This is your WEBSITE. Its purpose is to distribute your thoughts, ideas
and memories to the 102nd Infantry Division Association’s members and friends
through words, pictures and quotations that you find appropriate. Members, associate
members, and relatives are encouraged to participate and join in this activity with
enthusiasm, humor and honesty. Here, all honor the contributions of our "MEN"
who won the victory in World War Two.
DEACTIVATION
Veterans, relatives and friends of the Ozarks 102ID; during our last reunion
in St. Louis the membership voted to end our activity as the “102nd Infantry
Division Association” during our next reunion in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 24
– 30, 2008. All Ozark memorabilia was sent to the U.S. War College at
Carlisle Barracks, PA. Moneys in our accounts will go to the 102nd Division
Scholarship Fund. Informal meetings in any and all regional areas are
possible and recommended.
REACTIVATION
Attention: The 102nd Division has been reactivated as of October 1, 2007. It
will be an integral part of the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, MO in
“Ozark” country serving as part of the 80th Training Command. Along with the
102nd will be the 94th Division at Fort Lee, VA, and the 100th Division at
Fort Knox, KY, three divisions comprising the 80th Training Command. Major
General David L. Evans is in command of the 80thTC, and Colonel Randy Evans
will command the 102nd Division.
Like the Phoenix, the “Ozark” shoulder patch is seen rising up again!
The 102nd Inf. Div. Association of WWII is
looking for all former members of the Division,
a son, or daughter, wife, brother or sister,
any relative interested in contacting his Buddies.
We have annual reunions, and publish
quarterly the "Ozark Notes".
You can contact us through one of the
appropriate division
unit coordinators.
Here you will find
the address for the coordinator of the unit in which you are interested.
Friends: Take the time to
listen and look, to a haunting song and remembrance………That too quickly people
forget. Maybe something like this will remind some of the idiots of
today what transpired during WWll, enabling them to take the negative
stand they take today, standing on the bodies of those who died to give
them that privilege.
This might take a few moments to load, but it is worth the wait.
Bierstock, 58, and John Melnick, 54, of
Pompano Beach - a member of Bierstock's band, have written a song: the
mournful "Before You Go" does more than salute those who fought in
WWII. It encourages people to go out of their way to thank the aging
warriors before they die.
"If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have
been shot," says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. "Every ethnic minority
would be dead. And the soldiers are now dying at the rate of about
2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank them."
The song is striking a chord. Within four days of Bierstock placing it
on the Web, the song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around
nine countries, producing tears and heartfelt thanks from veterans,
their sons and daughters and grandchildren.
Bierstock and Melnick thought about shipping it off to a professional
singer, but because time was running out for so many veterans, they
decided it was best to release it quickly, for free, on the Web.
They've sent the song to Sen. John McCain and others in Washington.
Already they have been invited to perform it in Houston for a Veterans
Day tribute - this after just a few days on the Web. They hope every
veteran in America gets a chance to hear it.
Now, here is the link ...
