In Memory Of

Edward Schnug

Michael Daly, 83, Dies; Won Medal of Honor

FAIRFIELD — The military trappings at the funeral Mass for Medal of Honor recipient Michael J. Daly paid tribute to one man's remarkable service to his country. From the processional hymn "America the Beautiful" to the recessional "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," from the flag-draped coffin to the military honor guard — it was a solemn salute to an American war hero. But the words spoken in St. Pius X Church Tuesday morning told the other side of Daly, who joined the U.S. Army at 19 and soon after found himself landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He died July 25 at 83 from pancreatic cancer. In her eulogy, daughter Deidre Daly spoke of the love between her father and mother, Maggie. "For over 50 years they shared a romance like no other," she said. He was, she said, "poetry in motion, a legend, a giant of a man." For the Rev. Samuel Scott, meeting Michael Daly in 1995 as a newly ordained priest was a bit of serendipity. "I was reading a military history of the Second World War," Scott recalled, and found himself reading about a man he'd just met. "The day I offered him the last sacrament, he said to me, 'Father, we need peacemakers. Anyone can shoot a gun' We need to stop and think about those words." Scott said Daly's friendship over the years "made me a better priest" and more aware of his responsibilities to others. "He led us gently, quietly, but persistently, to our better selves," Scott said. Daly's last request, he said, was, "Could I look after Maggie." Then, Scott said, came a handshake "strong and firm and finally from his death bed he saluted me. Today, Michael, we salute you. Well done, good and faithful servant." Daly, who spent a year at West Point, received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the siege of Nuremberg with the Third Division of the 7th Army. His unit exposed to machine gun fire, Daly ordered his men to take cover and went on alone, single-handedly defending his unit against German assaults. He was also awarded three Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with "V" for his acts of bravery. Upon returning home to Fairfield on a dedicated train, Deidre Daly said, her then 21-year-old father saw the crowd of townspeople waiting at the train station in the pouring rain — for him. His reaction, she said, was to comment, "This is the swellest thing that ever happened to me." Following the funeral Mass, Daly was buried with full military honors at Oak Lawn Cemetery. (Reprinted from The Connecticut Post-http://www.connpost.com-By Genevieve Reilly-07/30/2008)

Shaffe T. Courey

Shaffe Thomas Courey, 90, of Pittsburg, Calif., formerly of Sioux City, died Saturday, May 17, 2008, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. Shaffe was born Sept. 16, 1917, in Lennox, S.D., the son of Mose T. and Amelia (Michael) Courey. He came to Sioux City as a small child. He attended St. Joseph Grade School, Woodrow Wilson Junior High and graduated from Central High School in 1935. After high school, he played softball and baseball for minor league teams in the area. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army. During World War II, he served in the European and African Theaters. He served in France and Italy and was wounded three times. He received the Purple Heart Medal. In 1943, he married Patricia Ann Mertes in Louisville, Ky. Pat died on May 8, 2001, in Pittsburg, Calif. After the war, he attended Morningside College and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education. He taught school and coached in the area for five years. He then moved to Pittsburg, Calif., where he taught school for 24 years. He did volunteer work for the Disabled American Veterans and was a past national commander. He also was a member of the Purple Heart Association and he belonged to the Elks Lodge in Pittsburg. He is survived by two sisters, Mary Louise (James) Glann of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Sister Mary George Courey, O.S.F. of Dubuque, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; three sisters, Adel Kidwell, Edna Atkins and Doris Paul; and three brothers, twins in infancy and George T., who died during World War II.

