"Bop" and Landon in their matching Longhorns shirts that Aunt Becca got them in Texas
Me and my friend Katelyn on the drive to SF
Katelyn and I after eating Glades in our cowgirl get-ups
Katelyn and I at the Rodeo.
Miss Erika Lynn and I at the rodeo
Friday, July 25, 2008
Rodeo Time
Well this week we obviously celebrated the 24th of July. In my family, the 24th has always been a BIG deal because all of our cousins would always come into town. we would typically meet up with Allen's family up at Lagoon on the 23rd or so and play up there with them. On the 24th we all went to Grandma Roach's house. We would walk over to the Parade in Spanish Fork, go to the carnival, eat lunch, play games at her house, and just have fun as a family. The best part of the day, however, was the rodeo. This year we went on the 23rd (so not as fun as the 24th) but it was a blast all the same!
"Bop" and Landon in their matching Longhorns shirts that Aunt Becca got them in Texas
Me and my friend Katelyn on the drive to SF
Katelyn and I after eating Glades in our cowgirl get-ups
Katelyn and I at the Rodeo.
Miss Erika Lynn and I at the rodeo
"Bop" and Landon in their matching Longhorns shirts that Aunt Becca got them in Texas
Me and my friend Katelyn on the drive to SF
Katelyn and I after eating Glades in our cowgirl get-ups
Katelyn and I at the Rodeo.
Miss Erika Lynn and I at the rodeo
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Scanned Letters
Today I spent all day trying to get Grandpa's letters scanned in and photoshopped. It has been a HUGE project! I will keep you all updated on the progress!
Today I literally sat on my mom's living room floor, reading his letters as I scanned them, with tears streaming down my cheeks. What an incredible person he is! He was so loving and so kind! You cousins will appreciate this- in nearly every letter (all but one I believe) he asked about Grandma. He said many times how he has the most amazing wife and how he is the luckiest man alive. I will attach one of my favorite letters. This one talks about how Uncle Dale loves the farm and Grandpa says he'll have to live on a farm the rest of his life with how much "Dale likes the stock." At the end of page 1 it also is really cute- Grandpa is saying what an amazing wife he has. He is just such a sweet man!
Written: August 31, 1944 He was in Italy.
Today I literally sat on my mom's living room floor, reading his letters as I scanned them, with tears streaming down my cheeks. What an incredible person he is! He was so loving and so kind! You cousins will appreciate this- in nearly every letter (all but one I believe) he asked about Grandma. He said many times how he has the most amazing wife and how he is the luckiest man alive. I will attach one of my favorite letters. This one talks about how Uncle Dale loves the farm and Grandpa says he'll have to live on a farm the rest of his life with how much "Dale likes the stock." At the end of page 1 it also is really cute- Grandpa is saying what an amazing wife he has. He is just such a sweet man!
Written: August 31, 1944 He was in Italy.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
ww2soldier Blog
Once again, another post about the Lost Battalion. I am shocked at the interest all of the cousins have had in learning more about Grandpa and what he went through. I really feel as though all of us are being touched by the spirit of Elijah and that we all need to learn as much as we can about this man. I can tell you that in the past week my respect for Grandpa has skyrocketed. I am beginning to see a glimpse into who this man is, and how great it will be to understand him more and more.
Curt Huff, Cilla's son, has set up a blog that I recently found. It is http://ww2soldier.blogspot.com/ Curt has posted some of Grandpa's letters that you can zoom in on and read. His handwriting is a bit sloppy, but it is so great to be able to read his stories and see how much he was worried about Grandma back here in the states. Also, he has posted a few pictures of Grandpa as well. So if any of you are interested, check it out!
Curt Huff, Cilla's son, has set up a blog that I recently found. It is http://ww2soldier.blogspot.com/ Curt has posted some of Grandpa's letters that you can zoom in on and read. His handwriting is a bit sloppy, but it is so great to be able to read his stories and see how much he was worried about Grandma back here in the states. Also, he has posted a few pictures of Grandpa as well. So if any of you are interested, check it out!
A View of The Lost Battalion.
This is from a website I found yesterday that tells the story of the 141st infantry from the beginning til the end of the war. Here are a few excerpts from the site that I thought you'd all enjoy. It tells the story of the Lost Battalion from the viewpoint of actually being trapped behind enemy lines. It was put together by a group of brilliant historians at the Texas Armed Forces Museum.
