The Stories of Edward J. Geiser

I.C.S. #13: Star Bangled Banner for the Last Time
When Eddie returned back to the States at New York Harbor on a troop transport, all of the men were taken to a large hall-like armory. On the stage was a large American flag. The men were brought to attention and the commander told the men that they will hear the National Anthem for the last time as members of the U.S. armed forces and as soldiers in the U.S. Army. As the band played the anthem, a large fan blew the flag and not one eye was dry among those men.

 

Food was and had been in short supplly in Germany for some time before the allies took control. There was no clear indication (at least to most I would think) when and how much the allies would make available. It's not surprising that people would be reluctant to give food to strangers when their own family and friends would likely need it.

 

I.C.S. #14: Reunions

When asked why his outfit never has had a reunion since the war the following answer was given: "Almostall of the men from my original outfit were killed. There is no one to have a reunion with."

 

Epilogue
Because of his military service during the war, Mr. Geiser has always dedicated his life to service. After the war Mr. Geiser became a police officer, after which he became auditor of his city which he served as for 36 years. After his retirement he continued to volunteer for the city. Mr. Geiser would marry Edna later on and was married to her her for 49 years before she passed away. He had four children in his marriage and he he has 10 grandchildren.

Everyday he attends mass and continues to pray for the men he served with who were killed in action and prays that his sons and grandsons would never have to go through what he went through during the war.

Mr. Geiser has lived a full and dedicated life. Now at the age of 95, and his life starting to draw to a close, he will be able to live his last days knowing that his story will live on.

Poet Phillip Freneau wrote: "But fame is theirs-and future days on pillar'd brass shall tell their praise; shall tell when cold neglect is dead- These for their country fought and bled."

 

I want to point out one error I made (I apologize ) but Mr. Geiser was born on 'July 1' not June 1. Sorry about that mistake

 

I realized on post #3 in this thread I included a link about the 17th SS Panzer Division, and that the link that I gave is not working. I found some better working links to info about the 17th SS Panzer Division

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_SS_Panzergrenadier_Division_Götz_von_Berlichingen
http://www.axishistory.com/axis-nations/119-germany-waffen-ss/germany-waffen-ss-divisions/1302-17-ss-panzergrenadier-division-goetz-von-berlichingen