National
World War Two MemorialNational
World War Two Memorial
If you have any comments or if you have any questions, stories or photographs which you would like to relate to APEX about the monument or your experiences during World War II please feel free to contact APEX at the following:
Email: ww2memorial@apexpiping.com
APEX Piping Systems, Inc.
302 Falco Dr.
Newport, DE 19804
Phone: 302-995-6136
Fax: 302-995-1257
Please address any comments or questions to John Stevens or Pat Oakes.
Dear Mister Oakes,
I was overwhelmed and extremely honored your company will be doing the welding for the Eagles to be displayed for the World War II monument in Washington D.C.
My father, Paul E. Jones, a World War II veteran, known at the VA as the "Senior Vet" age 90 1/2, was extremely proud and honored that he was a part of the war. In fact, when we have company he brings out his platoon book and medals to show the young men who are interested in that time of history. On his 80th birthday he received a letter signed by President Bush and the Honorable Senator Joseph Biden.
My dad has lived with me for almost eight years. In that time he has had two pacemakers and last year brain surgery. He is very active and very alert. He is declared blind but can see some out of the left eye. He is independent during the day. It would be appreciative when the Eagles are about to be moved could we watch? I know Dad could not make the trip to Washington D.C.
I am very proud of my father and what he has contributed for this country. I am also honored that your company will be part of this history for many years to come.
My sincere gratitude for your consideration to my Dad "Our Senior Vet". Thanks you for your job that will be beautiful to all of our heroes of World War II.
Sincerely,
Cynthia H. Gentieu
Hello Pat,
I work with Bruce Bachart at ECBM and Bruce was kind enough to forward your website to my attention.
My father was in the 101st Airborne Artillery 321st division during the war and fought in Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne. He was very afraid he would never see a memorial to the soldiers that fought in this war and was very excited when I told him the news.
Bruce printed out your wonderful pictures and they were delivered to Dad.
Thank you for making his dream come true!
Sincerely,
Dolores Forte
From the American War War II Orphans Network (AWON) www.awon.org
"Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know about your website. Our members are of course very interested and excited about the WWII Memorial, and we plan to be there when it is dedicated in 2004.
Ellen Jones Blackburn
AWON Email Coordinator
Only child of William Kermit Jones
642nd Bomb Sqdn, 409th Bomb Gp, 9th Air Force
Shot down in combat, Germany, 23 Jan 45
Buried at American Cemetery, Luxembourg
"You never know where you will get a phone call."
Mister Thomas Lilley of the 303rd Signal Operation Battalion and Mister James Hicks of the 984th Engineer Maintenance Company related this story.
To add a little history Mister Lilley and Mister Hicks knew one another prior to joining the service.
Mister Lilley was in Germany tasked with running and restoring communication lines. He was fixing these lines so that various unit commanders could contact one another in the field. Mister Lilley was also responsible for testing these phone lines.......
Mister Hicks at that time was stationed in France. One day he was called to the CP and told he had a phone call. He said he couldn't imagine who could be calling him, after all, he was in France! Well he made it to the CP and picked up the phone. On the line there was someone asking him how he was and other small talk people do when they are on the phone. He had no idea who the heck was calling him, he was in France after all! After a bit pulling his strings, Mister Lilley told him who it was on the other end of the line.
I was told there was a bit of colorful speech at that moment.
Mister Lilley admitted to knowing what units his friends were in, and more than one of them got just such a phone call.
RTS
Pat,
Thanks again, for showing us your portion of the WWII memorial and for allowing us to video tape at your facility. It's companies like yours, who support the objectives of our military, that insure our liberties and freedoms are protected.
Best wishes to you and your entire firm for continued success.
Francis D. Vavala
Major General, Delaware National Guard
The Adjutant General