CHECKERBOARD

World War II vet returns to the scene of the Battle of the Bulge

Signal Company newspaper lives short life

I read with interest in the first issue, the article about the early history of the two 99th Division publications, the Checkerboard and the Maxey Times. You may be interested in a third “newspaper,” the Live Wire, that began publication in mid-May 1945, when the 99th Signal Company was stationed at Kitzingen am Main, Germany. It lived a relatively short life – only eight issues were published. This was because when the war in Europe ended, the 99th was scheduled for deactivation and all low-point men were transferred out and high-point men were transferred in. By mid-July, the 99th Signal ceased to function as a unit. With the audience gone, the paper went out of existence.

History round table schedule is announced

The 2009-10 calendar of events for the Dr. Harold C. Deutsch World War II History Round Table has been announced. All programs are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted, and take place at the Fort Snelling History Center, 2nd Tower Ave., St. Paul MN.

Remagen Bridge Society ends 25-year existence

Twenty-five years ago Ted Frison of E/395 got the bright idea of having an annual reunion of 99ers in the Denver CO, area. These 99ers told friends who also were WWII vets about our luncheon and eventually the 99ers were in the minority. Each guy got up and told an unbelievable story about his combat experience, all true. What is important is that we are probably the only organization of 99ers attending in some cases for 25 years.

Battlefield tour 2009

B.O. Wilkins, K/393, was one of five 99th veterans, family members and friends who went on a battlefield tour to Normandy and the Ardennes in June. Wilkins sent an extensive photo collection of the tour to the Checkerboard. He has been a longtime contributor to the division newspaper and his photos deserve to be shared with all readers. The tour was under the direction of Eddie Polk of Battlefield Tours, Slidell LA. It began June 4 with a flight to Paris. The group observed D-Day in Normandy, then moved on to the Ardennes portion of the trip.

Officers

Former Presidents

TAPS

John Rarick, 85, C/393, St. Francisville LA, died Sept. 14, 2009. He was a former U.S. congressman for the 6th District of Louisiana and 20th Judicial District judge for East and West Feliciana parishes. Captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals. He was a graduate of Louisiana State University and Tulane University where he received his law degree and served as a member of the state bar association for more than 60 years. He was a state district judge from 1961-1966. In 1967, he became the U.S. representative for the 6th District of Louisiana, serving four terms through 1975. In 1980, he was nominated and ran for president of the United States as the American Independent Party candidate. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite Pierce Rarick, and a grandson. Survivors include his wife, Frances; three children, John Rarick II, Cherie Brumfield and Laurie Slattery; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He also is survived by four stepchildren, Scott, Don and Dave Campbell and Lori Teufert; and a step-grandchild. Peter J. Lombardo, 84, D/395, Norwalk CT, died July 30, 2009. During World War II, he served in the 1st Infantry Division in North Africa, 36th Infantry Division in Italy and the 99th Infantry Division in France. He was wounded four times, the first Feb. 20, 1943, the second Jan. 21, 1944, in Italy, the third in August 1944, in Normandy, France, and the last time in Belgium at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded three Purple Hearts and four Bronze Stars. He also received one Silver Star for rescuing two American soldiers. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Survivors include his wife, Theresa; four children; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

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