| VE (Victory Europe) Day in Florida: May 5 & 6, 2007 |
The Tenth Annual VE Day Celebration was held at the Francis Events Field in St. Augustine, Florida.
This event was held in a large open area and well attended by many World War II veterans from all
services of the armed forces. As you will see in the photos below, we were fortunate to spend time
with these great Americans.
This event was held in a large open area and well attended by many World War II veterans from all
services of the armed forces. As you will see in the photos below, we were fortunate to spend time
with these great Americans.
Mario Patruno, F. Co., 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division, showed up Saturday and found Kim Homan
dressed as a World War II nurse. He explained how he had been hit during operation "Market Garden"
and spent time convalescing under the care of the Army Nurse Corps. Kim was dressed just like he
remembered his hospital nurses. He went on to say how he still owned the hospital robe issued to him
so long ago. Sunday morning, Mario returned with his wife and a bag carrying that same robe. Here he
is wearing his U. S. Army hospital robe. I don't know who was more thrilled, Mario or Kim? This was a
moment we will never forget.
dressed as a World War II nurse. He explained how he had been hit during operation "Market Garden"
and spent time convalescing under the care of the Army Nurse Corps. Kim was dressed just like he
remembered his hospital nurses. He went on to say how he still owned the hospital robe issued to him
so long ago. Sunday morning, Mario returned with his wife and a bag carrying that same robe. Here he
is wearing his U. S. Army hospital robe. I don't know who was more thrilled, Mario or Kim? This was a
moment we will never forget.
Here is a veteran who jumped into the Netherlands during "Market Garden" with the 82nd Airborne
Division. He recognized our airborne uniforms and equipment right away. The 82nd Airborne Division
was the first airborne division to fight in World War II jumping into Sicily and Italy prior to France and
the Netherlands. They built a fierce reputation as a fighting unit and earned the praise of General Patton
during occupation duty in Berlin. After witnessing the 82nd's honor guard, Patton remarked, "In all my
years in the Army and all the honor guards I have ever seen, the 82nd's honor guard is undoubtedly the
best." Hence the 82nd or "All-Americans" became known as "America's Guard of Honor".
Division. He recognized our airborne uniforms and equipment right away. The 82nd Airborne Division
was the first airborne division to fight in World War II jumping into Sicily and Italy prior to France and
the Netherlands. They built a fierce reputation as a fighting unit and earned the praise of General Patton
during occupation duty in Berlin. After witnessing the 82nd's honor guard, Patton remarked, "In all my
years in the Army and all the honor guards I have ever seen, the 82nd's honor guard is undoubtedly the
best." Hence the 82nd or "All-Americans" became known as "America's Guard of Honor".
The veteran on the left was a tail gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress in the Fifteenth Air Force. The Fifteenth
operated in southern Italy and was responsible for targets in southern Europe. Vital targets included
gasoline production facilities, aircraft factories, and enemy aircraft on the ground and in the air. As a tail
turret gunner, this gentleman witnessed many attacks from enemy fighters, but it was his opinion that the
flak (ground anti-aircraft fire) caused the most havoc to the bombers. German flak gunners would set
their rounds to explode at the altitude the bomber formations were flying. Once in range, they would
fire concentrated bursts into their flight path. Flying through flak was nerve racking for the airmen. On
different occasions, he witnessed two bombers caught in close formation succumb to flak damage from
one burst and fall out of formation toward earth. Flak was one of many hazards for airmen. At times,
the bombers would collide in the air as the result of pilot error. Overloaded bombers unable to take-off
properly would run off the tarmac only to crash and explode. If a bomber was damaged during a bomb
run and unable to keep in formation, it ran the risk of attack from heavy concentrations of enemy fighters.
Without the protection of the formation, a solo bomber was a sitting duck. All very sobering when you
consider each B-17 consisted of a ten man crew.
operated in southern Italy and was responsible for targets in southern Europe. Vital targets included
gasoline production facilities, aircraft factories, and enemy aircraft on the ground and in the air. As a tail
turret gunner, this gentleman witnessed many attacks from enemy fighters, but it was his opinion that the
flak (ground anti-aircraft fire) caused the most havoc to the bombers. German flak gunners would set
their rounds to explode at the altitude the bomber formations were flying. Once in range, they would
fire concentrated bursts into their flight path. Flying through flak was nerve racking for the airmen. On
different occasions, he witnessed two bombers caught in close formation succumb to flak damage from
one burst and fall out of formation toward earth. Flak was one of many hazards for airmen. At times,
the bombers would collide in the air as the result of pilot error. Overloaded bombers unable to take-off
properly would run off the tarmac only to crash and explode. If a bomber was damaged during a bomb
run and unable to keep in formation, it ran the risk of attack from heavy concentrations of enemy fighters.
