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BOB BRUINS 21-Jun-2008 04:08
MY NAME IS BOB BRUINS AND I WAS IN THE 388TH FROM OCT 1954 TILL 1957. I was at Clovis when we sailed to France aboard the General Eltinge.We arrived in France and was sent to Hahn.After a few months we went back to Etain.I then was assigned to det i until rotated home in 1957.my job was as a weapons mech. Hope this reaches someone i know
bob bruins
Herb Jankovich 20-Jun-2008 22:53
McBee...Thank you for the great work on the pics of Verdun and the battlefields. I was stationed at Etain in 1961 - 1962 with the 7121st. Made many tours of the area while there.I had a real surprise while reading the guest comments and saw the name of one of my compatriots from the Civil Engr. Sq. at Etain. Will certainly try to get in touch with him! Thanks again for all the great memories. Guess I'll have to go back for a visit.
Sincerely, Herb
Richard "Rick" Gee 18-Jun-2008 22:36
McBee...thank you for putting together this site. I was stationed at Trois Fontaines (TFOD) outside of Bar-le-Duc from 12/58 until 6/60. My best buddy Calvin Vinson and I are the only personnel from that date who have managed to stay in touch. I worked in the Controllers Dept., and was the only military person. I made many friends with the French civilians, and would love to connect with them. Unfortunately, to date Calvin and I have been unable to return to France, but we both keep the dream alive. I would love to communicate with anyone at TFOD during my tour of duty. Thanks again for a great site.
By the way, while in the service, I lived in East Orange, NJ. I have been residing in St. Petersburg, Florida for 3 1/2 years now.
Leon Purdham 18-May-2008 04:31
I was based at the U.S. Army Signal/General Depot in Verdun,France from Aug.,1956 to Aug.,1958.Would like to hear from any vets that also served there.We are looking for pictures to add to our web site.
ellenora haugh 10-May-2008 13:26
My dad was stationed at Etain from 1962 to 1967 . We where there when it was closed . i went to school from 2st grade to 5th grade i think .made a lot of friends but dont remamber there names ,i found this web room just looking around and i have to say i love it , thank you
my dad was
Sg WilliM E BRITTON MOM WAS
Maxine Britton
Wayne Best 31-Mar-2008 20:18
My name is Wayne Best. I was station at Etain Air Base from June 57 into 58 and then was transferred to Laon. I am now 68 years of age and would like to make contact with some of the guys that I was station with. Etain was 388th and Laon was 66th. I was in air police. I now live in Hickory N.C. 28602. My phone no. is 828-294-2708. Please contact me if you remenber me. I remember names like: Getty, Frank Massari from Detroit, Jim Hunter from Detroit, stanislaus Gutowski and in Laon First Sgt. Plourde Chuck, Romero, White.I don't have anything to remind me of thos days. Thank you Wayne Best
Guest 25-Mar-2008 15:55
hi great site i was in etain from 1961 to 1962,i was with the 55th trans we hauled gas all over that area.it was great to see your photoi have some photos from when i was there if i can find them i will send them to you if you want. thanks
Richard Porubsky 21-Mar-2008 14:23
I sure have enjoyed your pictures of Etain and Verdun.It brings back a lot of memories.I left a comment under the air base picture. I served on the base in 1961 &1962 during the Berlin Wall crisis,with the 7121st Tac.Fighter sq. Went back 34 years later with my wife.A great trip. Thanks again.
Frank Santoro 20-Mar-2008 15:36
Anyone in the guestbook interested in viewing photos of the Verdun Signal Depot APO122,
you can go to: USAREUR Units-Communication Zone on the web...You will enjoy!
Again, thanks to R McBee for allowing guestbook comments....
R McBee 17-Mar-2008 19:57
Ed, I believe the memorial you're talking about is at the top of the staircase shown in the first few photos of this gallery:

http://www.pbase.com/rmcbee/02fr

The memorial is near the waterfront on the Quay de Londres in Verdun. You'll see that I took a few photos from the top of that staircase, showing the quay down below. My Dad and I went inside the memorial and saw the record books you mentioned.
ed moser 15-Mar-2008 00:07
father was a doughboy in ww1. i was a g.i.in ww2. my son served 20= years in navy. in france during ww2 i visited verdun. my recollection is hazy and please tell if i dreamed this....in verdun a large monument with three rooms at the top.eachroom for english, french and american soldiersof ww1. 3 large books in each room with names of soldiers serving at verdun. my fathers name scripted in gold inamerican`s room. does this monument exist, or am i dreaming??
Frank Santoro 10-Mar-2008 23:47
John Didcote..Please contact me by email. I will send you two photos of the barracks at Gribeauval Caserne...
Frank Santoro 14-Feb-2008 22:56
R McBee,

