A Personal Tribute to the 504th PIR - then and now...
It is with saddened heart, I relay the passing of my dear friend and owner of this site, Hugh Ames, who left many loved ones behind on D-Day, June 6, 2009. I am posting his obituary, which was sent to me by his son Mark. I plan on writing more at a later date, when I've had time to digest his loss. Hugh, I shall miss our chats; no more phone calls from Hawaii.
With much love -
your "webmistress",
Marion
June 6, 2009
Hugh Stanley Ames, 84, of Kailua, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant, died in Castle Medical Center. He was born in Havana, Cuba. He is survived by wife Beatrice, son Mark, daughters Zoe James and Maridee Bonadea, stepchildren Aileen Delgado and Charles Comer Jr., six grandchildren, 13 step-grandchildren and 17 step-great-grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. Tuesday 23 June at St. Anthony's Church in Kailua. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: 1 p.m. at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe.
I would like to thank Command Sergeant Major Dave Henderson, 504th PIR at Ft. Bragg and Edward T. Devlin Secretary, 504th Parachute Infantry Association Inc, for their support and words of encouragement. I I could not have undertaken a 504th personal web page without their help! It makes us all realize and understand that "Once a Devil, Always a Devil."
The "Jump Sequence" audio clip is used with permission of the United States Military Academy Band.
Special thanks go to Bernie Weeks for his permission to reprint the history-filled "Combat Record of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment." Read Colonel Tucker's preface letter to this book.
Regards,
Hugh Ames CMSgt (E9) Retired USAF
Co E, 2nd Bn, 504th PIR
WWII
The Paratroopers St. Michael Prayer
Lord God, hear my call, as through the sky I fall.
Satan you once were cast from here.
My static line have hooked to hold,
and then my chute to make unfold.
Suspension lines untangled be
and open my canopy.
From other jumpers float me clear,
As safely down I persevere.
On angels wings, I hit the ground.
My Father's favor, I have found.
In thanks, St. Michael I do pray.
For God has helped me--ALL THE WAY.
Amen
(Thanks to Chaplain Lawrence Krause's "Farewell to the 82d Airborne Division and the 82d Airborne Division Association publication "PARAGLIDE")
