Year of Firsts - Memorial Day

     Memorial Day: The official kick-off of summer. Everyone is gearing up for BBQs, swimming, gatherings... But it's more than just a three-day weekend. Today is one of the somber days in history. I shared a video about this day last year on YouTube. You can check it out here.

    This holiday began on May 5, 1866, in Virginia but it was called Decoration Day. It was a day put aside for family and friends to visit cemeteries and decorate the graves of the soldiers who had fallen during the Civil War. Since then, it has grown considerably. This day is now to recognize the soldiers who have given the Ultimate Sacrifice in ALL the wars. For without them, we would not have the freedom to celebrate with BBQ, swimming, and gatherings. 
    Not only is this day for those who have given the Ultimate Sacrifice, those who have passed on who served in the Military also receive recognition. At the National Cemeteries around the United States flags are placed at the graves of ALL the soldiers buried at the cemetery. 

"At Arlington National Ceremony, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment places American Flags at the gravesites of fallen service members just before Memorial Day. It’s a tradition known as 'Flags In,' and it’s taken place every year since the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment was designated as the official 'ceremonial unit' in 1948." Source: JoinCake.com

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

May 28, 2021

"A Memorial Day weekend tradition canceled by the pandemic last year will return to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Usually, members of the Boy Scouts of America place American Flags on the graves at Jefferson Barracks for Memorial Day. That effort starts Wednesday afternoon and continues through Saturday. Scout leaders said this is one of the longest-running Memorial Day events within the Boy Scouts of America." Source: Fox2Now

    Many celebrations will also take place around the United States. In Eureka, Missouri, the local VFW Post 5468 will hold their Memorial Day Ceremony on Memorial Day at the local Community Center. They will gather to read off the names of all the soldiers who were members of the VFW or citizens of Eureka who have passed away. This year, my dad's name will be read for the first time.

    Ever since I was a child, I looked forward to Memorial Day weekend because that meant pools were going to be opened and we would start taking trips down to the lake regularly to go swimming. But now, this is the hardest time for me. Dad was always very much involved in getting things set up for the Memorial Day Ceremony. One year, Mark even helped dad get all the flags put out in town on the lights. I am sad to say, I never attended the Memorial Day Ceremony in Eureka while dad organized it. But this year, I will definitely be attending, and while I'm able to, every year after that to honor dad. I will also be recording this ceremony and the video will be placed below once it is uploaded.

Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony

Eureka, Missouri

May 31, 2021

    We visited Dad's grave early for the holiday season to avoid the rush and crowds. With Covid still in our lives, we are still trying to be careful. The flags that were already placed around the cemetery were just beautiful. We even saw some special visitors that were coming out to say hello.

    This was the hardest visit yet for me. For the first time since Dad has been gone, I just wanted to hug him so bad. I miss him terribly. I keep waiting for him to call me with a question or just to talk. It's still so surreal. Like he is just out of town temporarily and he will be back soon. I wish that were the case. And the thought of him not coming back is just too much to bear. Even right now as I am typing this out, I can't stop the tears from flowing. 
    But I know where he is. And I know he is at peace. I can't be selfish, although I want to be. I want him back here with us. I want to talk to him more. I want to show him things. But he is in God's hands and I can't imagine a better place to be. 
    Today we will have parents over for a BBQ and spend time together as a family all the while feeling like someone is missing. But we will celebrate the good times. Make new memories. And eat dad's favorite summer food, Mom's Homemade Potato Salad. It will be hard, but we will celebrate for him. And remember him in the process. 

    So as you celebrate today, don't forget that there are families who don't get to celebrate with their loved ones. Families who soldier never came home. Children who will grow up without knowing one of their parents. Parents who will never hug their child again. And siblings who will miss sharing a drink with their brother or sister. Remember the day for what it is. And thank that family for their Soldier's Sacrifice.

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

May 28, 2021

Happy Memorial Day

US WWI Burial Cards & Initial Burial Plats for WWI American Soldiers

     New records become available every day. Always be checking online for records relating to your ancestors. They may not be available now, but they might be later. I ran into this myself recently.
    Fold 3 has their free access over Memorial Weekend, so I decided to check out if there was anything new available. Doing a quick search on William Ilg, my 2nd Great Uncle (Read his story here: William Ilg, the gone but not forgotten Uncle) a new collection popped up: U.S. WWI Burial Cards. What are these??

"WWI Burial Cards documents the death and burial information of over 78,000 American soldiers in World War I. Each card contains the name of the individual who died, the unit they were assigned to, the nature of their death, and the burial location(s) of the soldier, up to and including their final resting place." Source: Fold 3

    How exciting! This collection was recently added to Fold 3 (May 21, 2021) so that's why I had never seen these before. And one for William Ilg popped right now. This card contains information I already had for William thanks to his Burial Case File. I got a copy of his Burial Case File when I visited the National Archives in St. Louis. I will tell you, there is no other feeling in the world like holding your ancestor's original documents. This file was a treasure trove of information about his death.

