Postcards & other pictures of Camp MacKall
Smitty had acquired additional postcards to show the people back home what Camp MacKall looked like. They were in the scrapbook his mother put together and was saved for all these years…..
A history of Camp MacKall is on Youtube.com in 3 parts. Part 1 includes some of these postcards and other photos as well.
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Military Training Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
William Arnold – Edmonton, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, CBI, B-24 pilot
Norman Eckert – NY; US Army, Korea, Sgt.
Howard Feldman – Boston, MA; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Bill Hinson Jr. – W.Palm Bch., FL; US Navy, Cuban Missile Crisis, USS Saratoga, Shangri-la & Enterprise
Jim Keslar – Ligonier, PA; USMC & Army (Ret. 22 years)
Mardo ‘Lou’ Lucero – Alamosa, CO; US Navy, WWII/Vietnam, Corpsman
Stewart Alexander Marken – Brisbane, AUS; RA Army # Q266312, WWII, PTO, 472 Heavy Antiaircraft Troop, craftsman
Alan Penn – Skokie, IL; US Army, WWII
Herbert Sayles – W.Palm Bch, FL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, P-47 pilot
James Sumrall – Covington, LA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 187th/11th Airborne Division
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Posted on April 4, 2016, in First-hand Accounts, Home Front, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 11th airborne, 1940's, Camp MacKall, Everett Smith, family history, History, Military History, Smitty, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 65 Comments.
I just found five (blank) postcards from Camp Mackall. My father-in law trained there in the 1950’s and was part of the 101st army infantry.
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That is outstanding. I’ll bet the 11th Airborne Assoc. would love to have those, if you have nothing else in mind.
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I was speculating that MacDill must have attracted many quaint nicknames over the years. Strangely, I can’t find any, but I did come across a story that a colonel there had banned chairs for posture reasons, although the true motivation was said to have been to counter the ‘Chair Force’ nickname. *giggle* That’s what I would call standing orders!
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I went looking myself, especially since the week of 15 April was their 75th anniversary, and I came up blank. Probably if we ever find personal stories about it. Many of the readers have commented tales about the camp – perhaps they would know.
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hey man, if you ever have the chance, please check out our blog at Gastradamus. You are well respected within our community.
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I’ve checked it out and it seems quite good. You have only just started, a blog means a while of commitment – you’ll get there with work and courtesy to your fellow bloggers. May I ask you what you feel is the main theme of your site – Movies? or Personal Opinions? Just curious, who do you consider your community? I don’t see an About page.
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Check out my server piece, your opinion would be appreciated, plus it will make you laugh. The server one and Kfc are classics.
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I left my comment on your site.
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love the humor at this time of night. ha, ha. vw
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🙂
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Enjoyed those Postcards gp, the Cards actually put a face to Camp MacKall, well done mate, more of your history safely recorded for posterity.
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Hearing it put that way – makes everything worthwhile, Thank you!
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Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner.
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I thank you for this, many do not even know about Camp MacKall.
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The post card is so much fun!
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I agree, I love postcards!!
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So much seems to pass, GP, but on the Internet it is given a second life. Who knows what chords will be struck. Peggy, BTW, is a great fan of post cards. She is sending them out to our grandkids every few days as we travel. Talk about old-fashioned. But they love getting them. –Curt
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I’ve always looked forward to postcards from people and used to send them when I traveled – it’s sad to see the internet replace that part of our lives. Peggy has the right idea – stay old fashioned!!!!
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The gypsy in me likes to see where people are traveling through their post cards. I keep every one and send some whenever I am away. My friends usually save the ones I send them, also. So guess we are just old-fashioned people here in southeastern Ohio. I vote for staying old-fashioned, too.
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I use the Internet extensively, like you, G. But there is something special about a handwritten note. –Curt
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Exactly, Curt. It shows someone felt you were worth the time. -GP
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Reblogged this on KCJones.
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I’m always being contacted by relatives of 11th Airborne members, maybe you can draw some as well. Thank you.
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Liked that postcard!
