The 'It Makes Us Feel Good' Page
This is a page where we can report some good things that have happened because of this website. Over the past several years there have been several instances of where long lost buddies have been reunited, important information has been located, etc. Up to this point, we have not been recording these success stories. As of today, 6/6/2004, we are.
More will follow as we reunite people with people and people with history. IT DOES HAPPEN !
Dear Mrs Kristen Martens Pauk,
First, excuse my English, it isn't perfect.
My name is Romaine MORBé, I live with my husband
Norbert and our two children (Steve 29,
Christine 23) in Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.
I've read your message in "I'm looking for" on the website of the 90 th
Division association.
I take the liberty to write to you, because I want
to to let you know that we live in the area
where you father has been wounded on January 9. 1945.
We live near Nothum, and I'm sure that Nothum is
the place, where your father has been
wounded during the battle of the bulge.
The way, the 90 th Division went on in
Luxembourg after crossing the Moselle River
is the following:
They entered Luxembourg in Frisange (near the
French border) , they advanced to Arsdorf,
Insenborn, crossed the Sure River , Liefrange, Mecher.
The 357 th Infantry went from Mecher to Bavigne to
liberate Berlé. The battle for Berlé began
in the morning of January 9, at about 10.00 A.M. and at 3.00 P.M.
of the same day Berlé was liberated.
The 359 th Infantry advanced from Mecher to Nothum
and went on to Pommerloch (at that time
called "Trentelhof").
You also wrote that your father was in the 359
th Infantry, Company L. What a
coincidence, since over a year we know an American soldier (Mike Colman) from
Spandahlem Air Base (Germany). Mike
became a very good friend of us all and we enjoy his friendship very much.
His great grand-uncle has been wounded on January
9 in Nothum and died of his wounds on
January 10. (20 years old)
His name was Ted B.Long and Ted was also in
company L
as your father. Perhaps your father will
remember Ted B.Long.
On June 14, 1994 a monument has been inaugurated in Berlé to honour all these brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice to bring us back peace and liberty. On that day we became acquainted with many veterans and we still keep in touch until today.
On November 16, 2004 many Toughombres and their families will come back to Berlé. A plaque will be inaugurated at the old dairy, and to every veteran of the 90 th Division we will hand over a nice medal.
You can be sure, that the Luxembourg people never will forget their liberators. We owe so much to them all.
I will close now, I'm looking forward to hear from you and perhaps we will meet in November in Berlé.
Kind regards
Romaine Morbé & family
Dennis,
webmaster's note: The following is a string of back and forth emails, as I received them. You must start at the bottom and read up for the time to progress properly. (thank you Brian)
Jim, In 4-14 business days from June 2nd (Wed) you will receive a package from Amazon.com through Pulpjungle. In it will be a copy of "War From The Ground Up, The 90th Division in World War II" by John Colby. This is the definitive text on the 90th Division. Through it you will walk every step of the way that your great uncle walked from D+2 when he landed on Utah Beach up to his death on October 14th. You'll learn about places like Gourbesville, Perriers, Beau Coudray, Seves River, Monte Castre (Hill 122), the Falaise Gap, Lorraine, the Mozelle Crossing, and more. Your great uncle knew all these places. Consider it my gift to you as you begin your journey to know more about the sacrifices of their generation. This is very addictive research. It is history jumping off the pages and reaching down your throat. For those of us with family members who experienced it, it is hard to imagine what it must have been like. This will give you a good start.-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 3:48 PM
To: Brian Kueker
Subject: RE: World War II Silver Star Citation
Thank you so much! I spoke to my father he was in the 357th Infantry Regiment we are not sure what company...we are looking for more info.... He died October 14th 1944 in, his remains were not returned for another 5 years....
Brian Kueker wrote:The copy of the General Order is in the mail. It will go out Tuesday because of the holiday so you should get it in Kentucky maybe Thursday...-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 1:42 PM
To: Brian Kueker
Subject: RE: World War II Silver Star Citation
I used MSN Search when I found the Site With Hermans Name....
Brian Kueker wrote:What search engine do you use?-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 11:12 AM
To: Brian Kueker
Subject: RE: World War II Silver Star Citation
Brian, Watching the Wold War II Memorial yesterday I was reflecting on how little the Family knows about Uncle Herman and his life giving sacrifice for us and our country. I knew that he won 2 purple hearts and a Silver Star but thats about it. My Grandparents never kept any other records and they passed before we could learn more. I went to the Internet and did a Search under his name and Silver star and it brought me to the web page your referring to.Words cannot describe the impact that reading his Citation had on me both in excitement about something that my family has lost and guilt for letting this slip away.I would be grateful if you could send a copy of Herman Ludwigs Citation. I will gladly compensate you for your efforts.Jim LudwigBest Regards,Jim Ludwig
Brian Kueker wrote:Jim, I just checked the list of guys on the GO with my relatives award and your great uncle is on it. Did you contact me because you saw the list I submitted to the 90th web page or is this just a coincidence?-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 8:40 AM
To: Brian Kueker
Subject: RE: World War II Silver Star Citation
Thank you for Responding. We do not have the Citation. How do we go about getting it?Regards,Jim Ludwig
Brian Kueker wrote:Do you have the citation (explains why he won it) for the Silver Star?-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig Sent: Saturday, May 29, 2004 5:09 PM
To: Subject: World War II Silver Star Citation
Brian,Herman Ludwig was my Great Uncle. My family has his Purple Hearts and Silver Star but no other records about his awards. Anything you may have to share would be truly appreciated.Regards,Jim Ludwig