WWI Burial Card (Front)

William Ilg, 3087404

Fold 3

WWI Burial Card (Back)

William Ilg, 3087404

Fold 3

    Exciting news though. As of 2018, the National Archives is in the process of digitizing these Case Files to put online. They will be located here: Correspondence, Reports, Telegrams, Applications, and Other Papers Relating to Burials of Service Personnel, 1/1/1915-12/31/1939 aka as “Burial Case Files” in RG 92 (NAID 595318). Right now they are only up to the "A" names. I'm sure Covid has slowed the process down a bit. You can still contact the Archives and ask them about your ancestor's specific Burial Case File.

    There is one section on the Burial Card I am very curious about though. The section labeled "Photograph No." What does that mean? Was there a photograph in his original military file? Unfortunately, this file was destroyed in the  1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. So it's possible, if there was a photo, it was destroyed.

Watch my YouTube Video here about the

Fire at the National Personnel Records Center

    I sent a message to the National Archives to ask them about this. I am hoping to get a response at some point. I know it's a long shot for anyone to actually know what this means, but it's worth a shot.

    While doing a search online to learn more about the Burial Cards, the National Archives blog popped up. Apparently, the cards have been available since 2018 but were only recently indexed and made available to Fold 3 as of May 21, 2021. The blog talking about the Burial Cards led me to another blog post that mentioned "Initial Burial Plats for WWI American Soldiers". Since my 2nd Great Uncle was Killed in Action and buried on the battlefield, this caught my attention. I already got paperwork describing the location of where William was initially buried, but to have a map to go with it? I was intrigued. 

Original Burial Record

William Ilg, 3087404

Burial Case File #38946

National Archives, St. Louis, Missouri

    According to the blog post, once you go to the National Archives website where the collection is located, you can view the Plat books. But how do you know which Plat book to look in? Well, there is a spreadsheet you can download to see if your ancestor's name is listed. And if it is, it gives you the Plat Book and Map number. So head over to the blog post listed above and following the instructions. By doing this, I found the Map of where William was originally laid to rest on the battlefield. 

Source: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/102727724

    So you see, you never know what new record collections may become available in the future. So don't give up hope. Check often on your favorite sites and follow blogs. Records are being digitized every day. Good luck!

Selling Buddy Poppies - Article Written by Dad

Selling Buddy Poppies

By: Dennis Fuchs

Photo from VFW.org

I would like to share my experience with selling poppies and the stories that I have heard. These conversations and stories are not intended to hurt, embarrass or discredit anyone. I would like to thank those that shared their feeling and thoughts with me.

It started Saturday morning when the first lady came up to me and thanked me for selling poppies, and said she always bought poppies whenever she saw someone selling them, because her deceased husband was a Veteran and kind of reminded her of him when he sold them.

Another conversation I had was with a lady and a small child, as they entered this store I don’t know if they were mother and daughter or grandmother or granddaughter, as the lady gave me her donation, I gave her a Buddy Poppy, and I gave the little girl a Poppy also, and thanked her for their donation, the lady touched my hand and looked at me and thanked me for making a big difference in the little girl's day I don’t know what had happened that day before they arrived, but just giving her a Poppy must have made a difference, and as they left the store she said it again.

Many people stop and ask about the Poppies, It makes a Veteran feel good that a person takes time to question about your sales, and that they remember their dad or husband selling Poppies.

One lady came by and said thank you and went in the store, and as she was leaving she handed another Veteran a thank you card and gave him a thank you hug for his Military service and for helping our Veterans.

Some shoppers come by and say, “you got me at this or that store” I would prefer they say that they donated already or show the Poppy by “ Wear it Proudly” not that I got you! Or you got me! The Poppy means so much to Veterans for that.

Some families come by and say thank you, would you mind change? Not at all thank you and you extend your donation can for their donation. Some People want to give their donation in your hand, or just touch you. I just smile and say thank you, sometimes a look or touch means so much.

Some Veterans come by and ask where you served your military service and talk about their experiences, I think that helps some get over some of their troubled times if it did then my being there was helpful. I know, in later years it helped me when I returned from Vietnam

As the day went along I heard people say they put their Poppies on their sun visor it helps to remember Veterans, Great idea, I know people that did that for years. On a lighter side of Poppies; One man purchased a new Poppy and said his needed to be changed he thought it had died. Someone said he should have watered it, but Poppies never die they are alive as our memories and thoughts of our loved ones.