Thank you for your quick response. I'll drop him a note via your guestbook and hopefully I can obtain an email address from him. Thank you again...
R McBee 14-Feb-2008 13:05
Frank, thanks for your note. I'm not accepting or posting photographs from other people; I only post the photos I've taken myself. If you wish to correspond with another person who's signed the guest book, feel free to do so.
Frank Santoro 13-Feb-2008 22:44
McBee Family, Great site! I signed on as a guest a year ago. Just noticed a name (John Sullivan Didcote) stationed in the same concerne. He wanted to know if someone had some old photos of the caserne. I do have some photos and will glad send them to your website for him to view. I also have photos of the surrounding countryside from the late 50's. If you wish, I will include them in my email to you for editing. Please let me know if and how you wish them sent to you...Respectfully,
Susanna 03-Feb-2008 03:01
Mr & Mrs. Mc Bee,
Wonderful albums, I viewed all yours 7000+ photos. I'm going to Europe soon, thank you very much for sharing those wonderful photos.
Susanna from Toronto Canada
Tom 21-Jan-2008 20:17
RMcBee; Great pix. I'm headed to eastern France in April 2008 toward Beaune. Would really like to see Verdun and the pictures you've taken inspire me. Thanks, Tom
tony21986 14-Jun-2007 05:42
Wow, that is great. I'm at a loss of words.
Paula Yount 22-May-2007 15:52

Mr./Ms. McBee:
I'm not sure if my original message went through so I thought I would register and then send another message. My father's name was Donald R. Wate, and he was stationed in Verdun, France from 1961 to 1964, and during that tour I was born. These pictures are so very wonderful. I do not remember what Verdun looks like as I was just a baby when we left. It has been my dream to return to see it one day, and now since I've seen these pictures, I know I must do all I can to return and see it. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful pictures, it means a lot to me, and probably many other people who were born there as well. Please, if anyone wishes to contact our family, please feel free to e-mail me.

Paula Yount
Daughter of Donald Ray Wate
United States Army
apollozeroc 08-Mar-2007 07:19
Stunning work.
OLE SARGE. 14-Apr-2006 21:08
Tom;
I was stationed at Etain from June 1957 to Nov 1959 with the 82nd Transportation company. I revisited Etain many times since then. These photos were taken it the 1980s
Just to show you how it looks now.
Tom Trieskey 01-Apr-2006 03:42
I would like to talk with anyone that was at Etain between 1956-1959.
Danny 07-Mar-2006 18:39
Hi,

it's nice to see my hometown (Antwerp) through the eyes of a tourist. I read you travelled by car from Holland through Belgium and made some pit stops. Many Americans enter Antwerp with a cuiseship which docks nearby the "old" part of the city. I lived near the Cathedral for several years, in an authentic house from 1614. As you say, many nice restaurants, cafés, places to see...

Glad you liked it,
cheers,
Danny
R McBee 02-Nov-2005 19:44
Jason, as I've said before, I'd be happy to be a tour guide for you, Christy, and the boys. ;-)
Jason Sheroan 31-Oct-2005 19:36
Russ,

Great pix. Jawdropping in fact. You have a real knack for taking great pictures too. Maybe it's just because I've never seen anything like the buildings and landscape in Europe. But you have a way of making "water" look amazing. lol!! Thanks for sharing!
"I don't care pretty baby... just Take Me With U!"

j
Guest 04-Oct-2005 21:00
It's like listening to a really good CD, or watching a well-scripted and cast classic film...you just get lost in the imagery and turn away from it feeling full.
Awesome shots, Russ!
Joel Tinnel 03-Oct-2005 11:45
Gonna have to come back to this (when I'm not at work) and peruse them in a more leisurely manner. In the meantime, from what I've seen...not bad fer an ol' East Tennessee boah...hope all is well.
Betty 02-Oct-2005 02:47
Awesome!!! Breathtaking!!! I enjoyed the photos very much.
Laura 02-Oct-2005 00:13
Vury Vury Nice! :-)
G. Westerveld 07-Jun-2005 03:35
Enjoyed your photos of Etain, France. I was stationed on the air base from 1960-1962 with the 249th Engr Bn. Feel free to contact me. I have photos of the Air Base.
Luxgetz 09-Apr-2005 08:37
Hi there. Great galleries. Nice to see your pictures from Europe / Luxembourg. I am myself from Berdorf which is 5km from Echternach and Beaufort where you have been. The day you get back to Luxembourg let me know & we go for a drink - cheers :) Thierry
craig 20-Mar-2005 22:00
Wishing to obtain permission to use some of your photos, esp. Verdun for History Class at my school. Have been to the places myself, but before digital era.

Thanks

Craig
Laura 16-Feb-2005 01:56
You have entirely too much time on your hands, young man! I'm so jealous. :-)
mike senger 27-Oct-2004 19:09
I came upon your gallery while looking for any information about Etain, France. My father was stationed in nearby Verdun and our family lived in the newly constructed housing just outside Etain from 1959-1961. It was great to see the photos and stir up old memories. Thanks.
Pam Johnson 15-Sep-2004 13:26
I am speechless. These pictures are breathtaking.
Love you,
Pam
Guest 14-Sep-2004 22:26
Awesome pitchers!!! (lol) I loved the churches. I would love to see inside each of them. You really got some great shots. Love ya, Betty
Mary Ann 14-Sep-2004 15:47
Hi, Russ,

Way cool photos! Glad you had a good trip!

