Welcome
to Soldiers and Sailors .US
A personal web site that honors our
Greatest
Generation
16 million men and woman wore the uniform of the United States of America during WWII. These are the stories of 12 of those men, members of my family, who, combined with our allies, restored freedom across the globe. 430,000 Americans gave their lives
to accomplish this hard fought victory, one being my great uncle Amin. Uncle Johnnie, upper left,
passed away on November 16th, 2009. So
please have a look around and enjoy the pictures and histories on the inside by clicking on a portrait, unit patch, or
text link located all about this front page. There is a lot to see so take your time! By the way, if by chance you may have known one of these men, please contact me at
stealth7usa@yahoo.com.
I am trying to add new information monthly so check back often. Each page also has a
special song or tune that I've personally picked to honor each man's service to
our great county. Thank you so much for visiting.... Eric "Stitch" Montgomery
Johnnie Gabersek U Tuench Povirk
N Dan Povirk
I Don Lynch
T Steve Simco
E Izzy Isbir
D
Frankie Gabersek S Reid Smith T Tony Mautino
A Chuck Baldis
T Bill Baker
E Amin Isbir
S
Upcoming FREE Event ===>
D-Day Conneaut Ohio- August 20th/21st
2010
If the format
of their web site looks familiar, yes I run that too!
A Special Announcement
It
is with deep regret that I must inform you that my dear great uncle passed away
on November 16th 2009. My great
uncle was just that - great - and the past 15 years that I knew him, I came to
appreciate John's fondness for life and kindness towards others. He
was a true gentleman, an American Hero and my best friend. Johnnie was Our
Greatest Generation embodied. Although loosing John will leave a lasting
scar on my life, his good will and devotion to the citizens of the greatest country
on earth will live on.
A few years ago Johnnie and I discussed what to do with his remaining monies after all his debts were paid. After observing my great uncle so many times at the WWII Memorial encouraging kids to stay in school and get a good education, and asked him, "Johnnie; what would you think if I were to take what you have left over and give it to someone who lost their mom or dad in Iraq or Afghanistan? He looked at me and said, "That's not a bad idea Eric."
Although his savings are meager, as a former combat medic, he understood the importance of providing any measure of aid and comfort. I understood the importance of carrying on his message and legacy of selfless sacrifice. I cannot think of any better means to honor John than to provide some degree of hope and help to those who's families have given so much.
With this in mind, the Sergeant Johnnie's Memorial Scholarship Fund is being formed to provide an annual scholarship to aid a child of a U.S. Service Member who lost their life or capacity to provide for their family while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. The scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis to high school student preparing for college. The scholarship will be funded by interest accumulated on what ever savings remains and supplemented by public donations. The scholarship award can only be used towards the purchase of required books for the students coursework. The award amount at this time is obviously unknown but it is with all intent to increase the amount of the gift and quantity thereof over time. The gift will be awarded to the student who best demonstrates in a minimum 500 word essay entitled, "America, the Beacon of Freedom" emphasizing the selfless sacrifices made by United States Servicemen and Women throughout history. Additional details will follow as I am currently wrapping up the process of settling all of John's outstanding debt's. (April 2010)
I
sincerely hope you will assist me to help carry on Johnnie's legacy of kindness
and compassion. He understood what sacrifices our fighting men and
women endure today from his own experiences.
Since the scholarship paperwork is not yet established, all I ask for now is
that you send me an email expressing your interest of becoming a contributor. If you change your mind or circumstances
prevent you from helping, I will completely understand. Please
kindly write to me, Eric Montgomery, at
The Sergeant Johnnie Memorial Scholarship Fund. Thank you so much for
your support of John's way of being a medic forever more...
Above: A visual tribute to my great uncle John.
Friends and family were received at the Richard F. Dodson Memorial Home in
West Newton Pa.
Richard and Anna Dodson were outstanding in their service and professionalism.
Thank you Anna and thank you Richard for I will always remember your
kindness.
A
virtual remembrance book for John is on-line for those who would like to
leave a message of condolence.
www.dodsonfuneralhome.com
Please read Johnnie's amazing story by clicking on the picture above.
Click on the WWII Memorial Photo to enjoy Johnnie at a place he
loved so much.
NEW PHOTOS FROM THE MEMORIAL - UPDATED 1/16-2010
Great Uncle Amin's replacement grave marker was laid in place on
Ascension Day, May 21st 2009.
Cousins Jim Ameen and Eric Montgomery were in France for this historic
moment.
This incredible story, full of heartache, determination, perseverance and
luck is nearly beyond belief.
Featured on the CBS Evening News, June 4th 2009,
the efforts made to correct 65 years of history is told within in amazing
detail.
Please click on the photo above for the story and link to videos I made during
our trip in Normandy.
Click the photo above to read about our five year mission
to correct Amin's records and replace his head stone.
"Few who remember."
Those are few who remember the boys dressed in
khaki and blue,
clutching arms under smoke filled skies...
As waves crashed upon distant shores,
mothers at home cried for boys no more...
Untested men emerged in silent fury,
with God Almighty being the Judge and Jury...
only God knew what price they would pay...
A whispering bullet makes it's way along the line,
calling out for an American soldier who stood the test of
distant time...
Honoring Family Heroes of WWII - Lt. Meena - Part
2
Please remember to come back here to discover more about the incredible men
below. Thank you!
A poem written in honor of my great uncles.
our nation's youth leaving their homes to uphold honor so true...
They carry the burden of a nation that stood idle behind
closed eyes,
Heroes will be born on days like today,
Latest Additions - May 3rd, 2009
Honoring Family Heroes of WWII - Amin
Isbir - Part 1
The Profile of Lt. James E.
Meena
Lt. Meena is the great uncle of my cousin Jim Ameen.
Click his picture to open his page.
Special Missing/Killed in Action Section - Help Identify These
Men
Tech
Sergeant Cliffe Wolfe - 28th Infantry 109th Regiment
Updated 3/21/09 with a photo of Sergeant Wolfe!
PFC Hans Bergmayr - 49th
Infantry Battalion - 8th Armored Division
Upcoming Reenactments
D-Day Conneaut Ohio- August 20th/21st
2010
Scuttlebutt -
Click here for upcoming
the latest news,
event calendar and forthcoming veteran profiles.
6th Naval Beach Battalion 2008 Reunion - October 2008
Battle of the
Bulge 2009 - January 2009
Reading PA Airshow - June 5th, 6th, 7th 2009
Battle of the Bulge 2010 - January 2010
Reading Airshow - June 2010
Reading Airshow - June 4th 5th and 6th 2010
D-Day Conneaut - August 20th
and 21st 2010
News Flash!
-
Great uncle Amin's Casualty Report has been officially corrected.
Read the story behind the story by clicking
here.
D-Day 2008 Conneaut Ohio - August 2008
D-Day 2009 Conneaut
Ohio - August 2009
Uncle John and I visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial - November
16th 2008
WWII Memorial Dedication -
November 8th, 2008 Hoboken New Jersey
Photo Essay - Memorial Day
Weekend 2008 - Washington D.C
Photo Essay - Reading Air
Show and WWII Weekend June 6th-8th 2008
Photo
Essay - The commissioning ceremony
of the USS Mesa Verde!
Photo Essay - 6th Naval Beach Battalion Reunion in 2007...
D-Day 2007 Conneaut Ohio Photo Essay and my special story "When we were young."
