Green Light
On June 5th, 1944, high above a war raging in Europe, a paratrooper’s faith helped calm a 20-year-old soldier from the 82nd Airborne Division. The vibration of the military transport plane might have put George to sleep if not for the peril he was about to face. He was about to jump under cover of darkness into occupied France with fellow paratroopers from 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He closed his eyes and recalled a quote he memorized long ago:
Hard things…
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Great job, Anne! I hope you are sold out soon!!! These stories are priceless.
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Hi guess what? There is a mistake on my brother’s stone! Just found it today. Check out the website my son made for George. A reader saw the mistake. Hope we can correct it. HOpe you are well!
Dr Bil
1:31 PM (2 hours ago)
to me
Yes, there is a mistake. He was in the 82nd Airborne Division instead of the 17th Airborne Division. The 17th did not make the D-Day Drop. They fought in Belgium and jumped later in 1945 with the British 6th Airborne.
So, the mistake that should be corrected was that George was in the 82nd Airborne instead of the 17th Airborne Division.
Might be a fantastic PR opportunity to publicize the Blue Book.
Bil
WEBSITE : http://www.aparatroopersfaith.org A Paratroopers Faith.org
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Anne,
I’m sorry to hear that. In the picture, I can barely read the division number, so I won’t kick myself too hard for not being the one to notice the mistake. At least at the top of the page the information is correct. I don’t see why the stone could not be altered. Let me know how it all works out.
I’m hanging in there. I hope you are well.
GP Cox
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Thanks friend !
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Always!!
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new website smiles!
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You did an excellent job on the tribute, Anne. So happy to see your brother’s display up in France. I’m certain anyone who receives “The Paratrooper’s Faith” will enjoy their copy as much as I continue to do. [it still sits on the shelf at my desk.]!!
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So glad! You are such a good friend! Thanks!
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You always bring a smile!
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Back at you, my friend!
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Affectionately, Anne
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That is a wonderful post, Anne. A sincere and honorable tribute!!
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Thank you for your continued friendship and encouragement! Blessings to you.
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You are an easy person to be friends with, Anne – no thanks needed!!
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You are so sweet! Thank you. Check out this new blog !https://airwarworldwar2.wordpress.com/
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I know them well, in fact I’ve already reblogged a few of their posts; but thank you for thinking of me.
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Smile, should have guessed!
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Oh no, I have found many a site thanks to reader bringing it to me – I DO thank you!
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Well , you are most welcome. I shall continue !
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I just heard from Tracey and she said that the story is in Public Domain along with pictures that can be used. the soldier ‘s name is Corporal Martin Windmill MC. Mom has a position at the American Cemetery in Cambridge, England. She didn’t say that her name and position could be used so I am wondering how you will explain it. . . Do you want to say “It has come to my attention. . . . or something like that or do you want to tell the connection with me trying to get information into the Visitors Center in Cambridge about GBTIII? That is how it happened. I finally got her name from someone at St Mere Eglise and wrote her and she responded and we connected. I love to connect with people. I am going to write a post as well. You inspired me! Her name is Tracey and is used in an article I read. Not sure if it had her position and last name. See if you can make heads or tails from this mess of words and let me know if I can help you ! Smiles. . .
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I will see what’s out there and probably mention you [along with a link, of course]. I can’t say what or when until I get all my info together – remember this is the ETO of which I am not all that adept, but I will do my best.
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Oh my blog is so eclectic. . . but thank you ! You are the paratrooper “Rock Star!” LOL. . . We should start a mutual fan club, you know! 😎
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Haylock Tracey
4:31 AM (4 hours ago)
to me
Thank you Anne, I have been reading everyday on the internet and I have found it very interesting.
I will be incorporating it into my tours in the future.
Kind regards
Tracey
From: Anne Bell [mailto:anne.t.bell@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2015 7:53 PM
To: Haylock Tracey
Subject: Re: Paratroopers Faith
Anne Bell
8:39 AM (1 minute ago)
to Haylock
Oh how lovely! And I have a question for you . . . I have a blog started when we first went to India. My husband is a professor of architecture and lead groups of students. It was life changing for me and I fell in love with the Indian people. I have over 900 posts but not all India. Jan. -May 2013 and 2015 (same months)
http://www.talesalongtheway.com
I would like to tell Martin’s story and post his picture in his uniform if you give permission.
Another friend to whom I sent your letter wants to publish your letter about Martin, but I am asking you first.
http://www.pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com.
Oh there is more to the story, but enough this morning!
Hugs!
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I thank you for going to this trouble to get these letters to me. You’re an inspiration.
