Because it is Memorial Day

426wedge

NES Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2011
Messages
2,708
Likes
1,849
Location
western MA
Feedback: 0 / 0 / 0
I am going to re post this. Keep in mind that this was written by an old Korean War vet, and he sort of runs things together.....Sky Soldier inspired me with his post


This is a copy of a letter that Bill Mahar sent me as to my brother's fate:
Vail: Remi and I used to fish together in the Westfield River over where the railroad bridge crosses from Elm to North Elm St. Met Remi in Tokyo at the snack bar in the PX., he had been down in Eta-jima school command attending a school and when the Korean War started the military closed the school and sent all the students back to their units, Remi was heading back to the 31st. Infantry Regiment, heavy mortar company, 7th. Infantry Division up in Northern Japan, Sendai. He stayed over night at my unit in Tokyo, then left the next day to report in to his unit. During his stay with me we had pictures(portrait) taken and when I got back to Westfield I took a picture of him and gave it to his mother, who at the time lived on W. Silver St. in a house across from Noble Hospital. It probably is around somewhere. My unit got to Korea ahead of his unit and when his unit got to Pusan Harbor on troop ships designated to the invasion of Inchon Harbor. I recall talking to a 7th. MP down on the docks in Pusan and mentioned Remi's unit to him and he pointed out the actual ship that the unit was on. Unfortunately I did not go out to see him as I figured I would see him up the line sometime. Never did. Remi was in the Inchon invasion and later was involved with the Chosin Reservoir operation. Where Remi's Regiment had 4 Chinese Divisions roll over them. If you do any reading and can get the book titled East of The Chosin, author Roy Appleman you might find it interesting. Talked a few years back to Remi's First Sgt(now dead) in Phoenix AZ. He told me that Remi had been shot in the chest and loaded with the other wounded in a truck and the truck in attempting to run a Chinese roadblock the truck was stopped, shot up and burned by the Chinese with all the wounded aboard. Trying to ascertain that Remi was on the truck I made contact with another guy from Mississippi in Remi's unit and he told me that he remembers giving Remi a cigarette on the truck just before the roadblock incident. Remember this all occurred in an area where zero degrees and no snow was considered a good day. Keep in touch, see if whoever has that portrait of Remi. Regards: Bill Mahar
 
I hope your family found some peace in getting that letter. I offer my condolences for the loss of your brother. I am sure he is resting in peace having done his duty and defending his beloved country and countrymen.
 
On this day, I frequently think about the people that served in many forsaken places and a shiver runs through me. Indianapolis survivors, Iwo people, Pearl Harbor, Bastogne, Khe Sanh, the Chosin Frozen and a hundred other hell holes that thank my lucky stars, I will never see or experience. My brothers and sisters I will never forget.

My little league team members are spread around the city on signs marking their ultimate gift to the people that never heard a shot.
 
Back
Top Bottom