Chapter 42 - Reg's Scrapbook - World War II Time-Line - 1945

Today I'm postingone major day from Dad's scrapbook for September 1945.  I definetly feel all of us need to remember these historic days and thank all of the servicemen and women that took part in these events.  The book, "Gibbon's Secrets", gives you "A Boy's Memories of the 40's" - and is available not only in paperback but as an ebook at all major book outlets (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AuthorHouse - plus distribution through Ingram Book Wholesaler).  The ebook usage has had a phonominal increase with the introduction of Kindel, Nook, and now the IPad; there is an increase in people that just like the idea of reading a book digitally.  Cost is another factor as ebooks are more cost effective and therefore can increase the number of people reading today.


September 2nd 1945 - Japanese Foreigh Minister Mamoru Shigemisu signs the instrument of surrender aborar the battleship "USS Missouri", in Tokyo Bay, Japan.


From December 7th 1941 'till September 2nd 1945, which is just short of four years, the United States had been involved in World War II.  This won't be the end; occupation forces will be maintained, help to re-build the nations will be brought about, and the war trials will be held.  Unfortunately, this will not stop all evil in the world.  The United States will do its part to rebuild the nations of the world through aid and support programs, but . . . Unfortunately, this also will be forgotten by the same nations that we helped, and evil will still remain in the world.

Individual families that experience World War II in their home towns will remember the sacrifices they went through, and their many contributions toward the war effort.  They will remember the ordinary patriots.

First, they will always remember the young patriots; Bud, Donny, Wally, Duncan and Stanley, who showed their patriotic zeal in Gibbon.  Next, they will never forget the Gibbon men that either served in the armed forces, or served here at home; Dale, Tom, Jack and Bob, and all of the servicemen and women who lost their lives in this greatest of all efforts . . . . . to end World War II and to maintain our freedom.

Chapter 40 - Reg's Scrapbook - World War II Time Line - 1944

I am going to post the entries made in my Dad's scrapbook as shown in Capter 40 of "Gibbon's Secrets" for the month of September 1944.

September 3rd 1944 - British forces, under Lieutenant General Sir Miles C. Dempsey, captures Brussels - Belgium

September 4th 1944 - An armistice is declared between Finland and the Soviet Union.  Finnish order: Germany must leave Finland by 16 September.

September 5th 1944 - The Soviet Union declares war on Bulgaria.

September 8th 1944 - The Germans launched the first V-2 rocket and hits London.  The V-2 was launched from Wassenaar, a suburb of The Hague, still in German hands.

September 10th 1944 - President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill meet in Quebec, Canada.

September 10th 1944 - American troops capture Luxemburg.

September 11th 1944 - Units of the American Army crosses German border north of Trier.
September 11th 1944 - Patrols of the 2nd British Army cross Dutch border north of Leopoldsburg.

September 17th 1944 - "Operation Market Garden":  Allied paratrooops land inside the Netherlands, the biggest airborne operation ever attempted.

September 20th 1944 - British Guards Armoured Division and U.S. 82nd Airborne Division have taken Nimwegen by a fast attack which captures the important birdge over the Waal; before the Germans could destroy it.

Chapter 40 - "Gibbon's Secrets - World War II Time Line 1944

I am going to share a few of the highlights from Reg's Scrapbook - 1944

August 24th, 1944 - Allied forces capture Bordeaux France

August 25th 1944 - The liberation of Paris, by Free French, United States, and British forces happened today.  General Jacques LeClerc accepts the German surrender.

August 26th 1944 - "The Great Liberation Parade" in Paris, led by armored vehicles under the Arc de Triumph.

August 31st 1944 - American forces reach the old French "Maginot Line".

August 31st 1944 - The US Task Force 39 executes raids on Iwo Jima and the Boninei Islands, the West Carolinian, the Plau Islands, Mindanano and the Philippines.

As you can see from the above listing for the last week of August in 1944 - the Allied forces were making positive inroads.  History is so important for us to remember and therefore please share these events with friends and family.  We want to keep alive these memories of World War II to show how important it was for the world.  We should always be proud of our American Heritage and never apologize for these actions. 