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Haylock Tracey
Sep 23 (1 day ago)
to me
Dear Anne
We would be delighted to have a copy of the ‘Paratroopers Faith’ kept here at the Cambridge American Cemetery. When we do tours of the airborne divisions that were based here in the UK it would be lovely to show them what he kept with him at all times.
On another note my son is in the British Parachute Regiment and has completed 3 tours of Afghanistan and one tour of Iraq. He is only 28 and has been in the Parachute Regiment since he was a boy at 16. He completed his tour of Iraq when he was 18 and the others followed. He won a Military Cross for gallantry (2nd highest bravery award under the Victoria Cross) on his second tour of Afghanistan when he was 23 by saving the lives of two of the younger paratroopers while on patrol. As a mother I can sincerely empathize with George’s mother.
Unfortunately we are unable to pay for the postage of the book.
Kind regards
Tracey
This is from the American Cemetery in Cambridge where GBTIII is buried. I am so excited and thankful that now there will be something to tell his story both at St Mere Eglese and at Cambridge. Thanks for your help and support. I told Pierre! Hugs!
I just thought to post this here. Leave it if you want. There were more emails but this is the jest!
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Any idea how I can get an email address for a real person at the Airborne Museum at St Mere Eglise? I want to get George’s picture marked with his name, ( pictures is there but not marked) and have a Paratrooper’s Faith placed next to it. I have documentation to send but no idea how to send it. I have checked the websites but there really isn’t anything useful there. Maybe one of your readers might know? Thanks in advance for any help, dear friend!
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I hope someone can help. I have put the question out there. By the way, George will again be mentioned on Sunday for the 75th Airborne Day.
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Thanks so much!
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No problem. Wish I could help more.
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I received a reply from Pierre Lagace for your problem. He said it would be easier if you email him directly.
pierre1948@hotmail.com
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Wow, my head is swirling! Pierre has completed the project and posted it to me this morning! And all this since yesterday afternoon! He is a gem as you are! Big smiles!
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If anyone could do it – it would be him!! I went to his site immediately after receiving your comment. He has been my mentor practically since the beginning of all this, plus bi-lingual – a magic worker!!
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Could you send me Pierre’s blog please?
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Which one? It would probably be better if you click on his Gravatar image and go to his profile; Pierre runs about 20 blogs at once….
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Anne Bell
8:46 AM (49 minutes ago)
to Bil, Bil, Bil
Hi Anne,
Did you ever hear back from the museum in St Mere Eglise? I will be going there in Sept. and have written to our tour guide, a retired British soldier, asking if I would have time to look for your brother’s display to take a picture. He has kindly answered that he will not only look for the display, but that we would make a stop at La Fiere bridge. In order to help him I will send an article with George’s picture. This will be my second visit to that area, but first time inside the museum.
Reply
annetbell says:
June 5, 2015 at 12:29 pm (Edit)
Oh, I have goosebumps! Do you have a copy of the Paratrooper’s Faith? You can google Paratrooper’s Faith my mama’s obit. Anne Archer Hogshead Tullidge. If you send me your address, I can mail copies of the booklet for you the tour guide and the museum. The picture you have or will have when I send it is the very one on display , to the right of the entrance in the left corner. The picture didn’t haven’t his name and there was no copy of the booklet with him. It would be such a blessing if you could get them to label the picture with his name. . . .George Bowler Tullidge III, and put a copy of the booklet with him. The family would be so blessed. If you would want to contact me off of WordPress here is the information:
anne.t.bell@gmail.com
Anne T. Bell
212 Third Street
Park Place 1 E
Troy, New York
12180
I am sorry that I don’t recognize your address, as it is obvious we have spoken before. . . Anne
I tried to send George’s picture but need your email .
Rep
This is pretty cool! I hope it gets resolved finally, afterall, I am the lone survivor now! Hope you are well!
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Just so you know, Annet, my copy of the Paratrooper’s Faith is standing on a shelf above my desk. I know I don’t have to remind you that this 16 August 2015 is the 75th US Army Airborne Anniversary and I will HAVE to put one of the prayers from your mom’s booklet in that post. I hope I do them justice!!
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Actually, I didn’t know that and I thank you for telling me. I take care of those details of marking George’s picture and displaying the booklet. My brothers died recently at 83 and 84 so I am trying to be responsible and be on top of this!
Blessings to you friend!
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You are, Annet. No one could ever doubt your loyalty. I am very sorry for the world’s loss of your brothers.
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George, check this out ! I am thrilled that George’s picture will be labeled! This woman is from my hometown. The Lord works in mysterious ways !
