Updated December 2006
The following are entries from the 243rd Guest book from June 2004 through October 2005.  There were problems accessing the old guest book, so we compiled all of the old entries and put them on this page.

For the MOST RECENT guest book comments (and your ability to write your entries) - you should be able to bring up the NEW Guest Book page by clicking <back> on your internet brouser and then click on "sign guest book".

Name: Jim Asp
E-mail: [email protected]
City: St. Paul, Minnesota
Country: USA
Homepage: http://www.metrofreenet.org/~asp
Date: 14-Oct-2005 12:22:39
Message:
Thanks to everyone involved, the 2005 reunion was a great success!  Sounds like it's STILL raining in the NorthEast though.

Russell: Good point about pictures.  Let's get as many "new" pictures as we can.  I know that there are several albums and other items that travel from reunion to reunion every year.  Many of these albums contain original photos from the '40's.  I would like to make an attempt to SCAN IN ALL OF THE PHOTOS that we have and make a CD available to anyone interested.

The internet is a great tool for keeping everyone informed.  Please use this message board for posting notices to all.  If there are more private matters (or you're shy about posting), e-mail me directly.  If you post something and make a mistake or change your mind, e-mail me and I will be glad to DELETE your entry.

Lastly, Everyone Thanks MIKE for hosting the reunion next year -- possibly in Washington State.  Stay tuned and check back, I will post details about the NEXT reunion as plans come together.

Name: Russell Lorenson
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Hope Valley, RI
Country:
Homepage:
Date: 14-Oct-2005 08:28:27
Message:
Hello All, Back from the reunion- the reunion went great - a little wet - but that did not dampen the spirits !!!

It was great seeing everyone !!!

Great meeting Mike Semeneck from Washington - the 2006 reunion organizer - thanks Mike !!!!

WW2  Memorial was spectacular - helps brings home the enormity of what was accomplished and the even larger price that was paid.

Thank you all for help in identifying the pictures and writing it down for me...I now have too get them put together - PS just a few more to identify.  I would also like to mention - If anyone has pictures of there own of the war years - I think it would be great to add them to the 243rd record - just let me know and I will scan them into a computer and get the originals back to you.

Russell Lorenson

Name: Jim Asp
E-mail: [email protected]
City: St. Paul, Minnesota
Country: USA
Homepage: http://www.METROfreenet.org/~asp
Date: 06-Sep-2005 13:40:08
Message:
Hi Mike!  Looks like things are indeed pulling together.  My folks just made their flight and hotel arrangements too.  They are looking
forward to visiting the WWII memorial and seeing everyone again.  I wish that I could go myself too but it doesn't look like it will work for me.  Have a great time and take some good pictures.  (Make sure that you get a group shot).  I would like to put some up on the 243rd site.  Jim

Name: Mike Semenock
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Snohomish, WA
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 05-Sep-2005 01:37:44
Message:
See you in Baltimore. I just booked my flight.  My dad, Harry Semenock, is in a nursing home and, much to my regret, won't make the trip with me.

Thanks again for the web site, Jim!

Mike

Name: elaine shelor jackson
E-mail: [email protected]
City: oklahoma city, ok
Country: usa
Homepage:
Date: 03-Jul-2005 00:12:21
Message:
What a great job on the website! such dedication to keep everyone in touch and up-to-date. I'm hoping to bring my Dad and Mom to the Baltimore reunion...but still iffy. Thanks for all your hard work.

Name: Mike Semenock
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Snohomish, WA
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 15-Jun-2005 19:47:28
Message:
Hi, Jim. Looks like it works. I check the site often to see who has posted. I then look up the name in Battle Diary. I see some people want to get a copy of the book, but it's very rare since it was privately printed for the men of the 243rd. I have searched many used book web sites with no luck.

What I did find is that Frank Smith, who edited Battle Diary, was a five-time congressman from Mississippi and also was appointed to the TVA by President Kennedy. He authored other books and there were at least two I've found that were written about him. He was quite a man. My father, Lt. Harry Semenock, said Frank was always interested in checking this or that out, and going here and there to see what was going on.

Those of you who have found this web site, please let others who may be interested know it exists.

Best wishes to all,

Mike Semenock

Name: Bill LaRue
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Spokane WA
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 28-Apr-2005 01:46:07
Message:
Nice website!  I just began researching my grandfathers WW11 service record.  He did not speak of his service to my father and his records were destroyed in a fire.  This is my first stop after receiving his seperation papers from NPRC.  My grandfaters was Cpl. Gene Brigance HQ BTRY 243rd FA BN at Camp Shelby Miss.

Name: GS (Steve) Ostrosky
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Palm Beach Gardens,
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 18-Apr-2005 09:11:51
Message:
Just began researching my father's (George Ostrosky) past upon request of his brother.  This was my first stop.

Name: Phil Guy
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Homer
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 21-Jan-2005 09:03:49
Message:
We attended several reunions with my uncle- Burton Guy-during the late 60's and early 70's.  Met some wonderful people.  Would like to get in touch with Howard and Francis Meyers and/or Jim and Lois Borham.

