Connecticut's Veterans of the 43rd Finally Get Memorial

History lessons teach us the battles and the dates, the statistics and the outcome. It is only through stories passed down through the generations that we are introduced to the men and women behind the fight.

Veterans of the Army's 43rd Infantry Division gathered again Friday to share their stories and witness the groundbreaking for their newest memorial.

The ceremony began with David Thiede, secretary and treasurer for the 43rd Infantry Division Veterans Association and son of 43rd veteran Walter Thiede. 

Thiede recalled, "My father didn't talk a lot about his experiences even though I was interested. He did talk about how he loved New Zealand ... or how he couldn't shave for a time because he had what they called jungle rot. I do know this — they must have eaten a lot of rice out there, because since he came home from the war, Dad never even wanted to see rice on his dinner plate again."

The 43rd was activated on Feb. 24, 1941, and fought in World War II as well as the Korean War until it was deactivated in July 1953. The 43rd distinguished itself during World War II by being awarded 11,802 medals, 7,610 of which were Purple Hearts.

While the 43rd was permanently deactivated in the 1990s because of budget cuts, individual units with lineage to the 43rd are still active today.

"In fact," Thiede pointed out, "individual units of the 43rd have served in every major conflict," including conflicts from the Revolutionary War to Afghanistan and Iraq.

After his father's death, Thiede said he started to research the 43rd.

"I found out there were 43rd Division memorials in Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont. There was even one in Camp Blanding in Florida where the Division trained. But there was no memorial in Connecticut," Thiede said. "I decided that it was past due for Connecticut to have a 43rd memorial, and I set about the design."

Thiede proceded to bring drawings to reuinions to get input from the veterans and decide on a design. The memorial was funded by the sale of laser-engraved bricks that will surround the memorial as well as general donations.

"When I was approached by the 43rd, I was very welcoming and wanted be sure that they knew that they could create this memorial here (at the state veterans cemetery)," said Commissioner of the State Department of Veterans Affairs Dr. Linda Schwartz.

"But after listening and reading about the very impressive history of this unit and their connection to our own 102nd Infantry of our National Guard, it seemed even more fitting that they would have a marker of their service here," said Schwartz. 

Guest speaker Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Joseph Perkins addressed the crowd.

"I felt real good when I found out that the monument was going to be put here. They made that decision, so I took part in organizing and helping make sure that today goes off real well and we're looking forward I think in the September timeframe to see the actual monument be placed on its pedestal here."

"I look out and I see some of the guys I actually served with," said Perkins. "My old commanding officer, I guess I shouldn't call him old, he's here, which is great for me. And to see a lot of the guys, my peers, my sergeant major that I served well with for quite a few years. So this is great to see some of these people. So it's an honor and a pleasure and I wish you well."

Middletown Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano was in attendance and briefly spoke at the ceremony. 

“It is fitting and proper that we dedicate this little patch of ground right here for all those who served in the 43rd, including those who are living and those who have passed on,” said Giuliano. 

Another guest speaker in attendance, National Commander of the 43rd Infantry Division Veterans Association, Col. William Coffey, addressed the veterans and their families.

"You stand up to be seen, you speak up to be heard and you shut up to be appreciated," said Coffey of public speaking. "If you look up 'monument' in the dictionary, it tells you different things that can become monuments. The key word through out all the definitions is 'remembrance.' We are here to remember a unit ... it's all really about the people.

"John Kennedy put it in a nice way — 'Poor is the nation that has no heroes, shameful is the nation that, having them, forgets.' And that's what we're here today to do is to remember the people that made that monument possible."

He concluded, "Will Rogers once said, 'We all can't be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap when they go by.' Thank you for coming today and clapping with me."

After the groundbreaking, speakers, veterans and their families mingled with each other and the press. Coffey shared his feelings on America's rememberance of veterans.

"It varies," said Coffey, recalling the National Anthem at a recent baseball game. "If I had a dollar for every hat I saw still on, it would have covered the price of my ticket, and those are expensive tickets. But then there are the kids that put on little skits and read poems."

Coffey says the engraved brick order form can be found online. For more information on the 43d's 65th Reunion, visit the Winged Victory website.

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