WWII Veteran Dies, Donations Sought for Proper Burial

One of our WWII veterans who attended the 2019 reunion, Donald E. Lundquist of DeLand, FL, passed on May 29, one day before his 94^th birthday.  He had only distant relatives survive him.  His family cemetery is in Brockton, MA.  Unfortunately, he did not have enough money to secure a proper burial at this distant cemetery.  His Power of Attorney contacted the 2019 reunion chairman, Joseph Piekunka, to explain this unfortunate situation and asked if anything could be done. 

Our association is making arrangements for a proper burial and asking for donations.  Likewise, the 314^th Infantry Regiment at Fort Dix, NJ, has generously agreed to send a detail to provide a proper burial ceremony.  The burial arrangements will cost the association about $400 and will likely take place at 10 am, June 26, 2020.  If you would like to make a donation, you may do so at http://314usa.org/ecwid-314usa-store/  Alternatively, you may make a check payable to:  314^th Infantry Association of WWII, and send to:  c/o Joe Piekunka,  9 Kellogg Road, Cortland, NY  13045.   Joe will also attend the ceremony to represent our association.

It should be noted here that Fort Dix is very responsive to requests made by our association.  With numerous military budget cuts and limited resources, they are not only sending a detail - they are also sending a chaplain, reducing our costs to ~ $400.  Likewise, Colonel Maybouer, Commander of the 174^th Infantry Brigade, is taking a day from his busy schedule to attend the burial ceremony.  The colonel never met Lundquist as the colonel had to be out-of-town unexpectedly during the 2019 joint reunion.  

Lundquist was a corporal during WWII assigned to the 314^th regimental HQ.  He journeyed to the 2019 reunion knowing it would be his last. He was unable to walk on his own.  A Vietnam veteran, Al Haslam, who had not meet Lundquist before the announcement of the reunion, graciously agreed to escort his new acquaintance.  Lundquist spoke directly with the troops at Fort Dix during the reunion about his experiences in WWII. A full obituary may be found at: https://www.allensummerhillfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Donald-Lundquist-2/#!/Obituary

Lundquist deserves a proper burial. Our association exists to remember and honor our WWII veterans.  We hope you are able to help - relative to your means.  For those nearby wishing to attend, the cemetery is:   Melrose Cemetery, 88 N. Pearl St., Brockton, MA  02301.   Plot #24 on North Div., Section M.


   WWII Veterans Left to Right, Donald Lundquist, Robert Vondale, Peter Wisnowski, at Fort Dix, October 2019.



2020 Joint Reunion Cancelled Due to Pandemic

The 2020 Joint Reunion will not be held as planned in Charleston SC due to uncertainties about travel restrictions and probable low attendance relating to COVID-19.  Each year, the two associations (314^th and 315^th associations of WWII) take turns alternating who will plan the next meeting.  The 2021 reunion will be planned by the 315^th Infantry Association.  Pending a formal hotel contract, we anticipate it will be held at Wyndham Garden Hotel, Mount Pleasant, SC.  The dates have not been set so room reservations are not possible as of yet.  If you had already made reservations for this year, their phone number to cancel is +1 843-606-1506. 

We will pass along 2021 reunion information to you as it becomes available.


Resources

314th Facebook      https://www.facebook.com/314thInfantryAssociation/
315th Facebook      https://www.facebook.com/315thinfantryregimentwwii/
Friends of the 79th  https://www.facebook.com/groups/301455523233899/
79th Div. of WWII    https://www.facebook.com/79thInfantryDivisionWWII/