Copy
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 # 103 December 2022 - January 2023 
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 - Editors
Visit our Facebook page at:

17th Airborne Division Scions (Descendants)


 
In This Newsletter
 


-  Presidents Message - From Scion President Skip Greeby

- Save the Date for our Annual Operation Varsity Gathering in   
  Gettysburg, PA - March 23, 24, 25 2023

- Save our History - by David Shortt

- 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

- TAPS


- New books about the 17th Airborne Division

- 17th Airborne Online Store
Message from Scion President Skip Greeby
 
Fellow Scions,

Mindful that we’re already a number of weeks into 2023, do know that your Board and committee chairs have been busy this year with new projects and organizing our association’s 2023 key events. Of particular focus has been our work in planning this year’s keystone event: Scions Reunion and Annual Meeting. As you already know from prior notices, the reunion will be held 23-26 March in the Gettysburg Hotel. 

Already, over 60 Scions and two veterans have confirmed their attendance. With the opportunity to meet these two veterans, this year’s reunion is one that you won’t want to miss. A few thoughts about our upcoming gathering in advance:

1. As evidenced by the attached schedule of events, it will be a busy and fun-filled three days of meeting old and new friends, conversing with our attending veterans, and experiencing Scion and Gettysburg related events. Those events in particular highlighted in blue are “not to be missed.” 

2. The Candlelight Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 24th, corresponding with the 78th anniversary of Operation Varsity. Following the 1-hour service during which our 17th Airborne veterans past and present will be honored, lunch will be served in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Our attending vets will be interviewed by the local press, and Scion 
David Saggio (a pro photographer) has offered to photograph anyone who wants to be, holding an 8 x 10 unframed photograph of their 17th Airborne relative. David will be available for these photo shoots back at the hotel on Friday and Saturday on a "walk in" basis.
As Ed Siergiej (Scion Secretary) will explain during the reunion, these photos will then be saved in our new online museum platform, newsletter, Facebook page, website, etc, all with prior owner’s permission.

3. Later Friday afternoon, Kris White (Director of the Gettysburg Battlefield Trust) will present a 90 minute overview of the 3-day Gettysburg battle, Gettysburg’s WWII participation, with a Q&A session following. Kris heads the Gettysburg guide program, so his presentation is on our “not to be missed” list.

4. On Saturday, March 25, Scion Patty Bowers (Membership Chair) has arranged for a 10:00 AM visit and lunch at Gettysburg’s WWII American Experience Museum (845 Crooked Creek Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325). This museum is an easy 3-mile drive from the hotel. The group admission rate is $10/person (WWII vets and a companion free). Additionally, there will be a box lunch for an additional $15/person that will be served from 11:00-12:00 at the museum. Our group will be seated together. 
If you would like to be part of this group, please e-mail Patty (scion17th@gmail.com) prior to March 10 with the number in your group so that she can notify the museum in advance accordingly. Money will be collected at the museum on the day of the event. See https://visitww2.org for more information.

5. After lunch, our Annual General Membership meeting will be held back in the hotel at 1:00-2:00 PM. During this meeting, your Board members and committee chairs will report on their progress and plans for 2023.

6. After this meeting and Ed Siergiej’s report on our new Online Museum project, David Shortt (Scion Historian) will present a comprehensive historical overview of the 17th Airborne Division, from concept and activation in 1943 thru the Bulge and Varsity, ending with de-activation in 1945. And if you are an attending “leg” (not a paratrooper), you’ll be ceremonially qualified as a jumper by David later that evening.

What a great reunion and meeting this is shaping up to be! So, if you haven’t already, please reserve your room at the Gettysburg Hotel ASAP, and tell the reservationist that you’re a member of the 17th Airborne group. Joan and I look forward to seeing you all in now but a few weeks in Gettysburg.

