email us at Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com. 

Yearly Membership is $35 per person or $50 for a family.

Our mailing address is: 
Scions of the 17th Airborne
62A Forty Acre Mt. Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811-3353

If you use Paypal, you can pay your dues that way. Please use the Paypal Calculator to add the Paypal fee: https://www.salecalc.com/paypal

If you would like to make an additional contribution to support our General Fund, Memorial Fund, or the Dead Mans Ridge Walk Fund, it would be most appreciated. All donations will be acknowledged for tax purposes.

We thank you for your support of our missions; to honor the men of the 17th, and to keep its history alive.
Welcome New Members

David Howsware
Great Grandson of Carroll G. Sullivan (194/D)

Gina Aven
Daughter of Enzio Mangiantini (194 / HQ1)

Evan Miller
Grandson of Albert L. Miller (680/A)
 
Scions Memorial Fund
by Scion Secretary Ed Siergiej Jr.

The "Scions of the 17th Airborne Memorial Fund" is an account with the specific purpose of supporting activities that honor the memory of our veterans who have passed on.

Some examples of how these funds will be used are as follows:
  • Providing wreaths for our annual ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
  • Providing wreaths for the four Medal of Honor recipients on Memorial Day.
  • Funding for the cards sent to the families of veterans who have passed on.
  • Shipping our Division Flag to funerals for 17th veterans.
Contributions in memory of a 17th Veteran, or any group of 17th Veterans (Such as Co F, 513th, for example)
may be made to this fund by so designating.

Contributions can be made to:
Scions of the 17th Airborne Memorial Fund
62A Forty Acre Mt. Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811

Generous Donations to our Memorial Fund have been made by:

Adam Coolong


 
Donations to Scions General Fund
by Scion Secretary Ed Siergiej Jr.

Xavier Van Daele
Jayne Linfnate
Kathy Gault

Thunder Mail Call

For many years, Trooper Bill Tom (194/C) was a major contributor to the original hard copy newsletter of the 17th Airborne Division Association, "Thunder From Heaven." After the dissolution of the Association in 2007, Bill began an email version of the newsletter, and continued that publication, "Thunder Mail Call" until the formation of the Scions Organization in 2011. With Bill's help, we integrated his newsletter into this publication. We were saddened to hear of Bills passing on September 10, 2019. We dedicate this portion of our newsletter to Bill.
                                              New Book                   
 
 
17th Airborne Division at War
Photographs from the National Archive
by Edward R. Siergiej

This new book is the result of research at the US National Archives. It includes over 160 photographs from a collection of the US Army Signal Corp taken in Belgium and Germany.

Each photograph has the original caption by the Signal Corp photographer. Context to the photographs is provided with excerpts from the Division Diary.
 
$25 each, includes S&H in the U.S.A. Mail your check to:
Scions of the 17th Airborne
62A Forty Acre Mt. Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811
or 
Pay with PayPal to Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com
Diary of a WWII Gliderman 263 pages indexed with numerous pictures. Jack and Betty Ogden letters (1940-1945) from 17th AB 194th HQ,  Camp Mackall, Camp Forrest, Battle of the Bulge, Operation Varsity, plus letters from family and friends in other theaters of operation.

Limited copies $40.00, checks only: John Ogden, 102 Adams Avenue, Woodsfield, OH 4379
For orders outside of the USA, contact John for postage.

Editors note: This book gives a great insight into what was going through the mind of one trooper in the 17th during training, combat, and after the end of the fighting in the ETO. Information from the division historical record gives context to the bigger picture that was unknown to the men in the front lines. A great book for anyone who wants to know more about what it was like to be "Airborne" in 1944 - 45. Thanks to Scion John Ogden for making this limited edition book available.  (Ed Siergiej Jr.)
 
17th Airborne Division "Online Store"
Click here to be directed to the store
Below are some of the items in our "Online Store"

All items include S&H in the USA. Mail your check to:

Scions of the 17th Airborne
62A Forty Acre Mt. Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811

Or use Paypal by sending your funds to us at
Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com
Below are some of the items in our "Online Store"

All items include S&H in the USA. Mail your check to:

Scions of the 17th Airborne
62A Forty Acre Mt. Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811

Or use Paypal by sending your funds to us at
Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com
This 280 page collection of stories from Troopers of Company A of the 513th PIR is reformatted for easier reading. Includes many photos, maps and diagrams from the troopers of Co A.

$35 Includes S&H in the USA. Mail your check to:

Scions of the 17th Airborne
62A Forty Acre Mt. Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811
 Show your 17th Airborne pride with this new cap made only for the Scions of the 17th Airborne Division.
Made in the USA !!!
$25 each, includes S&H in the U.S.A.
 These new 22 oz. stainless steel water bottles are made in the U.S.A, and feature the 17th Talon on one side, and the Scions logo on the other.

$17 each, includes S&H in the U.S.A.

Scion Coffee Mugs
 
These new 15 oz. mugs are made in the U.S.A., and feature the 17th Talon on one side, and the Scions logo on the other.

$20 each, includes S&H in the U.S.A.
 

Become a Member of the
Scions of the 17th Airborne!


Our mission is to ensure that the sacrifice and history of the 17th Airborne Division is not forgotten.

Distinguished Honorary Members 
All veterans of the 17th are considered as "Distinguished Honorary Members" of the Scions.  We exist to honor you, our veterans. We do not ask for dues from our honored veterans, as we exist to honor you!

Regular membership in the Scions of the 17th Airborne is open to any descendant or family member of any trooper who served with the 17th during its existence.

Associate Membership is available to individuals who have an interest in the history of the 17th Airborne, but are not related to a veteran of the 17th. Associate Members do not have voting rights.

To join our growing organization, contact the Scions at: 
Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com

Our website contains a wealth of information on the 17th Airborne and its history, and our Members Section (open exclusively to dues-paying Scions) contains hundreds of pages of documents obtained from the National Archives!  Check it out at www.17thscions.org!

We also have a great Facebook page, where there are lots of great posts by friends of the 17th in the U.S. and in Europe. Check us out on Facebook at: 
17th Airborne Division Scions (Descendants).

Please consider passing this on to your children and grandchildren, if they are not already members. As our membership grows, we can take on new projects of value.

President
Jeff Schumacher, Son of John Schumacher (194/D & HQ)
Vice President
Skip Greeby, Scion of William Smith ( 466HQ)
Secretary
Ed Siergiej Jr., son of Edward J. Siergiej (194/C) 

Treasurer
Dan Aas, Son of Lynn Aas (193/D)
 
Past Presidents
Adam Coolong, grandson of Charles E. Booth (680th/HQ)
 Melanie Sembrat, daughter of Harry Sembrat (513th)
Rose Friday, daughter of Edward Friday (194th)

 Committee Chairs

Veteran Outreach / Family Liaison Coordinators - Patricia Bowers, Rose Friday and Sandy Remes 
Membership Committee - Patricia Bowers, Chair
Advisory Committee - Melanie Sembrat - daughter of Harry Sembrat (513th)
Legal Council - Chuck Katz - son of John Katz (194th) 
Historian - Paul Madden - son of Harold Madden (680th/A)
Memorial Committee - Jerry and Pat O'Brien
Archive Coordinator - Adam Coolong
Thunder From Heaven Newsletter - Ed Siergiej and Carolyn Tuttle


 
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Our mailing address is:
Scions of the 17th Airborne
62A Forty Acre Mt. Rd
Danbury, CT 06811
Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com
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