World War II
Veterans of Army 66ID Reunite Last Time
by
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Carmen Fleischmann, FLNG PAO August 8, 2018
Over the last 75 years, the men of the 66th Infantry Division
have reunited to reminisce about their time together fighting in
World War II, to share stories of how their lives have changed since
then and to recall fond memories of those brothers they lost along
the way. They have taken many journeys together over the years but
none as impactful as their return today to Camp Blanding Joint
Training Center, the birthplace of their division, 75 years after it
was created for their final reunion.
Soldiers of the 66th Infantry Division pose for a group photo during
the 66th Infantry Division's final reunion and site dedication, held
at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center's museum on June 15, 2018.
The 66th ID was activated in 1943 at Camp Blanding, Fla., where they
conducted their initial training. Afterwards, they traveled to
England where they encountered resistance from the German forces
before finally settling in Koblenz, Germany in 1945. While in
Germany, the conducted occupation duty and provided security at
German POW camps. (U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Vann, Florida
National Guard Public Affairs Office)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The veterans of the 66th “Black Panther” Division and their families
were welcomed to the Camp Blanding Museum by post commander, Col.
Matt Johnson who shared how he was personally impacted by their
stories.
Upon taking command of CBJTC in 2015, Johnson would
enjoy a morning run past the troop billeting areas on Quincy Avenue
which just happened to be located behind what used to be the
headquarters for the 66th Infantry Division.
“I remember
vividly on those first mornings as I ran through the area, how I
observed the concrete foundations and the red brick chimneys that
still remain there today,” said Johnson. “It stirred within me the
desire to learn more about the history of this post and the Soldiers
and civilians who once trained and served here.”
Johnson ran
his usual route again this morning to prepare for his meeting with
the living legends that trained at his post all those years ago.
“I could still imagine the voices and the sounds of men rising
early, preparing for another day of training at Camp Blanding. I
thought of what you experienced then and what we experience today,”
he said.
Johnson was also touched by the story of one of the
veterans in attendance, Cyril Reshetiloff who served in Headquarters
Company of 2nd Battalion, 262nd Infantry Regiment. Reshetiloff was
onboard the S.S. Leopoldville, a Belgian passenger ship that was
torpedoed and sunk by a German U-Boat as it was crossing the English
Channel to deliver members of the 66th to fight at the Battle of the
Bulge. While Reshetiloff was able to climb his way out of the
wreckage and swim to safety, the 66th Infantry Division lost 14
officers, including two battalion commanders, and 784 enlisted men
in that attack.
Instead of continuing to the original battle,
the Black Panther Division was assigned to fight 60,000 Germans in
the pockets along the French Atlantic coast. They later relocated to
Klobenz, Germany following the German surrender in May of 1945 where
they conducted occupation duty and provided security at German POW
camps. The men who left to continue the fight after Leopoldville
consider the sacrifice made by their fallen brothers to have saved
their lives.
Jerry Roetigers, President of the Panther
Veterans Organization and one of the young men who trained at CBJTC
and went on to fight with the 66th Infantry Division, said the PVO
has boasted as many as 2,500 members since it was created in the
1960s. He recalls emotional moments when the PVO went to Europe and
laid a wreath at the location where the Leopoldville was sunk, and
later when they laid one at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
At every location they have traveled to or event they have attended,
the members of the 66th Infantry Division have been honored for
their sacrifice and praised for their legacy. Their final reunion at
CBJTC was no different, with dozens of Soldiers, Airmen and
civilians out in the hot summer sun to pay their respects to the
brave men of the Black Panther Division. A slew of WWII-era vehicles
led the convoy of buses around post, bringing back memories of the
unit’s time there but also providing the startling revelation of how
much time has gone by.
Choking back tears, Roetigers said
“None of this would have ever happened if our buddies on the
Leopoldville didn’t give their lives. They gave their lives for us.
It kept us out of the Battle of the Bulge, and who knows … we all
might have been buried in Belgium.”
Overcome with emotion,
Jerry had his grandson, also named Jerry and a veteran who served in
Iraq, read an article written by his friend and previous PVO
President Frank Bartino, and the current CEO of the Panther
organization, Lenore Angelo, titled “Roses in December.” The
heartwarming words remembers comrades that fell during the war and
have passed away since then.
Since Angelo began helping with
the organization in 2003, each veteran and their family members have
become like family to her. “My experience with these guys has just
be indescribable. They have been the love of my life, surrogate
parents, and we’ve just become a great family,” she said.
Hoping to honor their loved ones that bravely served, the second,
third and fourth generations who have followed the members of 66th
Infantry Division, commissioned a plaque to rededicate the monument
on the 75th anniversary of the unit’s creation.
“We will
never forget their willingness to defend this country, their bravery
in battle, nor those men who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their
legacy will always be part of us and for that we are eternally
grateful,” read Jerry.
Just before laying a wreath on the
monument, each of the 12 Black Panther Division veterans in
attendance received a 66th Infantry plaque and a CBJTC challenge
coin.
As the WWII veterans noticed on their tour of Camp
Blanding, while the post has changed tremendously over the years,
the spirit of sacrifice and service remains the focus of the post
today. During the ceremony, currently serving Florida National Guard
Soldiers and Airmen stood proudly as they donned the same style
“Black Panther” Division patches as the heroes who have gone before
them wore when the 66th Infantry Division was activated on April 15,
1943.
“We are very proud of the 66th Infantry Division’s
record in World War II and we are extremely pleased that you have
come home in 2018,” said President of the CBJTC Museum Association,
Dr. George Cressman.
U.S. Army Gifts |
U.S. Army |
U.S. Department
of Defense
|
|