From Ted Aanenson: For those of you who didn't know Les, he was one of the museum's stalwart volunteers (he worked first Sundays). He was also a member of the 636th Tank Destroyer Battalion, which was attached to the 36th Infantry Division for most of WWII. Les was also one of the patrol that accepted the surrender of Hermann Goering in Austria at the end of WWII. Some of Les' photos of this event can be found in Attached Units Room of the 36th Gallery. Les was a true gentleman and a good friend. We'll miss him.
Message forwarded via Ted from Dwight D. Daniel:
It is with great sadness
that I have to inform you that Les passed on today at 4:30 in the morning. Today, we lost an officer and a gentleman in the truest meaning of the phrase; a
soldier who made the "Greatest Generation" great.
His family was with him at
the final moments and many are with his wife now.
I will send the funeral arrangements when I learn of them.
Please pray for Les and his wife.
You can also have full faith that Les is doing the ultimate recon for us, easing the way for us all.
GOD watched in sadness at the carnage and devastation in Europe and quickly realized that they would need help.
He looked down on Texas, at the 36th Infantry Division, and decided they would be first among his champions. He prepared a great Banner to fly in Heaven in
their honor. He chose the fabric from Texas and then wove in material from all the remaining states, for he knew as the Texans fell, men from many places would
replace them; and he wanted those men to feel, as one, a kindred spirit. He then took his Banner and seasoned it in the heat of Africa, the rains of Italy and
the cold of France and Germany. He tempered it in the fire of ongoing battles and when it was finished it was unfurled and flew proudly in Heaven.
GOD then took pieces of the Banner and placed them in the heart and soul of every T Patcher so it would be a part of every warrior and though they would be
vastly different in all regards they would still be as one bound together by his Banner. Eventually. GODs Banner was all gone and so GOD waited as the
conflagration and sacrifices began and small pieces of the Banner began returning and as each T Patcher left this veil of tears he brought his piece of Banner
back. Now that magnificent Banner is almost complete and ready to fly.
One day soon in the not too distant future, the Banner will be unfurled again and flying in all its splendor over the reunited ranks of the chosen men of the
36th Infantry Division who have rejoined their friends, family and comrades, and GOD will smile.
THE BANNER
Copyright:
MURDOCH (MICKEY) HERTZOG
COMPANY G, 143rd INFANTRY
Reprinted by permission