Skip Greeby
President
Scions of the 17th Airborne Division

 
SCIONS ANNUAL MEETING - GETTYSBURG, PA
March 23-26, 2023
  Edit:  2/16/23
Thursday, 23 March:
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM:              Hotel Check-In
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM                 Dinner - on your own (Hotel, or numerous restaurants
                                               nearby)
2:00 PM - 10:00 PM:              Hospitality Room Open (Eisenhower Room)

 
Friday, 24 March:
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM:             Breakfast - on your own
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM:          
Candlelight Memorial Service - Gettysburg Presbyterian
                                               Church

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM:              Lunch - Church Fellowship Hall
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM:                TV and newspaper interviews with attending veterans;
                                                Individual Scion photographs w/photo of their veteran
                                                relative.  (Church Fellowship Hall)
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM:                Free time to explore Gettysburg
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM:               
Presentation: Gettysburg Battle & WWII - Kris White
                                                (Battlefield Trust)

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM:                Dinner - on your own (Hotel, or numerous restaurants
                                                nearby)
1:00 PM - 10:00 PM:              Hospitality Room open (Eisenhower Room)

 
Saturday, 25 March:
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM:               Breakfast - on your own
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM:          
WWII American Experience Museum group tour
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM:           Lunch - WWII American Experience Museum
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM:               
Annual General Membership Meeting - Skip Greeby
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM:                Online Museum Briefing - Ed Siergiej
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM:              
17th Airborne History Presentation - David Shortt
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM:               Dinner - on your own (Hotel, or numerous restaurants
                                               nearby)
7:30 PM - 8:00 PM:               
New Member Jump Qualification - David Shortt
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM:           Hospitality Room open (Eisenhower Room)
 
Sunday, 26 March:
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM:             Breakfast - on your own
NLT 11:00 AM:                      Hotel Check-Out/Departure
Save the Date!!!!!
Scions Annual Operation Varsity Gathering

Gettysburg, PA
March 23,24 and 25, 2023


 IT’S TIME FOR THE 17TH AIRBORNE REUNION AND….. ALL ROADS LEAD TO GETTYSBURG PENNSYLVANIA
This is slated to be our best reunion yet! Come experience a fully immersive 3 days of military history in historic Gettysburg. From the Civil War to WWII, there will be many interactive activities for you to explore.
 
While we are still in the planning stages for all the activities, but, we will have our annual candlelight memorial service for our fallen troopers, our annual meeting, and the informative powerpoint presentation on the 17th Airborne Division by Scion David Shortt.

You can even earn a certifiate (after you are jump qualified in the hospitality room) and become an honorary paratrooper! We will be staying at the Historic Gettysburg Hotel Est 1797 and is located in the heart of historic Gettysburg and is within walking distance of the battlefield, historic area attractions and many local shops and restaurants.

The address for the hotel is: Gettysburg Hotel One Lincoln Square Gettysburg, PA 17325 The room rate is $149 per night with a small fee to park in the municipal garage. Check in is at 4-check out 11

THIS WILL SELL OUT!!

Get your room early.
Cut off Date is February 24, 2023
Here are both ways of making hotel reservations.
Attendees can call the hotel directly at 717-337-2000 and ask to make reservations in the room block for the Scions of the 17th Airborne Division or by following the steps below for booking online.

Online Reservations Visit www.hotelgettysburg.com Click on Reservations Tab at top of screen Choose Date of Stay Tab Click on Add Code at bottom of screen and choose Group Attendee Group Code: SCIO032323 Click Add and follow prompts to complete reservation More information to come!!! Bring the entire family. This is a once in a lifetime education experience for children. History meets living legends! Any questions contact Patty Bowers at Scion17th@gmail.com or
Ed Siergiej at scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com 
                               