Speaking of water, one young lady came up to me and handed me a donation of five dollars for one Poppy, as I stated before some people like to place their donation in your hand, as she did she looked me in the eyes and said her father was Veteran as she turned away I could see her eyes were watering, I thanked her for her donation. To my surprise, she returned just a few seconds later and handed me another five-dollar bill and said her Father was a Vietnam Veteran and that he had died last year and she wanted another Poppy as she was going to put it on his grave. This time there were two sets of eyes watering.

There were other stories and conversations as the two days of Poppies sales wound down we were happy as we had sold all our Poppies when we were leaving a lady wanted a Poppy, I had looked everywhere, no more, but someone noticed one of our Veterans, had a Poppy in his shirt, one last sale and a happy person.

That should have been the last, but I did not notice one last Poppy in the bottom of the box, where did it come from? I then remembered the young lady wanting to put Poppy on her father's grave, Yes, I took that last Poppy and went to the cemetery where my dad was buried and thanked him.

*Article originally published in the Current Newspaper June 2002

World War II Draft Cards, Registration Certificates & Notice of Classification Cards

      On September 16, 1940, the Selective Service Act was enacted by President Roosevelt. The Selective Service Act was the first peacetime conscription act in the United States, and it required men between the ages of 21-36 years of age to register with local draft boards. Later when World War II began, the ages were extended to include 18-65 years of age. 

FDR signing the Selective Service Act

Sept 16, 1940

Source: Wikipedia

     Seven mass registrations were conducted by civilian authorities in response to the Presidential proclamation. Once this was put in place, men went out to their local boards to register for the draft. They were interviewed by the registrars who then filled out the Draft Registration Cards based on the registrant's answers. That was the first step. These cards are now available for viewing on a few different websites including Ancestry, Fold3, and Family Search. Most everyone in the genealogy community is familiar with these cards and has even found their ancestors in these databases. But did you know there were a couple other cards that were filled out and were required to be kept with the registrants at all times?
     Recently, I was going through my grandma's house collecting what I could before the house was sold when I came across a metal lockbox with a whole bunch of documents inside. Documents that included Birth, Death, and Marriage certificates along with other important papers. I'd hit the genealogy jackpot! One item that specifically caught my attention was this "Notice of Classification" card that was in my Grandpa Les's wallet. I'd never seen this before. I assumed it was just a draft card that he had received when he registered for the draft in World War II, but the date on this card was AFTER he had already completed his service. Hmmm... Many questions started to form. 

Front

Back

     After much searching on the internet, I understood more what this was, why he would have it, and what he was also supposed to carry with it. To understand, let's start at the beginning with the Draft Registration. Grandpa Les Wheeler would have been required to appear before the local board for registration. The process is explained in the Selective Service Regulations:

Selective Service Regulations: 

September 23, 1940, to February 1, 1942. 

United States: U.S. Government Printing Office

View for Free on Google Books

     Turns out they even had different colored cards depending on your date of birth. Never knew that before. I have done some research to learn more about the different colors used, but there is nothing available specifically about this. So moving on. Everything would be filled out on this Card (also known as Form 1) except for the Serial Number and Order number. This would come later. But this is what the form would have looked like all completed. 

WWII Draft Registration Card (Front)

Grandpa Les Wheeler

Source: Ancestry.com

WWII Draft Registration Card (Back)

Grandpa Les Wheeler

Source: Ancestry.com

     Once the information has been verified, and the card signed by the Registrant, they are done right? No! How would someone be able to prove that he had in fact registered? I'm glad you asked. Turns out a Registration Certificate was issued to verify that you had indeed registered for the draft.

Selective Service Regulations: 

September 23, 1940 to February 1, 1942 

United States: U.S. Government Printing Office

Pg 135/767

View for Free on Google Books

 
    Now, I didn't find this Registration Certificate (Form 2) in my Grandma's files, but there are many examples online. I found this wonderful blog called Rooted in Elizabeth where the blogger shares her Grandfather's cards and information. Check out Liz's blog here: 
https://rootedinelizabeth.blogspot.com/2018/05/wallace-b-dixon-wwii-deferment.html

Selective Service Registration Certificate, 1940

Source: Rooted In Elizabeth

     But what about the Notice of Classification card? Where did that come from? Upon further inspection in the Selective Service Regulations book, there was a whole section explaining the Classification process (which I am not going to go into right now). But it does explain where they came from.

Selective Service Regulations: 

September 23, 1940 to February 1, 1942 

United States: U.S. Government Printing Office

Pg 135/767

View for Free on Google Books

The rest of the mystery is solved by looking at the bottom of the Notice of Classification card. It states:

"The law requires you, subject to heavy penalty for violation, to have this notice, in addition to your Registration Certificate (Form 2), in your personal possession at all times--to exhibit it upon request to authorized officials--to surrender it upon entering the armed forces, to your commanding officer."

