88th ID holds reunion at Stewart; Raider Brigade plays host to the 'greatest generation'

Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Blakeslee | Members of the famed 88th Infantry Division prepare for a tour of Warriors Walk, as part of the “Blue Devils” reunion held on post, July 13-16.  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

07.12.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Blakeslee 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Reminiscing and sharing old war stories, surrounded by their wives and loved ones, soldiers from the renowned 88th Infantry Division held a reunion at Fort Stewart. The reunion was hosted by the 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division from July 13-15.

The 88th Infantry Division, or the “Blue Devils” as they are commonly called, was first activated July 15, 1942. January 1944, the first elements from this unit arrived in Europe during World War II, ready to give Hitler and Mussolini all that they could handle. This historical entry onto the battlefields of WW2 marked the first time that an all-draftee American unit would take part in direct combat.

“These soldiers are a living historical treasure,” explained 1st Lt. Adam Cvetkovski, a soldier assigned to 5/7 Cav. and the action officer assigned to this event. “The things this unit accomplished are an example for all of us to follow.”

The visiting retirees were taken on a tour of Fort Stewart which included the Warrior Walk, lunch at the Raider Brigade Dining Facility, the Fort Stewart Museum and a trip to a motor pool to see some interactive static displays of equipment where 1-3 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1HBCT, soldiers were on-hand to answer any questions the “Blue Devils” may have had.

“This is so amazing,” said Jarred Anderson, a member of the 88th ID. “If we had equipment like this we could have whooped old Hitler’s butt much quicker.”

This reunion was well-received by both groups of Soldiers, old and the new.

“I feel a real connection to our past,” said Cvetkovski. “The Blue Devils joked, had fun and interacted well with our troops. You could tell our soldier had just as much fun joking back and rubbing elbows with these heroes of old.”

As the sun began to set on Fort Stewart, with “Old Glory” still proudly waving over our base, a sparkle of fire lit into the eyes of one “Blue Devils as he raised his right hand to his temple in a sharp, crisp salute to the “Stars and Stripes.”

Some 60 years later it is obvious why they still are regarded as the “Greatest Generation” of Americans.

• Date Taken: 07.12.2012
• Date Posted: 07.17.2012 10:55
• Story ID: 91674
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US