SAVING OUR HISTORY #40
Hello Veterans and Scions of our beloved 17th Airborne Division! This month we will profile Combat Medic DUILIO MONTANARI, a Italian-American from Buffalo, New York. An original member of the 17th,  DUILIO served from 1943-1945 in the 224th Airborne Medical Company, the 17th's glider and parachute capable Medical Company. DUILIO was active in Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, including Operation "Varsity" where the 224th Medical Company landed by Glider on the western edge of Landing Zone "N" just south of Hamminkeln, Germany on 24 March, 1945. It took 48 CG4A Waco gliders in serials A20 and A21 to transport the Company to the LZ, where immediately after landing it begin setting up a Treatment Station and commenced support operations. After the war ended DUILIO participated in the Berlin occupation with assignment to the 307th Airborne Medical Company, 82nd Airborne Division. DUILIO went on to serve with the Army in the Korean War and achieved the rank of 1st Sergeant. Sadly DUILIO passed away in 2003, after a life of service. Thank you DUILIO for your service to the nation!


On public display at the Veterans Memorial Museum Foundation are some of DUILIO's personal effects from his Army service. His WWII enlisted four pocket tunic, which he wore in the Army after WWII and through his Korean Service, displays the Glider Badge and Combat Medical Badge, awarded to Medical Personnel for performing medical duties in combat.  Also present is DUILIO's Red Cross Brassard, worn by Medical Personnel in combat.  Lastly, the photographs depicts DUILIO (left) and an unknown comrade in Germany, sometime after Operation "Varsity", spring of 1945. The photograph with DUILIO holding the 224th Guidon, was taken at Camp Mackall, NC, circa 1943.



DAVID SHORTT/SCION of KENNETH SHORTT, HSC/139th

Historian, SCIONS of the 17th Airborne Division Association

VETERANS MEMORIAL MUSEUM FOUNDATION
123 S. MAIN ST.
GERMANTOWN, OH 45327
937-855-4763
Membership Renewal
 By Ed Siergiej

 
Membershp renewal letters have been mailed out, and many of our members have already responded. We are mailing out your new membership cards and acknowledgment letters for contributions as fast as possible.

Our membership year runs from March 1 to February 29th of each year. 


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 only possible with the support of our 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

Janice Amos
Daughter of Vincent A. von Henke (CIC)
 

Wayne Brotherton
Nephew of George Bowman (466 C)

Justin Knapp
Grandson of William R. Knapp (193/A)

Michael Siergiej

Grandson of Edward J. Siergiej (194/C)

Christopher Skotarczak

Nephew of Henry Skotarczak (193rd GIR) KIA

 
Donations to Scions Memorial Fund
by Scion Secretary Ed Siergiej Jr.
 
John Klodnicki
Peter Brooks
Helen Lee and John Coleman
Douglas Duran
Duncan Galloway
John McKenna
Tony Parks
Noah Paulovic

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

Xavier Van Daele
Adam Coolong
Peter Brooks
Helen Lee and John Coleman
Douglas Duran
Roger Harris
John McKenna
Noah Paulovic

 

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.
THOMAS ROTZ of Wesel, Germany is a young German military historian with a heavy interest in the modern US Marine Corps, which current Airborne Types grudgingly respect!  The SCIONS met THOMAS on the 2022 ETO Trip, and it was evident that he was also interested in supporting our organization for the sacrifices incurred by the 17th Airborne Division during Operation "Varsity" on 24 March, 1945, which liberated his town, province and country. THOMAS has made it a point to ensure that our beloved 17th Airborne Division Memorial at Haus Duden near Wesel, is decorated with candles and flags on appropriate dates to ensure the memory of the 17th Troopers is further reinforced and not forgotten. In gratitude, the SCIONS recently sent THOMAS a thank you letter and a 17th Airborne SCIONS challenge coin. Thank you THOMAS for your continued effort to honor the 17th Airborne Division and its sacrifices!

DAVID SHORTT
Historian, SCIONS of the 17th Airborne Division Association Inc.

