Last week I talked to Ray "Ike" Eisenhauer and he told me the sad news not only of Barney Armbruster but that Captain Joe Crilley died. So in a week, two members of the 326th AEB, and people I considered as friends had passed on. Joe would have turned 89 next month but cancer told him rather quickly. I just got off the phone with his wife Sue and had a nice long talk. I had so much fun being with these veterans at two reunions. They treated me like a son and they were full of life-why not they went thru so much. Joe was no only a great American for what he did during the war but a great artist and thinker. I was so glad I met these people. Thank Joe for saving our country and thank you for being a friend. We all that knew you, miss you! |