Memorializing the 110th Quartermaster Regiment, 35th Quartermaster Division, Memorial Day 2012
Courtesy of Marvin Cain’s Family
I know that Memorial Day is a day reserved to honor those who have fallen in action and I certainly do, but this year I also have more to memorialize because of my father World War II legacy, I have faces and names to honor, I have this picture that was taken of them sometime in the 1940’s. We are not sure when or where it was taken though. Those who are following my blog you know that I am working on my father’s World War II letters. I have been wondering how I can honor the 110th35th Quartermaster this weekend. They did not die in the war but they served and survived it. I have found 36 memorials on Find a Grave, for men my father served with. And have created a Virtual Cemetery in honor of these men.
I just finished going to each memorial page and l have left a graphic and a note on each of their graves. I have found quite a few families of the men my father served with leaving notes on their memorial pages on Find a Grave. It has been amazing. I feel like I have honored quite a few men this Memorial Day and it is even more special having my father a part of that! I have a whole new respect for his service.
(Click here to visit 110th35th Quartermaster Virtual Graveyard on Find a Grave)
Color Guard of the 110th 35th QM 1940’s-Dad on left
(If you are interesting in reading Dad’s story you can click here! to start at chapter 1)
notsofancynancy 
Nancy,
You know that I am a purist when it comes to Memorial Day but I really like your focus. I believe that we are losing so many of our “Heroes” so quickly and the time to honor them is slipping away all too quickly. Your work on the letters will be a long lasting tribute to the people who gave so much for the world. Thanks for your determination and never give up. It took ten years to finish my Dad’s tribute and I will be looking at a revision coming up soon. God Bless you, God Bless the 110th 35th and God Bless your Dad.
Bob
By: mstrmac711 on May 26, 2012
at 3:04 pm
You brought a tear to my eye. I am trying everything I can to keep my fathers memories alive. What a gift I have been given. And what a hard job it is. The task is daunting some days. I am working on Dad’s 1943 letters and he wrote 18 just in August. How does one decide what to include? So your message to continue was much needed today. Will you share your fathers book? I am excited to read it!
By: notsofancynancy on May 26, 2012
at 3:19 pm
It is very high on my list. Earlier this year I lost my original file. Not a problem though. Debbie and are I are committed to recreating it (we have a few original copies, all the letters and much of the orginal material safely stored away.
You will get the first copy of the revised new one.
By: mstrmac711 on May 26, 2012
at 9:57 pm
Awesome! I can’t wait!
By: notsofancynancy on May 26, 2012
at 10:59 pm
You could “adopt” them and make some kind of banner to fly over memorial day. You might be able to hunt down a replica of their unit colors, and fly them as well. Although, I would say that you do them great honor by telling your grandfather’s story, and reminding people of their efforts. You should also let the Quartermaster Association know what you are doing, as I am certain that they would have great interest in the preservation of these memories.
You are so fortunate to have anything to remember your grandfather by. My grandfather served in WWII and Korea, and yet all I have is his wool field jacket, and a couple of photos. He was so proud of my service, but rarely talked about his, despite my efforts.
I have been reading your grandfather’s story, but I get a bit emotional because I start missing my grandfather and wishing that I had pushed him to talk about it, when he was still alive.
Have a great weekend.
By: DejahThoris on May 26, 2012
at 5:29 pm
What a great idea! I went to the Quartermaster Association and signed their guestbook and let a note in case anyone want to join me on my journey.
My father was also very proud of his service. But he did not talk much about the war either, that is why the letters are so interesting. It is pretty much all new to me. I do not think you could have pushed your grandfather to talk about it, it was the way they were. Their generation did not look at there selves as the hero’s, as I see them. As my father would say they did what they had to do.
God bless you grandfather for serving. and thank you for you kind comment. What your grandfather did not talk about my father wrote in letters. I hope you will come back and read more when you are able.