Robert Lichtenberger

MOPHEAGLE is soaring above us all today, as he lays in his final resting place at The Texas Cemetery, in Austin Texas. From deep in the heart of Texas, many Purple Heart Veterans came to honor the retired Army Colonel who had served as mentor, brother, and devoted husband and father.  Sue Lichtenberger, Bob’s wife, gave a very courageous address on Monday evening at the Chapel were family and friends came to celebrate the life of Robert Lichtenberger.  In her heart rendering talk, Sue related stories about how much the, “Purple Heart” extended family meant to him. Personally, Bob was one of the Past National Commander’s that was always there to help with advice, and could set the record straight. I will miss his sharp ability to cut to the chase and get to the focal point of an issue.  At graveside, Col. Lichtenberger received a true Military burial, including full color guard from the 1st Cavalry, Scottish Rite Bagpiper, Mounted Cavalry Horse, Twentyone gun Salute, Taps, and a fly-over from a Blackhawk helicopter from Ft. Sam Houston. The final resting place of our Past National Commander sits under a Live Oak Tree within full view of Stephen F. Austin’s Monument and grave. Bob Lichtenberger will be remembered as a loyal Patriot, who always saw his missions completed. Today, and for all time, the Eyes of Texas are upon him.

Norman L. Humes Jr.

Norman L. Humes, Jr., 59, of Independence, Mo., jumped into Airborne Heaven on Saturday, May 24, 2008, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Visitation and services will be held at Mt. Washington Cemetery, 614 Brookside, Independence, MO 64053, on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at 10 a.m. He leaves behind his loving wife, Karen Humes; sister Donna Jean Wells; five children, Brian, David, Christine, Jennifer and Kaleena, and 10 grandchildren, in addition to numerous veterans and service members whom he has touched deeply. He served with distinction in the U.S. Army for 12 years, receiving numerous medals, commendations and awards, including the Purple Heart. Norman spent the last 13 years of his life devoting himself charitably to working with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, helping countless veterans with their affairs. His first love was his family, followed closely by his brothers and sisters in arms of the U.S. Armed Forces, which he made a pride of to serve in their time of need.

Please visit the online notice for Norm by clicking here

Charles William “Jink” Foster

Charles William Foster passed away at age 75 on May 8th, 2008 in Manteca, Ca. from natural causes. He was born in Osceola, Arkansas on March 4th, 1933 to W.C. and Emily Foster, one of 15 children in all. At age 21 he married Elizabeth Grace Armocido on April 18th, 1954 in Hernando, Mississippi rearing 7 children of their own. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Elizabeth “Liz” Foster of Escalon, Ca. Children Donna Folley of Reedley, Ca., Charles Foster of Marysville, Ca., William Foster of Reno, Nv., David Foster of Clovis, Ca., Sharon Pitchford of Fresno, Ca., and Gary Foster of Escalon, Ca.22 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and Daisy (Pet). Jink is survived by siblings Vera Carr of Lepanto, Ar., Betty Calvert of Breman Al., Benny Landrum of Cullman, Al., and Jody Foster of Mississippi. He is preceded in death by son Allen Dale Foster, grandson Jacob Scott Foster. Jink is preceded in death by siblings Opal Hale, Martha Todd, Vester Foster, Doyce Foster, Julia Wilkerson, Nell Light, Louise Purser, W.C. Foster, Donald Foster and Patricia Bozeman. Charles found the military to be a means of seeing the world by joining the U.S. Army in 1951. He proudly served as Corporal in “K” Company, 3rd Battalion, 19th Regiment of the 24th Infantry Taro Division. He fought in the Korean War where he sustained significant injury Oct. 13, 1951 for which he was awarded the Purple Heart medal. He held several other medals including the Combat Infantry Badge, UN Service Medal, National Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal w/Bronze Star. He was proud of the service he had done and stood up for it and this country every day of his life. He was active in veteran’s organizations. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veteran’s (DAV), American Veterans (AMVETS), Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW), Korean War Vets of America (KWVA), American Legion, Shorties of Stockton (SOS) a local organization of ‘crusty old sailors‘ and most notably held a position as Treasurer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 204 in Stockton, California. One of his greatest passions was to get together at the ‘office’ with the “New York Donut Gang” for coffee to fix the political processes. Although he was of modest education in school, he found that knowledge was power and went on to teach himself whatever interested him, mostly politics where he found great joy in expressing his opinions to lay persons and politicians alike. In fact, one grandchild once bought him a coffee cup with the caption “Everyone is entitled to my opinion” and he lived by it.

Anthony S. Kania