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Good Morning! Thank you for the kind introduction.
It is indeed an honor to be here with the 3AD Association Reunion
and thank you for honoring me to address you today. It feels
great to be back with you.
Tom Brokaw was correct by naming you the "World's Greatest
Generation." The fact that you, and all the rest of us,
are here today proves that.
Walter Stitt and Bill Heinz called me a couple of months ago
and asked if I believed in the Constitution's First Amendment
- "free speech." I answered "yes I do" and
then they said "good" - because today's speech is going
to be free. Walter, Bill - you know you get what you pay for!
I would ask your forgiveness as it has been a few years since
I have been to a 3AD Reunion. I last attended in Ashville in
1998 - but this is my ninth reunion.
Since then, Dad and my son Bill have both passed away. I want
to thank you for the many cards of condolence that the Brewster
family has received from you. Dad loved the 3AD Association,
and so do I. For the first 25 years of my life, Dad never talked
much about the war. He started coming to the reunions, and the
next 30 years I couldn't get a word in edgewise, as Dad continually
talked of you, your deeds, and how special each and every one
of you are. And you truly are special.
Today I am going to do, with your permission and help, the
"Streamer Ceremony." It will cover the 3AD's five campaigns
in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) for which you were
awarded five Campaign Streamers.
But before that, Ladies and Gentlemen, at this time I ask you
to please stand.
Color Guard - advance the Colors!
[Web Editor's note: At this point in the ceremony,
the presentation of the Memorial Wreath takes place, followed
by the presentation of the Widow's Wreath. This was followed
by the main portion of Col. Brewster's address, which was an
eloquent, detailed summary of 3AD's involvement in the five campaigns.
During that inspiring summary, Col. Brewster would pause and
ask one of the following after each campaign section was completed:]
At this time, I would ask that members of the 3AD who participated
in the Normandy Campaign to come forward and represent all who
were there.
Would Kenneth Armstrong of 23rd Engrs, D Co; Joseph Caserta
of 32nd AR, E Co; and Walter Stitt of 33rd AR, E Co, please place
the Normandy Campaign Streamer on the 3D Flag?
Would all the WWII veterans that participated in the Normandy
Campaign please stand and be recognized? Thank you.
Would Robert Gravlin of 23rd Engrs, B Co; Russell Hogue of
33rd AR, Service; and Harold Paulson of 703rd Tank Destroyer
Bn, please come forward and place the Northern France Campaign
Streamer on the 3AD Flag?
Would all the WWII veterans that served in Northern France
please stand and be recognized? Thank you.
Would Clarence Smoyer of 32nd AR, E Co, and Pershing tank
gunner at the Cologne Cathedral; Henry Soderberg of Div Hqs;
and Harley Swenson of 32nd AR, B Co, please come forward and
place the Rhineland Campaign Streamer on the 3AD Flag?
Would all the WWII veterans that served in the Rhineland Campaign
please stand and be recognized? Thank you.
Would Claude Wood of 67th FA, B Btry; Lawrence Rickey of 32nd
AR, E Co; and James Berry of 36th Armd Inf, D Co, please come
forward and place the Ardennes Campaign Streamer on the
3AD Flag?
Would all the WWII veterans that served in the Ardennes Campaign
please stand and be recognized? Thank you.
Would Donald Feeser of 33rd AR, Service; Oda Miller of 32nd
AR, E Co; and Ralph Manlow of Maint, B Co, please come forward
and place the Central Europe Campaign Streamer on the
3AD Flag?
Would all the WWII veterans that served in the Central Europe
Campaign please stand and be recognized? Thank you.
[Col. Brewster's address would conclude as follows:]
The 3AD earned it's nickname "Spearhead" the hard
way, by battling across France, Belgium and Germany. Among the
many tankers to have fought with the 3AD, there are 4 that are
called Tank "Aces" and "Top Guns":
Lafayette Pool
Henry Earl
Shelton Picard
Cliff Elliott
The 3AD Casualties:
10,371 total, including 2,214 KIA; 7,451 Wounded in Action; and
706 MIA.
The 3AD was inactivated 10 November 1945 at an Army kaserne
in Aalen, Germany.
Would all the WWII Veterans please rise and be recognized.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen - This is why they are the "World's
Greatest Generation."
Please stand. Color Guard - post the Colors!
I thank you for honoring me today. For me, it's been very
special. May God Bless you and your families, and may God continue
to Bless America.
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