Day is Done – A Relighting
In September 2013, I attended a reunion of the 13th Armored Division in Austin, Texas. A relighting story began to unfold on the second day as we took a long bus ride from Austin, Texas. We were on our way to visit Fort Hood, Texas.
What a ride…
As you know Texas is large, and anywhere you go takes a long time. The trip itself was more important to me than anything that happened that day. First off, right behind me sat a man, basically from the same generation as my own children; He was accompanied by his attractive wife, Florene. It didn’t take me very long to get into a very moving conversation with them. His name was Ken Odgers and his dad was a Platoon Sergeant in Headquarters Company, 67th Armored Infantry Battalion.
Ken`s dad was killed in the Ruhr Pocket on April 13, 1945. A day that ultimately became one of the most tragic in the Division’s combat history. On that same day A Company was ambushed in the village of Kemper, and suffered the most casualties of our combat experiences. My Platoon Sergeant (and Platoon Leader) Eldon Miller was severely wounded in the leg, and was hospitalized in England. I never saw Eldon again. It happened on a Friday the 13th, to the 13th Armored Division… (We didn’t get the name Black Cat Division for nothing).
For once I was glad that Texas journey’s take a long time. As we rode along, I sat and listened to a young man describe his reasons for being at the reunion. A heart wrenching story, but so down to earth real. The entire 13th Armored Division, including Ken`s dad, left Brownwood just after Christmas 1944, on our journey to Europe. Ken’s pregnant mother remained in Brownwood for Ken’s birth. She gave birth to Ken on January 18, 1945, while his dad was with the rest of us in our convoy at sea, heading for the war zone. His dad was killed before he was able to see his newborn son. He was killed serving his country with the13th Armored Division on that same April 13th, upon which the Division took so many casualties. Ken came to the reunion to honor a dad he never met. He was taking his dad’s place at the reunion. He was now with those who were with his dad when he died. So deeply moving. So memorable…
A reality struck me, right between the eyes, as I sat and listened on a long bus ride to visit the place where I got my first taste of the Army: Fort Hood (then Camp Hood) Texas. I sat there and listened to a young man describe his reasons for being at the reunion. A heart wrenching story, but so down to earth real. His dad was killed before he was even born. He was killed serving his country along with all of the other members of the 13th Armored Division who were attending the reunion. He just wanted to be there among them. He was now with those who were with his dad when he died.
To top it all off, a capstone moment came on the next day of the reunion, It occurred when a solemn memorial service was conducted honoring our fallen comrades. Who should appear as bugler, but Ken, the same young man who was there to represent his dad. He brought an antique trumpet (which in this instance was played as a bugle) and rendered a most soulful version of Taps. The sound was so deeply moving, and was coupled with a deeply expressed love from his heart. He was bidding goodbye to a dad he never knew. It brought tears.
The values and the memories that the bugle evoked, drove deep into my heart. It made me realize how much we all need each other. How important to just be with those who shared in the fighting of evil forces. Forces who sought the destruction of us and our families. It stirred feelings of camaraderie and closeness.
We were there for our families and our survival. Now I could really see what reunions are all about. What was going on. Being with those who were there. Being with their families. Being thankful for that opportunity. A relighting was occurring right in front of me. I didn’t realize it until almost 70 years later. Such a moving story…
Ken, Florene, and I were with friends. Memories were shared. A son`s rendition of Taps shined light on his father’s being.
Ken Odgers
Born April 18, 1945
Son of Frank Odgers, HQ Co. 67th AIB
13th Armored Division,
KIA, April 13, 1945