Thank you very much, Gloria---I've passed your mail on to Melodie THURSTON, his daughter. Good ideas and comments. Evan Thanks. -----Original Message----- From: Gloria Daum <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, September 14, 1999 3:16 AM Subject: Re: [VTCALEDO] THURSTON surname >We also have the census records which would have him listed. > >My husband was in the 101st Airborne, training at Fort Benning, GA., during >WW2. His place of battle was in Holland and Belgium, during the "Battle of >the Bulge". Your Gerry Thurston must have been very young, as my husband >born 1919 was young and he was older than your boy. I understand the >Paratroopers were among the most gallant and brave men in our service. My >husband was wounded once, and then went back again after recovery, and was >dreadfully wounded again.......at which point he was not useful to fight. I >don't know about your person, but my husband had no "Psychological therapy" >whatsoever, after returning, and the impact of the war experiences has had >some devistating effects upon him and his life. The same may have been >true for yours. Whatever his kids might think, he was a good man, among >the BEST. The Veterans Administration may be able to help also, in that >they may have some history on him. Good Luck, Sincerely, Gloria Daum > >---------- >> From: Joyce Bard <[email protected]> >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: [VTCALEDO] THURSTON surname >> Date: Friday, February 13, 1998 8:46 PM >> >> >> >> Evan R. Strohl wrote: >> >> > Dear List, >> > I notice more traffic on this line in the last few weeks. >> > >> > If I can, I'd like to post my request once again. >> > >> > I'm looking for someone who might know the person or surname >> > of Gerald E. THURSTON, of Hardwick, Vermont. >> > He was born in 1924 (stories are conflicting as to where) >> > but spent his childhood and adolescent years in Hardwick, >> > living with either his parents or his grandparents. >> > They eventually sent him to a military school for a few years. >> > (Is there a military school around this part of the county?) >> > One night, in the middle of the night, all the students were >> > rousted out, told they had 1 hour to get their duffle bags packed, >> > they were going to fight the war (WWII). Gerry was sent to Ft. >> > Benning, in 1941, as soon as he finished a short boot camp, and >> > he told me he became one of our county's FIRST paratroopers. >> > He made his first jump over Italy, I think, and was shot almost >> > immediately, sent to England to recouperate, then sent back >> > to the front, where his patrol was wiped out, except for >> > 3 men, who were all captured and were sent to one POW camp >> > after another, tortured, and used as guinea pigs. The Russians >> > were the first to free him in 1945, and he spent time in Tampa >> > Florida. He and his wife, Carita, raised 9 kids, and Gerry became >> > a Fire Captain around Zephyrhills, (Tampa) the 60's. >> > >> > The rest of the story is too sad, and in 1998, he died in >> > Pensacola, FL, leaving a sad split with most of his 9 kids. >> > One brave daughter is trying to "re-discover" her Dad, learning >> > genealogy the hard way. >> > He had once told me that his kids wanted nothing to do with him! >> > Actually, it seems that HE just didnt want the kids worrying about >> > HIM! >> > >> > Now, here we are in Florida some 55 years later, and I meet Gerry >> > about 1982 or so---and he told me this story, above. >> > >> > Daughter Melanie wants desperately to "know more about her Dad >> > and his family." All we remember is Hardwick was his home, and >> > either his parents or grandparents raised him, until they put him in >> > the military school, and he went off to war! >> > >> > Anyone have any ideas?? I know, I know, it would help if we came >> > up there. I'm her Dad's brief friend, in Pensacola, and she lives >> > another >> > 500 miles away in Tampa---travel for her right now is impossible. >> > We have written for Social Scty application---guess we should try for >> > his military record. >> > >> > Thanks, if you have any ideas! He may have been born in Germany! >> > Evan R. STROHL >> >> What about seeing if you can find school records from his early days in >> VT, before being sent to the military school. Maybe in with those will >> be some more hints as to where he was originally from. You could also >> check into churches in the area to see if they have records of this >> family. Have you done an online phone search for this surname in VT to >> see if there is anyone still there with the name who may be related? >> Hope these help to get you going! >> >> Joyce in MA >