TAPS

 
IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN SOLDIER
by Isaac Epps (RIP)
 
   The ones who went
   Were truly sent
   To do a Noble Deed;
   When evil showed
   They took the load
   In Justice, they believed.
   They heard the call
   And gave their All
   And some did not not come back.
   They knew the chance
   But took the stance
   When Liberty was attacked.
   It Speaks of Duty, Faith; and Love;
   It speaks of a respect
   for Country; For Others,
   For the Right of Man;
   To forget would be neglect.
   On this Their Day
   We stop to pray
   Their Memory shall live;
   The sacrifice they made was Life.
   What more can someone Give?
17th Airborne Memorial
Fort Benning, Georgia
Standing Guard

Submitted by Dominic Biello
If you become aware of the passing of one of our 17th Airborne veterans, please notify us immediately.
We will make every effort to locate a member of the organization to attend the funeral and support the family in any way possible.
Often, by the time an obituary is posted, little time remains to make these arrangements. 

Send an email to
Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com.
Our Veteran Outreach Team will also contact the family. 
Philip Cavaleri
513/F

We have been informed that Philip Cavaleri, age 97 of Easton, MA, passed away at home on December 21, 2022
Cecelia Macauley

Widow of Jack Macauley 513/HQ2

 

It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of Cecelia Antoinette Macauley. She passed on 12/28/2022 from natural causes.

She was born on January 3, 1929 in Pittsburg, PA, one of six siblings (Audrey Marr, Grace Nugent and James, Charles and Warren Marr – all deceased) to parents of Cecelia and Warren Marr. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, John, her friend, confident and love.

Cecelia is survived by her beloved daughter Patrice Macauley (Baker), granddaughter Jennifer Knapp, grandson Eric Esposito and seven great grandchildren, as well as stepson Gregory Macauley and step grandson Scott Perkins.

She loved to be in the garden, cooking, sewing, traveling and being with family.

She enlisted in the US Air Force Nurse Corps during the Korean War as a Second Lieutenant and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant.

 She worked for the Bronx VA Hospital as a head nurse and instructor of the Spinal Cord Injury Unit. She went on to work at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons as nurse coordinator for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harlem Hospital. This was followed as Professor Emeritus at SUNY Ulster to teach nursing and later she became Director for the Development Center of Business and Continuing Education.

She graduated from Teachers College at Columbia University where she earned three degrees: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Arts in Nursing Administration and Masters in Nursing Education.

She was honored by the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Assoc in 1966, was the Kingston YWCA Women of the Year in 1990 and honored by the Kingston Hospital Foundation in 2000.

 She authored several professional articles published in geriatric, nursing and physical rehabilitation journals.

She was a past member and volunteer of several organizations: the DAV, the American Legion Post 150, President of Wiltwyck Care, Board of Trustees of Kingston Hospital, Chairman of Kingston Hospital Foundation (designated Director Emeritus at the conclusion of her term), Advisory Board of Benedictine Hospital, Ulster County Advisory Council on Women’s Issues, President of the Women’s Aux. VFW Post 8959, President of the Women’s Aux 17th Airborne Div. Assoc., President of Zonta International, President of the Shawangunk Garden Club and Kingston Hospital Aux.

There will be no viewing services. She will be cremated and buried at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery alongside her husband.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, 80 Washington St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or go to their website: HVHospice.org.

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
                                              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
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
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.)

 
 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
Skip Greeby, Scion of William Smith ( 466HQ)
Vice President
Gerald O'Brien, Gold Star son of John L. O'Brien (466th) KIA
Secretary
Ed Siergiej Jr., son of Edward J. Siergiej (194/C)
 

Treasurer
Dan Aas, Son of Lynn Aas (193/D)
 
Past Presidents
Jeff Schumacher, Son of John Schumacher (194/D & HQ)
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 - Jeff Schumacher, Son of John Schumacher (194/D & HQ)
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
History & Archive Coordinators - Adam Coolong and David Shortt
Thunder From Heaven Newsletter - Ed Siergiej and Carolyn Tuttle


 
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Copyright © *|2013|* *|Scions of the 17th Airborne, All rights reserved.


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

Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com
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