MY FIRST V. B. 0. B. CONVENTION - GETTYSBURG PENNSYLVANIA

It was great! It was emotional! It made me proud to be a member of this great organization. I had no idea of what to expect since this was also my first veteran's convention. The minute I registered I know I was going to enjoy myself, I saw familiar faces from the Delaware Valley Chapter as well as veterans from many distant states. Our nametags told the story; the outfit we were with during the Bulge as well as the place where we live. There was no need of introductions, because the badges did that for us. When I recognized the name of a division that served with or near the 2nd Infantry Division, I realized we both had something in common and started talking as if we were old friends. The ease in which we mingled set the atmosphere for the entire convention.

Every function we attended had a military theme and I marveled at the thought and planning behind the schedule. The convention committee is to be congratulated for a wonderful event. On Tuesday we visited General Eisenhower's Farm, and saw where he lived after leaving the White House. The National Park Service guide was most informative and narrated many incidents and happenings that took place here. We toured the house; observed the many pictures and paintings as well as the furnishings. I hastened to the bookstore to view the collection of volumes and purchased a few for later reading.

Wednesday was outstanding! The busses took us to the Army War College at the Carlisle Barracks for the Dedication of the Battle of the Bulge Monument. The day was beautiful; numerous flags were assembled as a backdrop for the ceremony and hundreds of chairs were aligned in front of the monument. When I got off the bus I knew this was going to be a memorable event. TV reporters and cameramen were everywhere as well as newspaper reporters and photographers. Many military personnel were in attendance. Oh how proud I was to be one of the honored guests. Our president, Stanley Wojtusik gave a great speech as well as the other dignitaries on the program. We were commended for our courage and endurance in repelling the enemy in appalling weather conditions and reminded that the Battle of the Bulge will always remain in the forefront of the annals of American Military History.

After lunch I went on a tour of the U. S. Army Military History Institute. The Institute is the Army's central repository for historical materials with the mission to collect, preserve, and make available to researchers source materials on American military history. Having been told of its mission before I went to the convention, I duplicated the two books sent to me after the war, the history of my outfit. The 462nd Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion and the history of the outfit we protected during the war, the 12th Field Artillery Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Division. I gave these two volumes to the officer in charge and told him to include these books with their World War II collection.

On Thursday the delegates went on a tour of the Civil War Battle Fields at Gettysburg, unfortunately I developed a cold and felt it was better that I nurse the ailment and be in shape for the Banquet that evening. I consoled myself knowing that I previously had visited the sights some years ago.

Another highlight of the convention was meeting with John Toland, historian and author of many books on the Second World War. He was most interesting to talk to and gladly answered my questions. I had read many of his publications and had seen him interviewed on CSPAN the previous Sunday evening. John has a new book published, I purchased a copy and asked him to sign the edition as well as another of his books I purchased years ago.

The camaraderie, the memories, the renewed patriotism are the fruits of attending this convention. I mingled with veterans of my era; we talked about events that only we understood. We all had our own 'war stories' to tell and as I listened I reminisced about my own involvement in the greatest event of my young manhood.

By Frank P. Young 462 AAA Btn. 2nd Infantry Div.

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