How many of you take your Health for granted?

Our health, excuse the expression, sometimes isn't important enough until we have a health problem.  It is a very fragile thing, "Our Health", and we really get serious when ourselves or our loved ones have a problem.  I was required to take my wife Pat to the hospital recently because of two weeks of continued diarrhea sapping her strength, taking away her potassium and fluid levels, and causing a quick loss of 5 pounds.  Pat is a small lady so she really didn't have the extra weight to loose.  When your fluid levels are depleted, your strength levels fall quite rapidly.

We checked her into the hospital, they started the fluids and potassium flowing through an IV, and wouldn't you know - her strength levels rapidly started back.  We need to be ready to turn our problems over to the Lord, rather than stewing about them.  He can direct the doctors to give us the treatments we need, and help our bodies to cope with whatever the problems are.  Why do we hesitate?  Human nature I guess.

Anyway, thank goodness, she is back home and now resting comfortably.  If you remember the last time you were in the hospital - the night noises can keep you from getting the proper rest.  We need to just get well enough to go home so you can catch up on the sleep we lost when we were sick, plus the night noises at the hospital.

All I'm really saying tonight is - Thank you Lord - and rest easy Pat.

Remember, don't take your health for granted.

Gibbon's Secrets - Ch 42 - World War II Time Line 1945

1945's Time Line of history, found as Chapter Forty Two in "Gibbon's Secrets".

From December 7th 1941 'till September 3nd 1945, which is just short of four years, the United States had been involved in World War II.  This won't be the end; occupation forces will be maintained, help to re-build the nations will be brought about, and the war trials will be held.  Unfortunately, this will not stop all evil in the world.  The United States will do its part to rebuild the nations of the world through aid and support programs, but... Again, unfortunately, this also will be forgotten by the same nations that we helped, and evil will still remain in the world.

Individual families that experienced World War II in their home towns will remember the sacrifices they went through, and their many contributions toward the war effort.  They will remember the ordinary patriots.

I dedicated my book "Gibbon's Secrets" to all of these ordinary patriots.  So much was accomplished in those four years - please remember and honor all of our vets!

Picture taken in front of our Grand Island townhouse

Never forget this image taken on September 11th - pieces from one of the planes that hit the tower went through the roof of the building where the Muslims want to build their mosque. 

USS Harry S. Truman CVN 75 - Another grand ship.

USS Harry S. Truman CVN 75

Leaving for deployment

100811-N-6362C-043 USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, Arabian Sea (Aug. 11, 2010) - An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 launches from the flight deck of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). VFA 105 is deployed as part of Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Tyler Caswell/Released)

August 13th 1955 - Grand Island Nebraska

RG Bud Phelps & Pat L Kelly were married at the Chapel at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island Nebraska .  Seventy one people were in attendance for this 1st wedding ceremony in the Chapel.   Pat's family in attendance: her Father Lloyd, her Mother Vera, her Brother Bill and his wife Marge, her Brother Jim and his wife Angie, plus the children of her two brothers along with Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.  Bud's family in attendance: his Father Reg, his Mother Addie, his Sister Jean and her husband Ken, along with some of Bud's Curtis and Grand Island friends.  Jerry Carney, Bud's friend that introduced Pat to him, had served with Bud in the Navy.

The reception was at the Gold Room in the Yancy Hotel - downtown Grand Island - and was attended by 250 to 300 people.  It was a very nice reception but somewhat of a blur 55 years ago tomorrow.  I do remember highlights of the reception line and the brother-in-laws pouring the champaign to the crowd with Lloyd trying to slow them down a bit.  The entire thing was a big deal to this country boy.

I have been blessed with Pat over these 55 years, along with the blessing of three daughters; Bridget, Shauna, and Wendy.  The grandchildren started with Bridget's children; Kelly first and then Cory.  Next Shauna's daughter Kalyn and finally Wendy & Mike's son Andrew.

The 55 years have flown by and how could anyone not say they were blessed when they look at this family!