Check out my web site at samvenable.com.

Mary Ann
Tim 14-Sep-2004 12:31
Great pictures Russ. Some very interesting angles.

Tim
Miki 14-Sep-2004 12:26
'Tis the highlight of my week to visually share the journey with you! Your photography captures the very essence of your personal perspective - what a gift to share with others! Peace out, babe.
Nancy 14-Sep-2004 12:10
Where's the chocolate? hee,hee! Great pictures!!
Diane 14-Sep-2004 02:52
What beautiful sites and pictures! Know you enjoyed your time with your dad. Wonder how many pictures you'll take in Greece!!!!
Greg Edwards 14-Sep-2004 02:11
Russ,

I hope you had lots of fun visiting Europe. The pictures are fantastic, and boy howdy, you took a lot of em! We miss ya at NH man. Don't be a stranger.

- Greg
tina 13-Sep-2004 23:28
WOW!! what else is there to say?? except maybe this...time for some pool and beer to hear all the stories!! luv ya dumplin!
John Overgaard 23-Apr-2004 22:05
Hello R McBee
My name is John Overgaard and I liv in Denmark in the city caled Hillerød.

The pichtures from Hillerød is great.
I hope you anderstand my english it is difficult for me to spell in english.

You have to chanch the nams for the gallery you have cald Hillerød for Fredensborg and
Fredensborg for Hillerød.

The quen is living in Fredensborg. The castel in Hillerød is calld “Frederiksborg Slot”.

Thank you for al the great pictures.

Take at look on:

www.pbase.com/joodan and www.johnovergaard.dk

Kindly

John from Denmark
Harry Puncec 16-Dec-2003 03:52
Great photos of an area I knew well. I was stationed with the 97th Engineer Bn. in Verdun and Etain during late 1959 to early 1962. When your dad's outfit, the 249th returned to Germany in '61 we took over working on the spur line. In fact and unless I remember it wrong, he lived in barracks right across the street from us on Etain Air Force Base during the project. I met a guy in the 249th from Denver like me and we became friends. He also suffered a badly damaged foot when he accidently drove an ax through it while on the job (long story). Yes, lots of memories. Thanks for the photos.
Tandy Warwick 24-Nov-2003 09:07
Russ,

I was reading our church newsletter (Rutherford Mem.United Methodist), and found out about your site. I know your Mom and Dad, and I grew up in Corryton. I have lived in Nashville for the past 19 years. You are such a wonderful photographer and viewing your pictures makes me feel as if I am in each place. You certainly have a great talent! Thanks for such a wonderful website!
Melissa 11-Oct-2003 20:24
Wow, those are great!!!! I bet you had a blast!
Dana D 29-Sep-2003 14:32
Hi Russ,

We missed you so much! I hope you had a good birthday while you were gone. From the beautiful pictures, it looks like you did. I am so jealous! I want to hear all about it.
drew 29-Sep-2003 12:53
real niiccee russ. thanks for sending me the link. i didn't see too many pub shots. you may have to show some of those to me at a later date.

thanks for the link,
drew
Kristi 29-Sep-2003 11:36
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing them with us!!
Kristi
Michael Mayes 29-Sep-2003 01:22
Hey Bub-

Nice job on the pics! Only 2100?? What, did you stop to sleep and eat? Have you ever given consideration to a job in the travel industry??

Glad to know you're back in one piece- we'll chat with you soon!

M
Jason Sheroan 28-Sep-2003 20:33
Russ, those pictures are all just unbelievable. I'm truly blown away by all them, and riddled with jealousy! Thank you so much for sharing. it's like being there.

Jason
Judy Morrison 28-Sep-2003 19:21
Hi Russ,
I love the photos. What a great idea to allow all your family and
friends to view them. Thank you, and I love you. Judy
Betty 28-Sep-2003 03:33
Russ,
Thanks for the photo's. They are great! I can't wait to see you. I am sure you have some wonderful stories to tell.
Love you lots,
Betty
Deb 27-Sep-2003 23:55
Honey, those were awesome! I am so jealous you got to this again! You're pic's turned out great. Now aren't you glad you have your digital and you didn't have to pay to have these all developed and put on CD? Glad your back and I love the pic's. They're beautiful!

Love ya,

Deb
Laura 27-Sep-2003 23:51
Great photos dude! Be sure to archive them onto CD. My HDD crashed and I lost all my photos from Sweden. :-( Hope all is well.
Valerie 27-Sep-2003 20:27
How wonderful! I am so jealous of the web site! The photos are fabulous, and what a great job you've done on the web site.

Tom and I leave Monday for Amsterdam. We are taking a river boat cruise down the Rhine through Germany and then the Danube through Austria ending at Budapest. Heidelberg is one of the places we will be visiting, so I paid particular attention to those pictures. I wish I could do a web site of my photos, but will probably just do a low tech photo album.

It was wonderful to hear from you. Email me and catch me up on what you've been doing (besides globe-trotting) these days.

Valerie