Hello, Explanation: I purchased from ebay several copies of the Beecher Bugle, since Henry Ward Beecher was the founding pastor of my church. But it turned out to be a daily newsletter from the S.S. Henry Ward Beecher, from October 10 to October 17, 1945, as it brought U.S. troops home from Europe after fighting in World War II. It was not a Daily Bulletin; no official announcements. Just things like the movie schedule, the library and barber shop hours, the World Series scores, the fate of various Nazis (Quisling in this first issue). I'll post the soldiers' names and related data, one day at a time. The ship left from Antwerp and went to New York City. I want to donate these newsletters somewhere--any suggestions? ------------------------------------------------------- New Names: Notice from Transport Service Officer "The Transport Service Officer, Lt. Harder will be available at all times to answer questions regarding personal affairs." Such as the G.I Bill, income tax, VA, etc. "Interesting Character "Sgt. Gus Dodos of Terrance [sic] California who was with the 29th Infantry Division, recently married Miss Agnes M.L. Schergers of Eygelshoven, Limburg, Holland. They were married on 1st of August of this year in a Catholic church in Eygelshoven. Sgt Dodos met his wife during the time of the fighting that was going on near her home during the latter part of November 1944. The wedding date was set by the Army and, as a lot of other things, the marriage actually took place three months later. The army told Mrs. Dodos that she will be going to the States next year. Well, that is what the Army said anyhow." "I Thought the War Was Over" Apocryphal story about 3 of the ships' crew, using a ship's gun to hit a flea on a gull 8 miles away. The three Navy crew men were Gunners Mate Caleagno, S1 / C Troast and Signalman A'Hern. "Around the Deck "Incidental Intelligence...The first man the writer saw heaving it over the rail was Pfc Willie Gregory (The writer was heaving right next door to him)---" "Sketch: T / 5 Raymond Paris, was born in Paris, France and fought in the French Army in World War I. For the last 28 years he lived in New York where he volunteered for service in the US army in this War. He is 44 years old. Do you know any GI on board who is older? By the way Paris is working his way back to New York as a KP." The initial issue of the Beecher Bugle had a paragraph about porpoises, which "everybody watched yesterday." They are supposedly "a good omen when they play around a ship as they did around the SS Beecher yesterday." The paragraph said they were one of the fastest swimming denizens of the deep, so T / Sgt J.P.L. McManus suggested that they catch a couple of hundred and tie them to the boat to speed it up. It was "then explained that the only way to catch a porpoise is to take a double handful of taffy candy, tie it to a rope and toss it overboard. The Porpoise gets his teeth stuck in the damn stuff. Anyone wishing to catch Porpoises tomorrow see Capt Hamlin for a hunk of taffy and a strong rope." ----------------------------------------------------------- Edith (Lillie) Bartley edith.bartley@worldnet.att.net