Speaking of forums participation, offered here is a chance to do so.

I've read in many topics through the "Stone-Ages" about peoples lack of participation here and on other sites. Well, offered here now, is a Golden opportunity to do so as well as also make a WWII Veteran happy.

What I am doing is, that I am asking to see if anyone here who wishes to participate in this, to please do so. What this is I am asking of is this. My best living WWII German Vet/Friend of mine is going to be celebrating his 90th Birthday coming up in mid September.

I was toying with the idea to see who here would really like to have a chance to make a Veteran feel good on his milestone celebration day.

A little background on my friend. His name is Karl Kaiser and he was an NCO on U 181 and his first Uboat Commander was none other than Wolfgang Luth-who is one of 27 men who won the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, the Oak Leaves, the Swords and the Diamonds. Karl himself, is a highly decorated Veteran as he is the Recipient of the German Cross in Gold-which was awarded to him and a few other U 181 men in Singapore in early 1945.

Let me be clear if someone might think it impossible to wish this very kind and generous person, anykind of good wishes only because of his service in the Kriegsmarine in WWII. This man served honorably throuout his time in WWII serving with some of the most famous and most honorable men who happened to be serving in one branch of the military-unfortunately under Hitlers over-all command. Ask almost any German Kriegsmarine Vet who they served under - at whos Navy it was that they served in-and the vast majority of the time, they will tell you they served in "Donitz's Navy" and not Hitlers Navy.

If anyone here want's the chance to participate in this chance to send some nice greetings to a man who certainly deserves the attention, please let me know here and if I get enough "nibbles" for this? I'll start an appropriate thread for it.

My only "snag" is that I do not have a printer to print this stuff out but, if I have a volunteer to do that, I will reimburse you for any costs and time. I will also then send Karls address to the person to mail these greetings out to Herr Kaiser.

Time is limited to about 10 days for this to happen and then to be able to get this to Karl in time for his Birthday celebrations. He is not expecting anything like this and this would be a great opportunity to make a nice Gent alot happier on his special day.

If anyone is interested in this? please let me know here.

Many thanks and best regards--Carl.

 

Carl. I would be pleased to oblige for such a great milestone in this mans life.

 

I would like to put a friendly greeting of my own towards this man! Using my real name of coarse.

 

As would I, let us know what you wish done!

 

Count me in!

 

Hi Carl, I would be happy to wish him well

 

Carl thats such a terrific jesture to your friend, ill be glad to give some kind words to mr kaiser

 

Thank you Gents, I greatly appreciate this ;-)) First, let me have it set up with whomever can do the printout for me and then lets start the thread for his Birthday greetings. He will get a great kick out of it for sure ;-))

Which of you Gents would care to do teh printout and mailing for me? Let me know and ill check back here tomorrow and then once that is established-we can start the Birthday greetings thread for him. Also, I have taken it upon myself in advance of asking for some of you to help me out-that I have some items being made especially for him which includes two original photos I have that are to do with U 181. One item I just got confirmed on just last night that will be in my hands in approx 10 days, is a ceramic mug that will have a U 181 photo on it and will be a Tiled design-meaning that the same photo will be used on the mug-but some will overlap the others and some will be non-overlapping. I decided on that style-which is a little more expensive but-the expense doesn't bother me as I know he will love using the cup. He is a big fan of Teas and such and I THINK he is righthanded? but can't remember? so that was another reason why I chose the "Tiling" photo effects for the mug-because it will allow a person either-handed-to drink from it while seing an undisturbed photo on the mug.

Anotehr item I am having made for him is a Mouse pad. He loves getting on the internet. This Mouse pad will have the last photo taken of his first Commanding Officer-Wolfgang Luth-on board U 181. This is a great photo which I own the one and only original of-and shows Luth in Tropical uniform-dark blue overseas cap-sporting a big smile, long bear, and many Tonnage Pennants from the 181s mast. ;-))

I've already sent him a large musical card with greetings included. Also, after I get these items in and sent to him, I wanted to give some of the credit for these things to you Gents here. I am also sending a third item to him which is a photo of him recieving his DKiG from Kapitan zur See Wilhelm Dommes. This photo is laser-sketched onto a large piece Chrystal. All told for these things, will run about $80--and I wish I could afford more ;-))

Anyway, if one or more of you Gents can please let me know who can do the printing and mailing for me, please do so and ill get you his address and also start his Birthday Greeting thread.

Thanks again and I owe you Gents a lot. Knowing you guys, I KNOW your wishes will be sincere.

Take care-deeply in debted to you--Carl.

 

here to carl,ray..

 

Thank you Ray, it's quite appreciated ;-))

 

What a great idea, Carl. I bet he'll get a huge kick out of this!

 

Hi Luke, thank you and I do think he would greatly enjoy this. I did this about 5 years ago with anotehr Vet, and thanks to that, that Vet sent me an item of his that he carried through the war and something that he greatly always cherished-which was a sor tof "lucky coin" that he had in his pocket when he met the lady who eventually became his Wife of some 60 years. He had kept that lucky coin with him on all of his dates with the gal and also had it with him when he proposed to the gal that did become his wife. I still have that coin which is a 5 Pfennig Coin made in 1939 ;-))

Anyway, I am greatful for you Gents responding to this and I know that Karl will be extremely happy to recieve kind words from people who care ;-))

When I get up in the morning, im going to see who I can get to print and mail this stuff for me and who I can reimburse for this help, and then will start the thread for Karls Birthday Greetings. ;-))

Thanks Gents, and ill "see" you tomorrow-providing my computer or the internet-doesn't have a meltdown.

 

Sign me up too! Glad to help out.

 

Hi A/ your more than welcome to join and, I was able to start that thread late last night ;-))

 

Thank you Jeff, I knew I could count on your nice wishes to him as well ;-))

 

Some great news as of this afternoon. I was afraid that I couldn't get his gifts out on time but, I was called by the place I ordered them from and they called me this afternoon saying they were already here and waiting to be picked up. Looks great that these will arrive in time as well as the Greetings you Gents are kindly offering ;-)) I intend these to be seperate arrivals too ;-))