Somewhere in Belgium...December, 1944

[82Rigger]

The German offensive of Dec 16th was so overwhelming that it put entire American front line units into full retreat.

One tank destroyer that was headed for the rear spotted a lone soldier trying to chip a foxhole out of the frozen earth. Armed with bazooka and rifle, unshaven and filthy, he went about his business with a stoic nonchalance. They pulled up to him and stopped. He didn't seem to care about the line of refugees streaming past him.

"Hey, Buddy!", the TD driver called out, "Are you crazy? The Krauts have broken out! We're being over-run!"

The soldier stopped digging and leaned on his entrenching tool.

"You lookin' for a safe place?", he asked.

"Hell, yes!", snorted the TD driver.

"Well, Mac," drawled the soldier. "just pull your vehicle in behind my foxhole. I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going."

***

I dedicate this post to all combat veterans of Christmases past.

[The Cooler King]

That Soldier was PFC Martin of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment.

[Jerry D]

Hey! that Regiment Logo has the GA state Seal on it The Great Seal of the state of Georgia features a symbolic image of the Constitution as an arch that is supported by three pillars. The pillars represent the three branches of government; the legislature, the judicial, and the executive. Banners worded Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation, (Georgia's official motto) hang from the pillars. The principles of the Constitution are symbolically protected by a man standing ready with a drawn sword. Circling the images are the words "State of Georgia 1776". For a unit out of Camp Claiborne, Louisiana its interesting they have the Georgia Seal on it and it is a simpler form of the official seal.

To, PFC Martin to him for providing a Safe place for us to stand, behind soldiers like him willing to be the Point at the tip of the spear!

[Keith_Hixson]

If my memory serves me correctly, that was as far as the Germans made it.

Keith

[Keith_Hixson]

Glenn Lewis was in the 82nd Airborne. A man from Yakima. He was with a glider outfit. Landed early on D-day in a Glider I believe.

Keith

[Packo]

Keith,

Gliders don't land. They just make nice crash landings.....if lucky.

You gotta love PFC Martin!

Airborne!

Pack

[Robert Ryan]

Battle of the Bulge. The Germans last great push.

[82Rigger]

Packy,

Yeah, you're right. The BEST glider landing was pretty much a controlled crash.

I'm sure you know what "Rommel's asparagus" was. :re:




Waco (CG-4) glider:

[The Cooler King]

Originally posted by Jerry D Hey! that Regiment Logo has the GA state Seal on it The Great Seal of the state of Georgia features a symbolic image of the Constitution as an arch that is supported by three pillars. The pillars represent the three branches of government; the legislature, the judicial, and the executive. Banners worded Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation, (Georgia's official motto) hang from the pillars. The principles of the Constitution are symbolically protected by a man standing ready with a drawn sword. Circling the images are the words "State of Georgia 1776". For a unit out of Camp Claiborne, Louisiana its interesting they have the Georgia Seal on it and it is a simpler form of the official seal.

"The shield is white with a blue fess, the Infantry colors. The blue disc on the chief is from the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 82d Division, under whom the unit was originally organized, and is charged with the white temple from the seal of the State of Georgia, where the unit was initially organized. The blue Lorraine cross indicates the heavy service of the regiment in World War I in the province of that name."

Source: http://www.325glider.org/id27.html

[The Cooler King]

Join the Glider Troops! No Jump Pay. No Flight Pay. But Never A Dull Moment.