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A very noble and patriotic family
A Mother, a true inspiration behind the soldier.
Emu
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And I love the booklet – it must have given many paratroopers hope. Thanks for coming by, Ian.
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My friend, if this is clear, I hope you might have an idea how I can get in-touch with someone at the Museum at St Mere Eglise. There is George’s picture displayed but it is unmarked and there is no booklet there with him in the case. I have emailed Jason, and maybe he will have an idea.
Blessings for a lovely week!
Anne
A Paratrooper’s Faith and a Legacy of Love
Posted on July 29, 2014by annetbell
My name is Anne Bowler Tullidge Bell and I visited your museum a few years ago. My oldest brother was a paratrooper and jumped on D-Day, wounded, and died on June 8th on his way to Britain. You will find his picture in the post below. The picture of George that you have is not marked with his name and neither do you have one of the little books explained below. There are a few of them available and I would be happy to mail you one , if I have a name and address. I don’t want it discarded .
My purpose in writing is to insure that George’s picture is labeled and that a Paratrooper’s Faith is placed with him in the case.
As I remember, George’s picture (the identical one to the one in the post) is in the left corner of a case on the right after entering the museum. If you have more questions, please let me know. I was not born until later.
This post and notes, at the end, tell of the amazing story of George’s Little Book !
Sincerely yours,
Anne Bowler Tullidge Bell
Troy, New York
anne.t.bell@gmail.com
talesalongtheway.com (blog)
picture information :
George Bowler Tullidge III
Staunton , Virginia
FIGHTER FAITH
by Jason Ladd
This is my family story about a brother who gave his life for freedom, long before my birth, and my mama who used her unspeakable pain and sacrifice to inspire and encourage soldiers going forth, and even today. Anne
About Jason B. Ladd
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The Airborne Museum has its own website with a contact area for you to insert your letter which can be found HERE_
Their snail mail and email addresses are also on that page. If the link does not work – type – Airborne Museum at St. Mere Eglise on your AOL (bing, Google – whatever you use) page and it should be the first website listed. Best of luck Anne. Give my best to Jason, I have difficulty at times getting into his site.
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Yes, I got the email address from their website. I have sent that message I sent to you and just haven’t heard anything. Maybe I need to be more patient and resend it until someone answers. . . . Thanks !
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No problem, Anne. But, I would wait until tomorrow before you re-send it; you’re dealing with different time zones, etc.
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Good point about the time. . . will do. . . many thanks !
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What a wonderful story. I sent it on to my two children.
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What a wonderful thing to do, Jacqui. Hopefully it will give them peace of mind. It truly is a wonderful story.
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It makes a difference to all eternity whether we do right or wrong today. . .such powerful and true words. Mrs Archer Tullidge represents the very essence of a mother and a patriot rolled into one, as it should be.
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Yes, she certainly does, Ina. I thank you for reading this wonderful story.
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Oh I so enjoyed it, and, although very banal in comparison Mrs Archer Tullidge’s booklet of “quotes/sayings” reminded me of the time some 8 years ago when my daughter went off to US, New York, to live there for a while and up skill her professional hand I gave her a little booklet of home-cooked meals – to avoid her eating “take aways” – it did the trick 🙂
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Now, that’s a mother’s love!!
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😀
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What a wonderful and amazing story and such courage. Glad that you posted it.
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So am I. I originally felt I would wait until the story reached 1944, but I didn’t trust my filing system or my memory to do that – so here we are. Thanking for commenting, Kathy.
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Glad to comment and glad that you didn’t wait. On a side note I have almost all the info I need to do that blog post we talked about with 18th and 19th century ships. Will get it all together within the week and post. Love the idea and like what I got so far.
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Fantastic – I knew you could come up with something!
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🙂
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Wonderful.
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I’ll pass this on to Anne and Jason. Thank you for visiting today.
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Thank you for sharing this, I reblogged it too.
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Great! Good for you. Every story needs to be told and remembered.
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I’ve seen movies of the paratroopers over Europe and often wondered what went through the minds of those who jumped from the airplanes. So much danger and risk being compressed into the start of the missions.
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Yes, very true, Swabby. The paratrooper back then (in both wars) had to deal with parachutes back then that are antique relics compared to those of today. One reason why being a trooper was purely on a volunteer basis.
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Very moving…
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The very reason for the re-blog, Doug. Thank you for reading.
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Many thanks for the reblog and sharing George’s and Mama’s story ! Blessings, Anne
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My pleasure, Anne!
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What an amazing mother/woman/caring, loving human being.
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Aren’t they wonderful! That’s why I had to break tradition and slip it in. So glad you liked it, Ann.
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