By: notsofancynancy on May 26, 2012
at 6:53 pm
Thanks for stopping by today. I will be back to read more as this journey you are on intrigues me. My father served as a Navy doctor in the Pacific during WWII and while they were leap-frogging towards Japan. He also served with the Manhattan Project from 1/45 to 1951, as a Radiological Safety Officer at Operations Crossroads and Greenhouse. I have done a lot of tracing through history to learn more about my Daddy as he died at age 46 from pancreatic cancer, probably due to exposure to radiation.
Thanks, Nancy, for caring enough to want to know and to preserve a little portion of history for others.
I hope your weekend is a blessed one, ~ linda
By: beingwovenzephaniah317 on May 26, 2012
at 6:42 pm
Here’s to your dad and everyone else who served!
By: Madame Weebles on May 26, 2012
at 6:46 pm
Thank you so much Madame! It really means a lot that you took the time to read about them! God Bless
By: notsofancynancy on May 26, 2012
at 8:46 pm
Fantastic effort and I’m sure one that would touch the families of these men if they found your page. You’re doing a great job with your father’s letters and we can all learn from his story.
By: FacetsofLucy on May 26, 2012
at 8:10 pm
Thank you I feel I am doing this for the families. God bless all the soldiers who have moved on! It is because of comments like your I continue on this journey! And I hope we all learn something!
By: notsofancynancy on May 26, 2012
at 8:50 pm
You have been given a daunting task, dear friend but you are doing it with so much love and dedication! You should be very proud of all your hard work and devotion! The rewards being all the people that you have reached with a piece of their life story also, intertwined with yours! I want to take this time to say thank you to all of those who have served and are serving our country for the freedoms that we enjoy today! God bless you and God bless America! ❤
By: Linda on May 27, 2012
at 12:39 pm
Thank you sweet Linda! Yes it is daunting and it is hard to read the letters. I have been working on the 1943 letters and there are 18 in just August. It is hard to just take bits and pieces out of them. It is hard to choose which pieces I should share and which pieces should be left out. It is with everyone’s support I will tackle them. God Bless
By: notsofancynancy on May 27, 2012
at 1:30 pm
This is a wonderful project. I will read your post to my Dad and let you know his response. You are very ambitious. Obviously – committed. Thank-you.
By: billduff on May 27, 2012
at 12:57 pm
It would mean so much to me for your Dad to hear our story and am anxious to hear his response, thank you and thanks to him for serving. I have been following his tales also. You have some great stories to hand down. God Bless
By: notsofancynancy on May 27, 2012
at 1:21 pm
What a truly interesting and heart-warming blog about your father and his service to our country. I also want to thank you for informing me about “Find a Grave.”
Take care, Nancy,
Judy & Tuck the Law Dog
By: Tuck The Law Dog on May 28, 2012
at 3:16 am
Thank you so much! When the going gets tough it is compliments like that which keep me going.
I have gotten so far with the help of Find a Grave. Most of my family is back in Kansas and Nebraska and it is nice to have a place to go to honor them.
God Bless
By: notsofancynancy on May 28, 2012
at 3:24 am
Now THIS is a project. Whoa. A civilian salute goes out to you and this blog tomorrow and ever more!
By: Spurlin Family on May 28, 2012
at 4:09 am
I went to the link you provided and that is really touching! How amazing that you’d go to so much effort…but it all fits with the passion you feel for memorializing your dad and the sacrifices he made! I’m certainly engrossed in paying attention to these WWII vets. We are losing them, and their story, at alarming rates. I am so glad you are so invested in this wonderful project of your father’s letters! I’ll think of him, too, tomorrow…I, too, know that Memorial Day has a different meaning, but I can’t help but pay respect to all our military. That should be an every day occurrence anyway! Debra
By: Three Well Beings on May 28, 2012
at 4:41 am
Yes at 1,000 passing away a day there cannot be that many left. That is why I feel it is important to get Dad’s memories written. I am truly blessed I have these letters. Thanks for your kind words.
By: notsofancynancy on May 28, 2012
at 3:28 pm