"According to the operational maps, progress was unbearably slow during our first few weeks in the Vosges. Yet our tired, blistering feet and aching backs told us another story. For every precious mile that we advanced, countless miles were hiked on foot up and down the circuitous mountain trails. They were wearisome marches with heavy equipment through the dense forests and crag-covered mountains. Even when the enemy was not immediately to our front, there were always the Schu mines and the tree bursts. Casualties mounted.
Platoon Sergeants and Squad Leaders appeared to be marked men and Privates rose to Sergeants almost overnight as they filled their places. The group of replacements that had come to us at Remiremont disappeared rapidly and our resources became low. We were weary and tired. Morale was ebbing. One topic hung on our lips: "When are we going to get a rest?" was the question in everyone's mind. Latrine rumor visited every foxhole and helped to sustain our morale with its optimistic reports on our long awaited relief. We carried mental calendars around with us and marked off our consecutive days of combat since the Riviera landings: 65, 66, 67 … wouldn't be long now. Still we fought on. Rumors persisted, but the relief never came.
Then on October 23rd we went into the Forêt Domaniale De Champ. The 1st Battalion went forward to take the high ridge and ground overlooking La Houssiere. Late that afternoon a strong enemy force worked its way in between the rifle companies and the battalion command post. That night a coded message from one of the rifle companies was radioed into Regimental Headquarters: "No rations, no water, no communications with Headquarters (battalion) ... four litter cases.,"
Up on top of the thickly wooded hill above La Houssiere 275 men were spread out in an area 300 to 350 yards, preparing positions. No one was making any noise. "We were quiet," a Red Battalion Squad Leader recounted afterwards "because the Germans were all around us. We were quiet because we were a 'Lost Battalion', and we didn't want Jerry (Germans) to know it."
"We pooled our rations," recounted an Able Company rifleman. "We collected everything from Coleman stoves to chewing gum. But our supplies didn't last long. Water soon became even more scarce than food. Fortunately we discovered a small pond near our area, but we couldn't get to it whenever we wanted to. You see, Jerry was using the same water hole." For some of us on the surrounded hill the days dragged and the nights never seemed to end.
We dug our holes a little deeper and tried to improve our circular defense. Patrols were sent out to fight their way back to the rear; several never returned, none got through. Only one solitary workable radio remained in our possession. It was coddled and babied like a child, for it was our only unruptured communication artery. Coded messages were continually sent emphasizing the desperateness of our situation. Word was radioed back that help was on its way. We wondered when — or if — it would arrive.
In the meantime the men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, together with those of us in the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, had still been trying to break through to our besieged comrades. On the afternoon of the sixth day (October 30th) a 1st Battalion rifleman on outpost saw a figure approaching through the trees. Fearing it might be a Jerry, the rifleman remained in place and strained his eyes to obtain a better view. Then like a crazed person he ran down the hill laughing, crying and yelling at the approaching figure. Pfc. Mutt Sakumoto was at a loss for words as the rifleman ran towards him and hugged him and shouted words of thankfulness. About all he could think of to say was: "Could you use a cigarette?"
We were mighty thankful to the brave little men of the 442nd Infantry. Many of us owed our lives to them."
I just thought you'd enjoy reading this from what, I perceive as being, Grandpa Bingham's viewpoint.
"According to the operational maps, progress was unbearably slow during our first few weeks in the Vosges. Yet our tired, blistering feet and aching backs told us another story. For every precious mile that we advanced, countless miles were hiked on foot up and down the circuitous mountain trails. They were wearisome marches with heavy equipment through the dense forests and crag-covered mountains. Even when the enemy was not immediately to our front, there were always the Schu mines and the tree bursts. Casualties mounted.
Platoon Sergeants and Squad Leaders appeared to be marked men and Privates rose to Sergeants almost overnight as they filled their places. The group of replacements that had come to us at Remiremont disappeared rapidly and our resources became low. We were weary and tired. Morale was ebbing. One topic hung on our lips: "When are we going to get a rest?" was the question in everyone's mind. Latrine rumor visited every foxhole and helped to sustain our morale with its optimistic reports on our long awaited relief. We carried mental calendars around with us and marked off our consecutive days of combat since the Riviera landings: 65, 66, 67 … wouldn't be long now. Still we fought on. Rumors persisted, but the relief never came.
