"I've just finished looking at your wonderful site. I wasn't even born until after the war, however, several members of my family were involved. When I was a member of the 82nd Airborne division, I got interested in my families involvement with the Normandy campaign. I spent much time doing research at the 82nd museum at Ft. Bragg. I would go home and speak with my uncles for hours about their war-time experiences. My uncle Harry, gave me the D-Day map that he carried on Omaha-Beach. This was in 1977, Memorial Day. Since I did alot of work with maps, he thought that I might appreciate it. I never knew what this would turn into! I made my first trip to France in August 1983. I was the first member of my family to go back to Normandy. I would make many more trips. I will be there again in June of this year, for the 55th anniversary.

I enjoyed the story about Company B, especially during the Battle of the Bulge. Major-General James Gavin of the 82nd is mentioned. Slim-Jim, as he was known to the men of the 82nd, was the youngest 2-star general in the history of the army next to Uylesses S. Grant. He received the second star at age 36! Many of his colonels were several years older then he! I had the chance to meet him on a few occasions. He signed my World War II history of the 82nd, as did his prior boss, Matthew B. Ridgeway."

Three Ghosts by Brian Jones

When he found out that I was on the 'net, he wondered if I would try to look up this lady that he knew in the British Air Force that was stationed in the town of Weston-Super-Mare. It took a few months, I tried everything. Finally, I looked up towns, and found three sites for the area. I sent them all messages and told them to look at my site. Mr Bierman sent me a photo of "Lead Aircraft Woman-P.Joan Maccrae", standing in front of her home with her mother and sister (The first photo on Tim's site is Mr. Bierman in front of the same home.). A Mr. Brian Jones returned my e-mail, and told me that he was interested in completing this World War II story. He lives 1 1/2 miles from the house today.

It took him several weeks, then he took some photos and sent them to me. [They were] pretty erie. One photo showed the three ladies [pulled] from a black and white photo, and [superimposed] on his modern day photo of No.3 Windsor Mansions. They looked like ghosts.

It was sad how the story ended. He went thru records at the Air Base. P. Joan Maccrae died at age 35 with polio. She had a son and a daughter. Her sister was still alive and remembered Mr. Bierman. However, what is very amazing, Brian told me that not only is the sister in the photo alive. Mrs. Maccrae, the mother, had just recently received her telegram from the Queen! She turned 100 in April! She remembered Mr Bierman well, and said he was a great ambassador of our United States. They are now corresponding. At least I was able to help re-unite these folks, due to the 'net.