Timberwolf ‘Pups’ create their place in the 104th legacy
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| 12/05/2011 By Sgt. 1st Class Lisa M. Litchfield 104th Training Division (LT) Public Affairs |
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — It was this time last year when the World War II veteran “Nightfighters” of the 104th Infantry Division made the difficult but necessary decision to declare 2010 the last official reunion of the National Timberwolf Association.
Citing failing health and travel difficulties, the veterans were devastated to lose a 65-year tradition, but realized they could simply no longer bear the burden of the logistics, organization, planning and execution.
Thankfully, the next generation was ready and waiting to answer the call.
The National Timberwolf “Pup” Association, comprised of “grateful sons, daughters, families and dear friends of the World War II Veterans of the 104th Infantry Division, U.S. Army,” were more than honored to carry on where their fathers and grandfathers were forced to leave off.
Citing a new vitality and a deep bond with the National Timberwolf Association, the new Timberwolf Pup Association is committed to ensuring that future generations will have the means to celebrate and keep history alive, as well as the means to honor the fallen. Their first official act was to continue the tradition of an annual Timberwolf reunion.
“We the legacy, the next generation... felt that the values, the memories, all the reason that they (Nightfighters) were meeting were important enough that it (the reunion) needed to be continued,” explained newly elected President Andy Lane. |
Lana and Terry Johnson, pups of veteran Chester Johnson and his wife Mary, enjoy a slow dance during the Dining Out on Sunday evening. The Dining Out is part of the first annual National Timberwolf Pup Association reunion held to honor the Soldiers of the 104th Infantry Division, World War II. The reunion was held Aug. 29 – Sept. 4 2011 at the Hilton Ballpark Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Lisa M. Litchfield, 104th Training Division (LT) Public Affairs.
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Legacy was an echoing theme as Brig. Gen. Kurt Hardin, commanding general of the 104th Training Division, spoke to the Timberwolf veterans on Saturday morning.
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Brig. Gen. Kurt Hardin, commanding general of the 104th Training Division (LT), shares his thoughts on the legacy of the veterans at the “Pup” reunion. Hardin was a key speaker at the first annual National Timberwolf Pup Association reunion held to honor the Soldiers
of the 104th Infantry Division, World War II. The reunion was held Aug. 29 – Sept. 4 2011 at the Hilton Ballpark Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Lisa M. Litchfeld, 104th Training Division (LT) Public Affairs. |
“We are your legacy and I want to tell you where your legacy is today,” said Hardin. “The 2,500 Soldiers of the 104th Division are a national command. Today we support ROTC, Reserve Officer Training Corps so we are training the future leaders of the Army and that’s your legacy. You truly were the foundation for that legacy,” he concluded.
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Sarah Moses, one of the youngest Holocaust survivors, shares her story of survival with the Timberwolves, Soldier she claims as “heroes and angels” for their part in her rescue. Sarah was a keynote speaker at the first annual National Timberwolf Pup Association reunion held to honor the Soldiers of the 104th Infantry Division, World War II. The reunion was held Aug. 29 – Sept. 4 2011 at the Hilton Ballpark Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Lisa M. Litchfield, 104th Training Division (LT) Public Affairs. |
Hardin also had words of encouragement for the Timberwolf pups.
“You have all done a great job here,” said Hardin. “I am really proud of what you have done, all the family members of the Timberwolf pups, and also all of the veterans we are honoring. I think that this is just a great, great opportunity.”
Also speaking Saturday morning was Sarah Moses, one of the youngest concentration camp survivors from the war. Her story captivated the attendees, bringing many to tears as they were able to see in person what their legacy and the legacy of their loved ones had truly meant to others.
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Frank Strebel, honored veteran of the 104th Division Timberwolves, snuffs out a candle representing fallen comrades during the memorial service on Sunday morning. The first annual National Timberwolf Pup Association was held to honor the Soldiers of the 104th Infantry Division, World War II. The reunion was held Aug. 29 – Sept. 4 2011 at the Hilton Ballpark Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Lisa M. Litchfield, 104th Training Division (LT) Public Affairs.
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“The veterans who are here today, all of you, you are my heroes,” Moses proclaimed. “You are my angels from where I come from.”
Following Saturday’s association meeting, the reunion attendees took the city by storm as both Governor Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon and Mayor Francis G. Slay declared September 3, 2011 to be Timberwolf Day not only in the city of St. Louis, but across the state of Missouri as well.
City tours, shopping, historical walks and baseball games combined with guest speakers, a memorial service, formal banquets and visiting with friends in whirlwind weekend of memories and continued legacy building.
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Esther Eenhuizen, honorary Timberwolf pup and resident of the Netherlands, seen here with Timberwolf Wes Gaab, attends the reunions to honor the men who fought to free her country. She claims that without them, she might be speaking German now instead. Esther is helping to organize a memorial trip to France and the Netherlands for the veterans this fall. The first annual National Timberwolf Pup Association reunion was held to honor the Soldiers of the 104th Infantry Division, World War II on Aug. 29 – Sept. 4 2011 at the Hilton Ballpark Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Lisa M. Litchfield, 104th Training Division (LT) Public Affairs.
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“We tell the stories,” explained veteran Mel Morasch, “but then the kids come here and see the relationships that you can form. It’s a bonding. This is our gang and you are especially close to that group. There were 15,000 of us but this is our group, these are our memories.”
With a motto of “Nothing in hell can stop the Timberwolves,” and family members who are unwilling to let the memories of their parents and grandparents die, the National Timberwolf Pup Association has ensured that the stories will continue to be told, The memories will continue to be shared and the legacy will continue to grow. Comments & Ratings
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