Then on October 23rd we went into the Forêt Domaniale De Champ. The 1st Battalion went forward to take the high ridge and ground overlooking La Houssiere. Late that afternoon a strong enemy force worked its way in between the rifle companies and the battalion command post. That night a coded message from one of the rifle companies was radioed into Regimental Headquarters: "No rations, no water, no communications with Headquarters (battalion) ... four litter cases.,"
Up on top of the thickly wooded hill above La Houssiere 275 men were spread out in an area 300 to 350 yards, preparing positions. No one was making any noise. "We were quiet," a Red Battalion Squad Leader recounted afterwards "because the Germans were all around us. We were quiet because we were a 'Lost Battalion', and we didn't want Jerry (Germans) to know it."
"We pooled our rations," recounted an Able Company rifleman. "We collected everything from Coleman stoves to chewing gum. But our supplies didn't last long. Water soon became even more scarce than food. Fortunately we discovered a small pond near our area, but we couldn't get to it whenever we wanted to. You see, Jerry was using the same water hole." For some of us on the surrounded hill the days dragged and the nights never seemed to end.
We dug our holes a little deeper and tried to improve our circular defense. Patrols were sent out to fight their way back to the rear; several never returned, none got through. Only one solitary workable radio remained in our possession. It was coddled and babied like a child, for it was our only unruptured communication artery. Coded messages were continually sent emphasizing the desperateness of our situation. Word was radioed back that help was on its way. We wondered when — or if — it would arrive.
In the meantime the men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, together with those of us in the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, had still been trying to break through to our besieged comrades. On the afternoon of the sixth day (October 30th) a 1st Battalion rifleman on outpost saw a figure approaching through the trees. Fearing it might be a Jerry, the rifleman remained in place and strained his eyes to obtain a better view. Then like a crazed person he ran down the hill laughing, crying and yelling at the approaching figure. Pfc. Mutt Sakumoto was at a loss for words as the rifleman ran towards him and hugged him and shouted words of thankfulness. About all he could think of to say was: "Could you use a cigarette?"
We were mighty thankful to the brave little men of the 442nd Infantry. Many of us owed our lives to them."
I just thought you'd enjoy reading this from what, I perceive as being, Grandpa Bingham's viewpoint.
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Lone Star State
WARNING LONG POST- A BIT OF BINGHAM FAMILY HISTORY...
Preface: 45 years ago, when my mom was 4 years old, her "daddy" hadn't been feeling to well. He went to the doctor and never came home. While he was at the doctor's office, he suffered a major heart attack and died instantly. The day my Grandpa Bingham was buried, any talk of him was buried with him. Therefore, my mom has never known anything about her dad.
Grandpa served in the 141st Infantry in WWII, which for any of you who aren't familiar with the 141st infantry, they are known as "The Lost Battalion." They were caught behind enemy lines for 7 days in the Vosges Mountains in France. They were under attack daily from the German troops that surrounded them. Hundreds of men of the 442nd Infantry were killed trying to rescue the 141st. Two pilots were killed trying to drop supplies into the Lost Battalion.
This past Thursday, my mom went to lunch with her two sisters. While at lunch her oldest sister, Priscilla, mentioned that the 141st infantry (Grandpa's infantry) was being inducted into the Texas Armed Forces Hall of Fame the following day. My mom felt an instant urge to go to Austin, TX to attend this symposium and to learn about this vital section of her Dad's life.
Well, when my mom came home on Thursday from the lunch (at about 7 PM) she told me about the symposium. Seeing as that my mom has no memories of her dad, and hardly knows anything about him, I have no knowledge of my Grandpa. When I heard about the Symposium, I felt so strongly this urge to go and learn about him. Within a few hours, dad and I booked flights and hotels and got everything set to go to Austin. We flew out at 8 AM the next day.
At the Symposium, the Texas Armed Forces Museum was introducing new items that they were adding to their museum from the 141st infantry. Two of these items have had such an immense impact on my life. While the troops were trapped, the Allies were trying everything they could to get supplies into them.
Since it was November, in the Vosges Mountains, there was low visibility and therefore, flights were out of the question for the majority of the time. So they launched basically missiles that were filled with medical supplies and food and batteries. Unfortunately this method failed because the artillery would dig so deep into the ground that they couldn't dig it out.
So one day when the weather seemed to be a bit more clear, the air force deployed 12 pilots (after having 3 previously failed attempts) to drop belly tanks full of medical supplies, etc. to the Battalions. Well, two of these belly tanks actually made it to the troops and not into the hands of the Germans. These two tanks, rusted, battered and beaten, were discovered by two brilliant historians and archaeologists, and was transported to Austin to be placed in the Museum.
It was so moving to see these belly tanks and picture my grandpa being one of the men that was pulling out all of the supplies, the supplies that saved their lives.
