About a year ago I suffered multiple strokes which has left me pretty much incapacitated.

I was born in Cambridge, Mass, 9/14/1948. Had an older sister who I never got to meet, premie. Had a younger brother and sister, both have since died and are entered here on FAG. Mom & Dad have been gone for some time, they're here too. Grew up in and graduated from Rockland, Ma. High School in Jun 1966. Joined the Army right away (5 July 66) trained as a lab tech and Medic. First permanent duty station was the 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon, RVN (was there for the TET Offensive). From there went to Germany. Served primarily overseas, 1 year in Vietnam, about 12 years in Germany, 1 year in Korea. Retired as an SFC (E7) in 1988. Married twice,first to a German gal (she's here now buried with our 2d child, Julie)), 2d time, so far, for 43 years. Five kids from both, 2d daughter from 1st wife was stillborn, Julie, she's here in the Wuerzberg Hauptfriedhof. 1 grandchild (she's a Doctor, Neurologist) from the first and 6 from the second. 2nd wife is also a retired Army Vet (SSG E-6). After retiring I attended and graduated from Tampa, Fl college with an Assoc. degree. Since "retirement" have worked as a Medical Asst, Lab tech & phlebotomist, X-ray tech as well as managing a couple of clinics. (This feels like a resume'). Have been doing genealogy for about 35 years and have a good size collection of info and can prove to 11 generations on my Mom's side & 5 on my Dad's. I enjoy putting my feet on the ground and doing research, including cemetery "stomping" and will photograph cemeteries to completion and have added and/or completed several cemeteries in the Southern Maine & SE NH areas
UPDATE: As of April 2012 I have finally "permanently retired". Now I am ready to spend more time stomping cemeteries. Unfortunately, living here in Southern Maine (Springvale/Sanford) this activity is seasonal, but when the weather is decent and the ground is not snow covered, I will be able to fulfill requests and add more cemeteries to FAG.
Anyone wishing to use my pictures for noncommercial uses may do so, please give appropriate credit. Most of the memorials that I have posted are of persons to whom I am NOT related. I add memorials & take pictures of cemeteries and markers to ensure their preservation. If you are related and I am not and would like a memorial transferred, just ask.
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A Soldier, Sailor, or Airman
Maybe a US Marine
With back straight as an arrow
And eyes sharp and keen
Been in many Campaigns
Marched many a mile to be
In the heat of battle
Always ready doncha see

Now this old gentlemen
Walks slowly and uses a cane
Hearing fading daily
Living in constant pain

He fought for his country
The good old USA
He'd be the first to volunteer
If needed today.

He'd fought in many countries
Fighting for freedom, for you and me
In places he'd never heard of
On far off oceans and seas

If only he would tell you
Of the things that he'd seen

While he was serving
As a young US Marine
As a young airman
Flying a bomber or fighter plane
Many close calls
Never to complain

Of the hundreds of sorties
Bombing raids by the score
Crippling the enemy factories
That made the things for war

As a young soldier
Fighting on Islands far away
Manning a flame thrower
To keep the enemy at bay.

Maybe a seaman on the battleship Missouri
Where peace was finally restored
Sept. the second nineteen forty five
While he was aboard.

Once a Soldier Always a Soldier
Fighting for your country-you never forget
The pride you have for serving
Is something you don't regret.

A Poem by Monte Leon Manka

About a year ago I suffered multiple strokes which has left me pretty much incapacitated.

I was born in Cambridge, Mass, 9/14/1948. Had an older sister who I never got to meet, premie. Had a younger brother and sister, both have since died and are entered here on FAG. Mom & Dad have been gone for some time, they're here too. Grew up in and graduated from Rockland, Ma. High School in Jun 1966. Joined the Army right away (5 July 66) trained as a lab tech and Medic. First permanent duty station was the 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon, RVN (was there for the TET Offensive). From there went to Germany. Served primarily overseas, 1 year in Vietnam, about 12 years in Germany, 1 year in Korea. Retired as an SFC (E7) in 1988. Married twice,first to a German gal (she's here now buried with our 2d child, Julie)), 2d time, so far, for 43 years. Five kids from both, 2d daughter from 1st wife was stillborn, Julie, she's here in the Wuerzberg Hauptfriedhof. 1 grandchild (she's a Doctor, Neurologist) from the first and 6 from the second. 2nd wife is also a retired Army Vet (SSG E-6). After retiring I attended and graduated from Tampa, Fl college with an Assoc. degree. Since "retirement" have worked as a Medical Asst, Lab tech & phlebotomist, X-ray tech as well as managing a couple of clinics. (This feels like a resume'). Have been doing genealogy for about 35 years and have a good size collection of info and can prove to 11 generations on my Mom's side & 5 on my Dad's. I enjoy putting my feet on the ground and doing research, including cemetery "stomping" and will photograph cemeteries to completion and have added and/or completed several cemeteries in the Southern Maine & SE NH areas
UPDATE: As of April 2012 I have finally "permanently retired". Now I am ready to spend more time stomping cemeteries. Unfortunately, living here in Southern Maine (Springvale/Sanford) this activity is seasonal, but when the weather is decent and the ground is not snow covered, I will be able to fulfill requests and add more cemeteries to FAG.
Anyone wishing to use my pictures for noncommercial uses may do so, please give appropriate credit. Most of the memorials that I have posted are of persons to whom I am NOT related. I add memorials & take pictures of cemeteries and markers to ensure their preservation. If you are related and I am not and would like a memorial transferred, just ask.
-------------------------------------------
A Soldier, Sailor, or Airman
Maybe a US Marine
With back straight as an arrow
And eyes sharp and keen
Been in many Campaigns
Marched many a mile to be
In the heat of battle
Always ready doncha see

Now this old gentlemen
Walks slowly and uses a cane
Hearing fading daily
Living in constant pain

He fought for his country
The good old USA
He'd be the first to volunteer
If needed today.

He'd fought in many countries
Fighting for freedom, for you and me
In places he'd never heard of
On far off oceans and seas

If only he would tell you
Of the things that he'd seen

While he was serving
As a young US Marine
As a young airman
Flying a bomber or fighter plane
Many close calls
Never to complain

Of the hundreds of sorties
Bombing raids by the score
Crippling the enemy factories
That made the things for war

As a young soldier
Fighting on Islands far away
Manning a flame thrower
To keep the enemy at bay.

Maybe a seaman on the battleship Missouri
Where peace was finally restored
Sept. the second nineteen forty five
While he was aboard.

Once a Soldier Always a Soldier
Fighting for your country-you never forget
The pride you have for serving
Is something you don't regret.

A Poem by Monte Leon Manka