     Ok, so when he entered the Army, he would have surrendered his original Notice of Classification Card (Form 57). Then when he was discharged from the army on June 10, 1944, a new card (the one I currently have) was issued so he could present it to any authorized officials if necessary. As Kronk would say from Emperor's New Groove, "Oh yeah, it's all coming together." 

     I really wasn't planning on falling down the rabbit hole as far as I did, but sometimes you gotta fall to come back up with the answers. Now I know what this card was for and why my grandpa had it with him. I also have my grandpa's Enlistment Record along with his Discharge Certificate. These may not even be available at the National Archives because of the fire that occurred in 1973. So I am definitely blessed to have them. Below these documents is a picture of my grandpa in his Uniform. He was definitely a handsome man. No wonder my grandma fell for him.

Les Wheeler Enlistment Record

Camp Stewart Georgia

Les Wheeler Discharge Certificate

Camp Stewart Georgia

10 June 1944

Les Wheeler

1942-1944

Unknown Location

     To close this blog out, I'm going to share a video I found on YouTube. It's a video called, "Introduction To The US Army 1944-Induction of Soldiers Film." Thought this would be a great closer. Definitely an interesting video. Do you have any original documents from your ancestor's service in World War II?

Sources:
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Training_and_Service_Act_of_1940

Selective Service System - https://www.sss.gov/history-and-records/

Selective Service Regulations: September 23, 1940 to February 1, 1942 on 
Google Books - https://www.google.com/books/edition/Selective_Service_Regulations/r924AAAAIAAJ?gbpv=1
*Note: This particular book has been amended, so some of the regulations are different; the amendments are in the back of this book; there is an updated version of this book here.

Rooted in Elizabeth Blog - https://rootedinelizabeth.blogspot.com/

Year of Firsts - Mother's Day

      Today is Mother's Day in the United States. A day to celebrate the women in our lives that have raised us, supported us, given up their lives for us, whether blood or not. Their sacrifices have made us what we are today. So for that reason, we celebrate them. 
     Today is also the birthday of my Grandma Ann Fuchs, a wonderful woman I never got the chance to meet as she died about a year and a half before I was born. But the way my Dad, Mom, Aunts, and Uncles talked about her, I knew she was definitely an amazing woman. Unfortunately, her life was cut short as she passed away from Mesothelioma in 1980; the same cause that took my dad's life this year. So this Mother's Day is particularly hard. 
     Usually, for Mother's Day, Dad would take mom and let her pick out a whole bunch of flowers to plant in the back yard and pick out many hanging baskets as well. They both enjoyed working on the back porch, planting flowers, and making it look beautiful. Mom's favorite pastime was just going out to water the flowers. She found it peaceful and relaxing. So I know Mom is definitely feeling Dad's absence this year. I plan on taking her to get flowers soon, but it's not the same I know. And with the temps fluctuating so much, Mom said it's best to wait until after Mother's Day; their usual rule of thumb. 
     There was one thing Mom did request: She wanted to go to the Cemetery are put flowers on Grandma Ann's grave and a picture. So I said, let's do it. She hadn't been to the cemetery in years what with her working so much before. Now she is retired. A time that should be happy, but all it does is remind her dad is not here to enjoy it with her. 
     The weather was not supposed to be very good this weekend, so we went on Friday to the cemetery. It was a beautiful, sunny day, but the feelings were bitter-sweet. It was hard not to cry as we placed the flowers and photo at Grandma Ann's grave, knowing this year she gets to spend her birthday with her son in Heaven for the first time in almost 40 years. We are happy Dad is with her and at peace, but we miss him so. Like I said, bitter-sweet. See the photos below from our visit to the cemetery.
     Mom is coming over today for a bbq and we will just enjoy each other's company. We will reminisce and have a few laughs. We will talk about how at end of dinner, Grandma Ann would ask everyone, "Ok what do you want for breakfast?" as everyone would groan cause they were so full. Dad loved telling that story. Or the story about how dad's hands were dirty and he shook them letting mom know he needed a napkin and his mom jumped all over him. She told mom, "You sit down and let him get his own napkin."  She then said to dad, "What are your hands broken? Get your own napkin! You are a big boy!" So now to tease, we all do the "hand shaking" when we need napkins. Even Sancia's friend Bella has picked up on it haha!
     Today we celebrate Mother's, but also mourn the family not with us on this day.  Happy Mother's Day Grandma Ann. Happy Mother's Day Grandma Ruth. And Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there. I know this day tends to be harder than others, but know this, you are special, you are amazing, and you are worthy. You are more precious in God's eyes than you will ever know. 

Miss you Grandma and Dad!

Me, Sancia, and Mom

Oak Hill Cemetery

Kirkwood, Missouri

May 7, 2021

Grandma and Papa Fuchs

Oak Hill Cemetery

Kirkwood, Missouri

May 7, 2021

Dad and His mom, Ann

abt 1944

Happy Mother's Day & Happy Birthday

May 7, 2021