At the symposium there were 4 speakers. 1: The author of the book "The Lost Battalions" it was very informative and full of historical background. 2: The Forward Artillery leader of the 141st Infrantry, A Company (My grandpa's infantry and company). His speech was all about what it was like to be behind enemy lines. His wife informed mom and I later that day that he hasn't talked about it, but when this symposium came up after 64 years, he pulled out all of his old war stuff and was able to talk about it. It was incredible to hear from somebody who was right there with my Grandpa. It was incredibly. 3: Arch Archilla, he was one of the pilots who dropped supplies in. It was so incredible to shake the hand of a man who helped to save grandpa's life. 4: A member of the 442nd Infantry who, until this weekend, never received credit for all they did because they were Japanese-Americans. Once again, it was so incredible to shake the hand of 4 different men who were on the ground at hand to hand combat fighting to save the lives of the men who were trapped.
I could truly go on for hours, but I won't! :) All in all, it was an incredible weekend! I cannot even describe how it feels to finally be able to get a glimpse into my Grandpa's life and to finally be able to understand what he went through and what an incredible man he is. It was a huge blessing to both mom and I to be able to go down there and I am so grateful. I am so grateful for all the service men/women both past a present who risk their lives daily to protect our freedoms. I am so grateful for those brave men of the 105th Fighter Squadron and the 442nd Infantry for risking their lives, hundreds of lives were lost, in order to rescue the men trapped behind enemy lines.
Preface: 45 years ago, when my mom was 4 years old, her "daddy" hadn't been feeling to well. He went to the doctor and never came home. While he was at the doctor's office, he suffered a major heart attack and died instantly. The day my Grandpa Bingham was buried, any talk of him was buried with him. Therefore, my mom has never known anything about her dad.
Grandpa served in the 141st Infantry in WWII, which for any of you who aren't familiar with the 141st infantry, they are known as "The Lost Battalion." They were caught behind enemy lines for 7 days in the Vosges Mountains in France. They were under attack daily from the German troops that surrounded them. Hundreds of men of the 442nd Infantry were killed trying to rescue the 141st. Two pilots were killed trying to drop supplies into the Lost Battalion.
This past Thursday, my mom went to lunch with her two sisters. While at lunch her oldest sister, Priscilla, mentioned that the 141st infantry (Grandpa's infantry) was being inducted into the Texas Armed Forces Hall of Fame the following day. My mom felt an instant urge to go to Austin, TX to attend this symposium and to learn about this vital section of her Dad's life.
Well, when my mom came home on Thursday from the lunch (at about 7 PM) she told me about the symposium. Seeing as that my mom has no memories of her dad, and hardly knows anything about him, I have no knowledge of my Grandpa. When I heard about the Symposium, I felt so strongly this urge to go and learn about him. Within a few hours, dad and I booked flights and hotels and got everything set to go to Austin. We flew out at 8 AM the next day.
At the Symposium, the Texas Armed Forces Museum was introducing new items that they were adding to their museum from the 141st infantry. Two of these items have had such an immense impact on my life. While the troops were trapped, the Allies were trying everything they could to get supplies into them.
Since it was November, in the Vosges Mountains, there was low visibility and therefore, flights were out of the question for the majority of the time. So they launched basically missiles that were filled with medical supplies and food and batteries. Unfortunately this method failed because the artillery would dig so deep into the ground that they couldn't dig it out.
So one day when the weather seemed to be a bit more clear, the air force deployed 12 pilots (after having 3 previously failed attempts) to drop belly tanks full of medical supplies, etc. to the Battalions. Well, two of these belly tanks actually made it to the troops and not into the hands of the Germans. These two tanks, rusted, battered and beaten, were discovered by two brilliant historians and archaeologists, and was transported to Austin to be placed in the Museum.
It was so moving to see these belly tanks and picture my grandpa being one of the men that was pulling out all of the supplies, the supplies that saved their lives.
At the symposium there were 4 speakers. 1: The author of the book "The Lost Battalions" it was very informative and full of historical background. 2: The Forward Artillery leader of the 141st Infrantry, A Company (My grandpa's infantry and company). His speech was all about what it was like to be behind enemy lines. His wife informed mom and I later that day that he hasn't talked about it, but when this symposium came up after 64 years, he pulled out all of his old war stuff and was able to talk about it. It was incredible to hear from somebody who was right there with my Grandpa. It was incredibly. 3: Arch Archilla, he was one of the pilots who dropped supplies in. It was so incredible to shake the hand of a man who helped to save grandpa's life. 4: A member of the 442nd Infantry who, until this weekend, never received credit for all they did because they were Japanese-Americans. Once again, it was so incredible to shake the hand of 4 different men who were on the ground at hand to hand combat fighting to save the lives of the men who were trapped.
