TAPS

Lt Col Brian McNerney partners with WWII Veterans to from The Halbert and Red Circle Memorial Library at LSA (Logistical Support Area) Anaconda in Iraq.

When Bob Patton and Mickey Dorsey  met Lt. Col. Brian McNerney in Germany during the 65th Division's Anniversary Tour, they told him to let them know if there was anything they could do for the troops. In December 2005, when the Lt. Colonel realized there were only 50 books for the nearly 30,000 serving at LSA Anaconda, he called on his friends to help.

Patterned after an American library started by some G.I.'s in Passau, Germany after WWII, and named in honor of the 65th and 71st Divisions, THE HALBERT AND RED CIRCLE MEMORIAL LIBRARY now offers the troops a wealth of reading materials.

Articles about THE HALBERT AND RED CIRCLE MEMORIAL LIBRARY:

L.A. Times          WRAL          American Libraries           3rd COSCOM          Dawn.co

65th Infantry Division monument in Medal of Honor Grove, Valley Forge PA

The grove is the location of the records of all those who have been awarded The Congressional Medal of Honor, which includes our own PFC Frederick C. Murphy.

Dedicated August 24, 2001

Freedom's Foundation, Valley Forge PA

Col. Tim Ringgold spoke at the dedication

Mauthausen plaque

This was the location of an Allied Prisoner of War Camp. At the time of liberation it is estimated there were 500 Slovaks, 66 British, 4 Americans, 200 French, 500 Russians, 300 Poles, and Yugoslavs being kept POWs here. The location is now a part of Ansfelden near Linz.

The bronze liberation plaque, 18" x 14", was dedicated in a beautiful ceremony in an auditorium near the camp location. Over 300 people were in attendance for the formal and impressive ceremony. Both the local city chorus and band, in celebration of the occasion, provided musical entertainment. In addition to the Mayor Manfred Baumberger, the Governor of Upper Austria. Joseph Puhringer, PhD, addressed the group.

Photo 1: Presentation by Robert Patton on May 9, 2011, of the 65th Infantry Division recognition plaque for the Haid Allied PW Camp liberation to the Mayor of Ansfelden, Manfred Baumberger. The main address for the occasion was provided by the Governor of Upper Austria, Joseph Puhringer, PhD.

Photo 2: Over 300 people attended the presentation of the 65th Infantry Division recognition plaque for the liberation of the Allied PW Camp located in Haid (Ainsfelden), Austria. Joseph Puhringer, PhD., Governor of Upper Austria, is holding one of the 65th Division books presented to him, "Right to be Proud."

Bronze plaque recognizing the liberation of the Hersbruck Concentration Camp by the 65th Infantry Division to be installed as part of a Memorial Pavilion honoring those who lost their lives there. This liberation was accomplished on April 20-21, 1945, by several members of K Company, 261st Infantry Regiment. 

 At the time of the Kirchham Camp liberation there were about 2000 German, 1500 Russian and 7500 Hungarian prisoners. Lt. Frank Hamburger's platoon with only 63 men of Company C, 260th Reg., were responsible for guarding this large group of armed Hungarians. This was also the location of a military airport near Pocking, Germany.

The bronze, outdoor, 16" x 12" liberation plaque was dedicated on May 6, 2011, on the location where many deceased children, borne of inmates, area also buried. The area also hosts other significant memorials and monuments, Roy Heatherly and Robert Patton presented a beautiful blue and white floral arrangement in the shape of a Halbert for the ceremony in which Anton Freudenstein, the Mayor of Kirchham participated. Helmut Kepler, the mayor of Pocking, gave the welcome address, followed by appropriate remarks made by Brig. Gen. Stanley Reinhart, Jr whose father commanded the 65th Division.

Lena Altweger played the flute, providing the music that accompanied the ceremony. An inmate at Kirchham, Lena's grandfather had pointed out a safe way for the 65th to get into Furstenzell.