"Dear John, Although it has been many years since the death of your brother Michael I wish to project my deepest sympathy to you and the rest of Michael's family. I am sending your request for information on him to Captain Shifflette, president of the A/1/7 assn, who publishes a newsletter several times yearly. I didn't know Michael myself as I had joined Able Company 3 weeks before April 23, 1951, but no opportunity to get to know others. Dear Shifty, Requesting that you publish in the company newsletter, when possible, that John Robert Misovic, Sr, would like to contact anyone who knew his brother, Corporal Michael Misovic who was KIA on 23 April 1951. John's address is 5246 S. Mason Ave, Chicago, IL 60638. Email: Sabrell36@sbcglobal.net SEMPER FI! JIM" I received this email from Eddie Arechiga 1stPlt 3rdSqd 11/51 - 9/52, concerning their Platoon Leader Lieutenant Jules Gerding 1952 who passed on to his final duty station on 22 June 2004. "Dear Shifty, I'm writing to you re: this email ... but please understand that I'm not writing because I want to be published. This is merely an email between you and me and I felt you'd be interested. Lt. Jules Gerding was a super nice fella and outstanding officer. After A/1/7 went through the horror of Hill 104 Mr. Gerding wound up in the rear. The result of a wound I believe. Anyway, it was he who took the time to find me and notify me sometime around early July 1952, |
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that I was scheduled to leave Korea around the 15th of July. He found me and gave me a hand-written note that I kept over these many years.
When he died, I wrote his family and sent along a copy of the note. I subsequently heard from Mr. Gerding's daughter-in-law and then from his daughter Elizabeth. I'm forwarding her email to you because it touched a tender nerve in me and I felt her sincerity come through in her kudos to us Marines. The photos she sent are wonderful to see, Mr. Gerding aged well and seems to have enjoyed the love and respect of a fabulous family. Semper Fi, Eddie From: Elizabeth Gerding To: elarechiga@comcast.net Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 12:54 PM Subject: My Dad - Jules Gerding Dear Mr. Arechiga, I am Jules E. Gerding's daughter, Elizabeth. I wanted to write and tell you that when I read your letter it touched me deeply. I appreciate so much you sharing a copy of the note Dad gave to you all those years ago. It struck me (and my brother) how his signature was exactly the same as the one we know. That you have kept this note for so long speaks volumes for the relationship you shared, the importance of that time in your life and also in our country's history. Thank you for the contribution you made to our country along side of my father. My father was a wonderful man who I loved dearly and I miss so much now that he is gone from my life. He was such a sweet and gentle man who always lived in the present and looked hopefully to the future. He did not dwell on the |
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past even though he had his share of hardship and losses. He did not talk much about the war and I think that was because there was so much pain in those memories for him.
Several years ago I took Dad to Washington, D.C. while he was here visiting me and we went to the see the Korean War Memorial. It is a humbling and awesome sight. Life size bronze statues of soldiers in full combat gear and rain ponchos walking in a formation, of sorts, as if on a mission. Dad stood there for the longest time with tears in his eyes and then he said, "Those poor wet men, those poor wet men." think it really took him back when he saw that memorial. I almost felt bad about having taken him there, although I know he wanted to see it. I loved him very much and never wanted to cause him any pain. Dad was one of the most positive people I have ever known. He saw something good in almost everyone he met and did not judge others. He instilled in us the value of hard work and entrepreneurship (both my brother & I are in business for ourselves) while reminding us to make sure we had a lot of fun along the way. We are so fortunate (and proud) to have him as our dad. Thank you again for letting us know of your experience with him. I attached a few pictures of some of our last times together (the first is from Christmas 03, and the other two are from Thanksgiving 01). God bless you and your family Elizabeth Gerding President, The Focused Group |
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Semper Fi |