I could truly go on for hours, but I won't! :) All in all, it was an incredible weekend! I cannot even describe how it feels to finally be able to get a glimpse into my Grandpa's life and to finally be able to understand what he went through and what an incredible man he is. It was a huge blessing to both mom and I to be able to go down there and I am so grateful. I am so grateful for all the service men/women both past a present who risk their lives daily to protect our freedoms. I am so grateful for those brave men of the 105th Fighter Squadron and the 442nd Infantry for risking their lives, hundreds of lives were lost, in order to rescue the men trapped behind enemy lines.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Tagged by Donelle!!
How to Play This Game of Tag:
Post these rules on your blog. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself.Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!
JOYS!
1. Rebecca JOY Gilbert (ME!!)
2. Nette JOY Gilbert (My Grandma)
3. Allison JOY Poulson (A friend from Jr. High)
Ok...these are just three people that happen to have JOY as part of their name!
Here are some of my actual JOYS!
1. My family and great friends!
2. Reading
3. Finding something that I really want for ultra cheap while shopping!
FEARS!
1. Heights
2. Being held underwater
3. Plane Crashes
GOALS!
1. Get married in the Temple and be a good mama!
2. Get a good job doing design
3. Do something every day to make another persons' life better.
OBSESSIONS/COLLECTIONS!
1. So You Think You Can Dance!
2. NUMB3RS (The greatest TV show ever!!!)
3. China
RANDOM/SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT MYSELF!
1. The left side of my body is a lot larger than the right- because my brain is uneven.
2. I am accident prone, but usually don't get hurt doing anything cool!
3. I can make my nose go completely flat. The cartilage is really soft, and really short.
I TAG... (and please don't feel obligated to do it, but it is kinda fun!)
1. Jen
2. Kelly
3. Necia
4. Stacy
5. Becca Halls
Post these rules on your blog. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself.Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!
JOYS!
1. Rebecca JOY Gilbert (ME!!)
2. Nette JOY Gilbert (My Grandma)
3. Allison JOY Poulson (A friend from Jr. High)
Ok...these are just three people that happen to have JOY as part of their name!
Here are some of my actual JOYS!
1. My family and great friends!
2. Reading
3. Finding something that I really want for ultra cheap while shopping!
FEARS!
1. Heights
2. Being held underwater
3. Plane Crashes
GOALS!
1. Get married in the Temple and be a good mama!
2. Get a good job doing design
3. Do something every day to make another persons' life better.
OBSESSIONS/COLLECTIONS!
1. So You Think You Can Dance!
2. NUMB3RS (The greatest TV show ever!!!)
3. China
RANDOM/SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT MYSELF!
1. The left side of my body is a lot larger than the right- because my brain is uneven.
2. I am accident prone, but usually don't get hurt doing anything cool!
3. I can make my nose go completely flat. The cartilage is really soft, and really short.
I TAG... (and please don't feel obligated to do it, but it is kinda fun!)
1. Jen
2. Kelly
3. Necia
4. Stacy
5. Becca Halls
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Temple Square Shoot
In order to build my photography portfolio, I went up to Salt Lake to shoot some photos of downtown. Unfortunately, it was incredibly hot, and we didn't plan very well and so we didn't last as long as we thought we would, and went over to the Gateway to eat some lunch which took a bunch of our time. We spent almost the whole afternoon shooting at Temple Square and then ran over to the City Library and the City & County Building for 5 minutes to shoot. Here are my favorite images.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Update???
I think it is about time I update my blog... here we go!
First of all- we just got family pictures taken- here are a few of my favorites...
"Grandma" with Camila and Landon
Eduardo, Mikey, Jen, and I
Dad right after Landon spit up on him- the look on his face is priceless.
The whole crew having fun
The girls
The Men in my life!! :)
I have no idea what happened here, but apparently it was funny!
First of all- we just got family pictures taken- here are a few of my favorites...
"Grandma" with Camila and Landon
Eduardo, Mikey, Jen, and I
Dad right after Landon spit up on him- the look on his face is priceless.
The whole crew having fun
The girls
The Men in my life!! :)
I have no idea what happened here, but apparently it was funny!
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