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Thanks!
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Thank you Freund …
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An important piece of history
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Thank you very much, Marylou.
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What a precious collection of cards! 🙂
I love History through the stories and love shared in postcards and letters. Especially those in correspondence with family in the military!
At antique stores and thrift shops I OFTEN find such cards and I am sad they are not with the family of the one who wrote them. I wonder how they got to the the antique store. Sometimes I buy them just to give them honor and a home. A friend of my mine found a whole collection rubber banded together (about 50 postcards and letters) from a young man to his family and my friend knew I like giving a home to such collections so he bought it and gave it to me. Unfortunately there was no address (just PO Boxes) for me to try to find the family to give the collection back to.
I just commented on one of Chris’ posts on postcards and military service…and told him about my family’s correspondence to my brother when he served in Vietnam.
HUGS!!!
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Thanks for sharing such stories about postcards. I recently did the same for some very old sheet music. It just couldn’t see them on the bazaar table with Harlequin paperbacks and torn magazines; it didn’t seem right. [you know what I mean]. Now, I need to locate someone who can appreciate them, I can’t even read music.
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I know what you mean. I like giving or finding well-seasoned things a home. And what’s up with those antique stores, anyways…stuff from the ’70’s and ’80’s is not old…it’s just retro! 😉 😛
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Very true – all that stuff comes back into style. I would think it’s a way to to pay their bills though.
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As you know, postcards are favorites of mine as I have a large collection. They make for great memories…on both sides of the card.
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Quite true, Bev. I thought you might like them.
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Funny..
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Thanks for dropping by.
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Love those old postcards! Do many of the old buildings still soldier on?
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I don’t think so. The Army Historian who did his thesis on Camp MacKall requested I send him these pictures, which I did. I believe more permanent buildings were later built.
Thanks for your interest, John – much appreciated.
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That’s rough.
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Wow! Those postcards are amazing! It is so amazing to see this period of history through pictures taken by those who lived through it.
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They are precious to me, I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Claire!
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Loved watching the various postcards with your dad in them! Excellent.Smiling at the humor section and the soft landing 🙂
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I’ve used that picture before – it’s my favorite one for Military Humor! Thanks for stopping by, Kathy.
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Good to have these photos of your Dad.
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I miss him a lot. Just think, you’re making so many memories for your family now.
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That’s right, GP. Thanks
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It’s too bad postcards are disappearing. These are great.
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I love them, Jacqui. You know who has quite a few oldies, Chris at Muscleheaded. He had quite a few in one of his posts today and you’ve seen some in my Humor section!
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That was an impressive-looking camp, GP. Nice to have all those souvenirs. Perhaps you can leave them to the Airborne? Do they have an association, or perhaps a museum? I am sure that they would be welcome there.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I belong to the association, but I would prefer someplace like a museum where everyone could see them. Thanks for giving me the idea of the airborne museum.
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That’s a great choice, GP.
I think that this is the one?
http://www.asomf.org/
Regards, Pete.
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That’s it. Now – to pen out a letter….
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Wonderful collection, something precious for the family.
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I’m it as far as my family goes I’m afraid, but I definitely treasure them! Thanks for coming by, Mike.
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Guter Beitrag wünsche dir eine schöne sonnige Woche Lieber Gruß Gislinde
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Vielen Dank, und ich wünsche allen die gleiche, Gislinde.
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Thanks for sharing the postcards. It was a very good idea to save them.
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It was dad’s scrapbook that got me interested in the Pacific, so many years ago. My only problem now is, being as I have no living relatives, where do I leave all my stuff after I pass on?
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That is a challenge. Maybe a museum? A friend of mine recently asked if I would mind if he donated an A-10 patch I had given him to a local air museum. They are getting an A-10 soon and are building an exhibit. I hope there’s enough interest in the next generation to keep military museums open and active.
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It sure would be nice to think they so, Dan. I know I have a few younger people reading here, but it would be great more are interested in any of this history.
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Thanks GP.
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Thank you very much.
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Thank you. You are very kind.
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