Name: Wayne Guy
E-mail: [email protected]
City: potsdam, N.Y.
Country:
Homepage:
Date: 19-Jan-2005 17:23:21
Message:
My uncle was Burton Guy and I do know he went to many of the reunions and enjoyed them very much. I have the picture of  all the men in HQ. Battery at Camp Shelby, Miss. Nov. 1942. I would like to know if I could purchase a couple of the battle diaries from where thank you,
Wayne Guy

Name: Dean Wood
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Shiloh, Georgia
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 26-Sep-2004 17:13:23
Message:
I just found this site. My father was Eldon (Woodie) B. Wood, Battery Baker's Commanding Officer and later the Battalion Executive Officer. He passed away in 1997 at the age of 94.

I have the group picture of Battery Baker at Camp Shelby in December 1942 with everyone identified. Judy Lee, your father is identified in the group picture and I will scan it and send you a copy if you like. I also have a collection of the campaign maps and some photos
that I will now pay more attention to.

I have one question; who wrote the history of the 243rd FA that is on this page?

Thanks for keeping our father's contribution to history alive.

Name: Mike Semenock
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Snohomish, WA
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 22-Sep-2004 13:23:54
Message:
I hope things are moving along on the October reunion. Not much time left to get best airfare deals. Any news?

Thanks,
Mike

Name: Judy Lee
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Rochester
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 20-Aug-2004 22:21:28
Message:
I am Benny Ulwelling's daughter.  I wish my dad had a computer and could enjoy this. We will return to keep viewing. Thanks for doing this for our fathers.  I have attended many reunions with my parents and Samuelsons and have fond memories. Wish my dad could still attend but becasue of health problems, he no longer travels.

Name: Jim Asp
E-mail: [email protected]
City: St. Paul, Minnesota
Country: USA
Homepage: http://www.metrofreenet.org/~asp
Date: 15-Aug-2004 22:57:59
Message:
Hi Alan,

Thanks for your most recent entry in the "guest book".  I have asked my Mom to look at some old rosters to see if she can find any information listed about your Dad's service.

I looked at all the names and addresses listed in the 243rd BATTLE DIARY (a book published in 1946 about the 243rd in combat) but his name was not in there.  Perhaps your posting will bring some more leads.

I encourage anyone to post back to ALAN if they can offer suggestions to him.  (Just fill in the form at the top of this page).

Jim Asp

Name: Alan Dudash
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Ellwood City, PA
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 15-Aug-2004 14:48:18
Message:
Just discovered your website.  My father was in the 243rd during the Occupation in Bavaria.  He may also have been in it during the last months of the war, but I am not sure being that he also has unit pins for the 407th infantry and the 60th FA BN.  He died in 1972 without me getting much info from him.  Does anyone remember him?  He was Cpl.(laterT-4) Joseph R. Dudash.  I have a few occupation photos.  Two were taken on Oct. 7, 1945 in Erding,Germany.  He and a buddy (possibly -- Copeland) were standing in front of a HQ truck that looks like it belongs to the 360th FA BN.  Thank you and good luck with your web page and best wishes for your next reunion.

Name: G Fred Kays
E-mail: [email protected]
City: 1110 Grove At Unit 2
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 18-Jul-2004 19:01:13
Message:
Lovely display

Name: Ken Mc Cauley
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Philadelphia, PA
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 06-Jul-2004 15:42:08
Message:
Keep up the good work

Name: Ruth (Glass) Schmitt
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Pahrump, NV
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 03-Jul-2004 15:21:55
Message:
My father Ronald Glass served with HQ Btry 1942-1944.  I would enjoy hearing from anyone who know him.  Thank you for developing this web page so I can find out more.

Name: George (Fred) Kays
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Downers Grove TH
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 20-Jun-2004 17:39:33
Message:
U hopto see you in Oklahoma City

Name: Mike Semenock
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Snohomish, WA
Country: USA
Homepage:
Date: 19-Jun-2004 18:43:22
Message:
I am delighted to find this site. My father, Harry Semenock, was 1st Lt. in Headquarters Battery of the 243rd. I had hoped to take him to last year's reunion, but he's pretty hard to get out of the house these days. He will turn 86 in October and how I wish I could get him to Oklahoma this year. I talked with Mr. James Boorom last year and he sent my father a wonderful letter along with some information on the battalion and a map of their "European Tour." FYI there is an eight inch gun at Ft. Lawton about an hour's drive from OK City. My best to the men of 243rd and their families.
Mike Semenock
PS the 243rd is shown on a map in the book "Americans in Brittany 1944, the Battle for Brest" by Jonathan Gawne. There are pictures of the German Graf Spee battery that was shelled by 240 mm Howitzers directed by the 243rd (Smith's "Battle Diary") and probably by the eight inch guns of the 243rd as well. The artillery is credited with knocking out one of those large guns.

Name: Carol A. Mounts
E-mail: [email protected]
City: Washington
Country: United States
Homepage: http://home.att.net/~camounts/
Date: 12-Jun-2004 20:05:03
Message:
Congratulations Jim. You have done a GREAT JOB with this web site.  Maybe our two web sites will inspire others to do the same thing. Keep up the good work.
Carol and Glenn Mounts

Name: Jim Asp
E-mail: [email protected]
City: St. Paul, Minnesota
Country: USA
Homepage: http://www.metrofreenet.org/~asp
Date: 11-Jun-2004 23:13:56
Message:
June 11, 2004
WELCOME TO OUR GUEST BOOK!  Here's the first entry in the 243rd guest book.

My hope is that this will be a good tool for members and their families to keep in contact.

It is my first attempt at any type of web page, so please be patient -- I'm learning as I go.

Jim