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Carla's Page
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In Memory of My Dad
This is an open letter to all of those of you who feel
like I do that I never got to say good bye or are searching for that answer that
has haunted us for 50 years. Some of us are looking for a person or a
place, some are looking for just someone to talk to about their thoughts.
Or need help in deciding what we are looking for? Most of us are looking
for the peace, for the deep wounds we have from W.W.II perhaps another war. I
personally lost my dad to the war on November 27, 1944 at the age of (barely)
five. He was only 28 himself, and I understand maybe one of the older
soldiers. He wanted to go and help our country stay free as so many
did. If only we could have some answers from, where did they go, or what
can I learn about them. I have memories and family who told me about my
dad. I'd still like to know what he was like through the eyes of people
who were with him in the last months or moments of his short life. I feel
so much pride in my dad and what he gave and we gave for our country, but still
the little kid never forgets the love of a daddy they didn't get to grow up
with.
My mother and I had a home and she went to work to support
us, as many of you know there wasn't much pension. So many women either worked
or re married, or even had to give up their children. Some of those
stories are varied, my mother did go to work and then remarried. In that
time people expected you to go on without really looking at your feelings.
I know that a lot of the veterans came back to broken homes and bad memories of
the war. Some of course were real lucky and had their families waiting and
went on even with the bad memories. The ones who came home we all are so
thankful for and some are now opening up to share with us, I know how hard this
must be, because they lost their buddies, that at one moment they were fighting
with and then he was gone. My dad was one who was buried in Holland instead of
being brought home. There is a lot of pain attached to this because he didn't
come home for me or our family to be able to say goodbye too. Or to have a
answer to where he was to a little kid. I always believed my daddy would
come home and knew someone was keeping him from me. Even though I was told
and somewhere I might have understood there was a burial place but I couldn't
see it. So when I was 23 years old I finally went to Margraten, Holland
where that finally resting place is. I saw a beautiful place with
thousands of white crosses. I wanted to stay close to that place and feel
my daddy but knew I couldn't. It did help me, but not to the place that
I've finally started to reach now. One of the veteran's I've spoken to
said "he's with his buddies". That for some reason has made a
difference to me and given me a different way to look at it. I as a
Christian so I understand that is not where my dad is, but as a child you don't
understand and when you can't see that place its not real. I still can't just go
by and place the flowers or talk to him but I do like the fact he is with his
buddies. Talking to these veteran's is such a gift it is hard to put into
words. I found an organization that has helped me find a lot of peace and
inspiration to go on with my life finally. I'm letting myself open up and
responding to help and things are coming to my attention that probably were
always there. Just didn't see them, wouldn't allow my self to see because
of the pain. So I've probably compounded my pain over the years, now
finding people like these who have helped with this page on this web site to
help me heal. Also learn to feel self worth that a daughter grows up
without when loosing her daddy so young.
I'm thankful for the help I've received and that's the
reason for this page is to offer you support in you search. Or a place to tell
you tell something you need to share. If we don't know the answers we can search
together I'm learning by listening and asking. That's been a tough thing
for me to learn to ask. Some of the hardest things to learn are there are
really people out here who care. These are some of the wounds, from a war
that I didn't fight, but I lost one of the very most important people to me in
my life in.. I owe this opportunity and this page to Howard Swonger who served
with the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division. He's been a
very supporting and generous friend with his time and efforts to helping me and
anyone who comes to this site. He and his son have done such a great job
of putting this site as well as the "Hell On Wheels" site dedicated to
the 2nd Armored together. That's how I found Howard searching on that
site. I'm here to somehow to offer my hand to someone who has felt like I have.
This is the reason for this letter and page. "GOD BLESS AMERICA" and
the memory of those would served. Carla Sue. Proud daughter of Pvt. Morris
Harold "Buster" Kingery, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd
Armored Division, " Hell on Wheels Co. G, 3rd Battalion.
Carla' tells the steps to take to get information
from the military:
FIRST STEPS I TOOK: The first record you
should get is the record from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
This record will have the veteran's service number in it and also may have a
social security number. It will also show designated next of kin and will
contain marriage records and birth certificates. To get these records call
(800) 827-1000. This will ring at your regional office. They will be
able to tell you where your veteran's record is and where to write. Then
write to that address requesting a complete copy of everything in their
file. ( Remember you are only eligible for these records if you are next
of kin and the veteran was killed or missing in action.) If you already have the
selective service number, you will want to write to the National Personnel
Records Center for the veteran's "jacket" right away also but do this
only after you have the selective service number. Ask for a copy of
everything they have in your veteran's personnel records,
"jackets." Also ask for the "MED" ( medical
) records. (You must have a selective service number and ask for
"MED" ( medical )records specifically as they are
only filed under the selective service number. These are not file by
name). Additionally, you can apply for any medals which you lost or never
received. Write to: National Personnel Records Center, Military
Personnel Records, 9700 Page Boulevard St. Louis MO 63132
Need a little more help email Carla at carla_sue@juno.com
Links to help:
Awon
: A place to begin the search for further information concerning a
loved one that may have given their life in World War II, for the freedom that
we enjoy today,That was reported taken prisoner, missing in action or killed in
action in WW II. You may receive the help here that you have been looking for.
Impression
of Memorial Day in Holland: War Cemetery at Margraten , Holland,
photo's shown on this site.
Military
Honors: A Boyd Fallwell web site, honoring servicemen and women.
Join the honor roll.
Purple
Heart Recipients : A good site, has a lot of good information.
American
Battle Monuments Commission: This site has
information, ( location ) on all military cemeteries, that are situated in other
countries.
National
Personnel Record Center: (MPRC) (MPR)
Where to get military records.
Honor
Guard: Veterans of America
"Lest
we forget": A tribute to my dad and all veterans, by Maria
Sutherland.
Sassy
Lassy: 349th Sqdn, 100th Bomb Group, 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force
Station 139, Thorpe-Abbotts, England. Dedicated to
the men who lived, fought or died as part of the crew of the Sassy Lassy (s/n
43-37572) from May 16, 1944 to August 5, 1944. We Thank You!
Family
Honorary: Dedicated
to Pvt. James Dotson Duke, He was a member of the First Army, 1st Division, 16th
Infantry Regiment, Co. "G", KIA 20 November 1944, Aachen, Germany.
Carla's Email address is: carla_sue@juno.com
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