Without the protection of the formation, a solo bomber was a sitting duck. All very sobering when you
consider each B-17 consisted of a ten man crew.
You may be familiar with the African American fighter pilots, "the Tuskeegee Airmen", but are you aware
of the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 92nd Infantry Division? The veteran to the left served with the 365 infantry
regiment, 92nd Infantry Division in Italy during World War II. The 92nd Infantry Division fought against
German and Italian troops in northern Italy. They performed admirably against a well dug-in enemy in
difficult, mountainous terrain and would continue their advance until the end of the war in Europe. The
amazing thing about this encounter was that our volunteer, Roberto Terruzzi, pictured at right lives in the
area where the 92nd fought and is writing a book about the battles fought in his area.
of the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 92nd Infantry Division? The veteran to the left served with the 365 infantry
regiment, 92nd Infantry Division in Italy during World War II. The 92nd Infantry Division fought against
German and Italian troops in northern Italy. They performed admirably against a well dug-in enemy in
difficult, mountainous terrain and would continue their advance until the end of the war in Europe. The
amazing thing about this encounter was that our volunteer, Roberto Terruzzi, pictured at right lives in the
area where the 92nd fought and is writing a book about the battles fought in his area.
This event featured a lot of different Allied displays. Below is the British airborne camp.
A British paratrooper explains the different equipment used by British forces in World War II. The woman
in the background was a WAVE during the war as is evidenced by her side cap.
in the background was a WAVE during the war as is evidenced by her side cap.
Tommies dressed in tropical uniforms typical to the campaigns of North Africa and Italy. In good fashion,
they have laid a Persian rug under their chairs. Carry on, chaps!
they have laid a Persian rug under their chairs. Carry on, chaps!
The Rangers with another nice exhibit. Of interest is the grappling hook resting on their sign. This was
the type used by Rangers to climb the cliffs during the assault of Pointe Du Hoc on June 6, 1944.
the type used by Rangers to climb the cliffs during the assault of Pointe Du Hoc on June 6, 1944.
"Grumpy" set up a working field kitchen as part of the airborne display.
A German prisoner from the Deutsche Luftwaffe (German Air Force) wears his issue tropical tan hat and
U.S. Army fatigues painted with P.W. for identification as a Prisoner of War. He is talking to a member
of the 3rd Infantry Division and behind both stands an 82nd Airborne paratrooper. All three units would
have fought in Italy.
U.S. Army fatigues painted with P.W. for identification as a Prisoner of War. He is talking to a member
of the 3rd Infantry Division and behind both stands an 82nd Airborne paratrooper. All three units would
have fought in Italy.
Robert shows the M-1 Garand fitted with a rifle grenade.
Rangers take time out to pose for pictures with the public.
The weapons firing demonstration was always a hit with the spectators. Here a Ranger outfitted in the
assault gear issued to troops for operation "Overlord" demonstrates the B.A.R. or Browning Automatic
Rifle.
assault gear issued to troops for operation "Overlord" demonstrates the B.A.R. or Browning Automatic
Rifle.
A British para demonstrates the Sten gun. The Sten was a submachine gun developed for British and
Canadian troops to replace the U.S. Thompson submachine gun. It was a simple design which could be
easily manufactured. Unfortunately, it was prone to jamming and mis-fire. British and Canadian soldiers
developed a sort of love-hate relationship with the weapon.
Canadian troops to replace the U.S. Thompson submachine gun. It was a simple design which could be
easily manufactured. Unfortunately, it was prone to jamming and mis-fire. British and Canadian soldiers
developed a sort of love-hate relationship with the weapon.
A British paratrooper and Scottish soldier demonstrate Lee-Enfield rifles.
Russian soldiers demonstrate Mosin-Nagant rifles.
The event featured an assortment of military vehicles.
The amphibious DUKW (pronounced DUCK) was used to transport troops and goods over water and land.
It was used in the Pacific and European theaters. This particular DUKW was used by the Marines in the
Pacific.
It was used in the Pacific and European theaters. This particular DUKW was used by the Marines in the
Pacific.
Viewing the vehicle display.
Our hospital nurse fixes her hair in the mirror of a World War II Indian motorcycle.
The M-8 Greyhound departs for a drive through downtown St. Augustine.
In the evening, event participants enjoyed a USO dance.
An Army Nurse poses with a member of the 2nd Ranger Battalion.
We would like to thank everyone who came out to this event and stopped by our exhibit. Our sincere
thanks to the many visitors who donated to this project. Your support is very appreciated.
Congratulations to Howard Thomas and Leo Bloomfield, winners of the prize drawing.
thanks to the many visitors who donated to this project. Your support is very appreciated.
Congratulations to Howard Thomas and Leo Bloomfield, winners of the prize drawing.
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