Photo By Aimee Malone | Children sing “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” Dec. 3 at the annual Fort...... read more read more
Subscribe
79 Years Ago — Dec. 25, 1942
Christmas greetings from Camp McCoy went to the entire world Christmas Day from 4:45 to 5 p.m., as music by Al Kavelin’s dance band, playing a the West Service Club, was broadcast via NBC’s Blue Network as part of the gigantic Coca-Cola “Radio Spotlight Band” program, which featured rhythms of 43 nationally known bands.
The West Service Club was “jammed to the rafters” for the gala Christmas afternoon dance, broadcast, and formal buffet-supper, the latter attended by the La Crosse “Victory Belles” and 301st Ordnance Regiment soldiers only.
Enlisted men unable to crowd into the festively decorated Service Club, which was given a “Night Club” atmosphere for the afternoon dance and broadcast, listened to Kavelin’s music via barrack radios .and joined with hundreds of buddies at home listening while on furloughs.
The nationwide show was the first of its kind broadcast from Camp McCoy.
75 Years Ago — Dec. 20, 1946
In line with the spirit of the Christmas season, troops of Task Force Frost donated more than $377 to be used for a Christmas party for the children of the State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children in Sparta, Wis.
Several weeks beforehand, a committee representing the various Task Force units visited the school and, on behalf of the men, presented the 300 children with $370. The committee was so impressed by the gratitude of the youngsters and the real need for the money that they decided to raise enough to be used for a Christmas party, so that the funds obtained could buy much-needed year-round athletic equipment and other playthings.
Task Force troops gave generously, and as a result, the children of the State School were given a Christmas party at Service Club 3. Refreshments were served, and individual gifts were given to each child by Santa Claus.
37 Years Ago — Dec. 13, 1984
Sending Christmas cards with photographs of family members to loved ones across the miles has become a tradition for many families.
Patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Tomah had the opportunity to send a Christmas card and photograph, thanks to the State of Wisconsin Military Order of the Purple Heart.
“Operation Holiday,” the name for the Christmas card program, began in 1980 as a trial project. The program is usually run in early December to ensure that there is plenty of time for the cards with photographs to reach their destination.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart finances the entire cost of the project, which includes cards, instant-type photographs, envelopes, and postage, from proceeds generated from their thrift stores around the state. It was anticipated that between 600 and 700 cards would be sent that year.
For two days, seven volunteers visit the wards taking photographs, placing the photographs in cards, addressing envelopes, and attaching postage. Then the cards are mailed.
Patients had a choice of posing with Santa Claus, who made a two-day appearance for the event, or by themselves in a holiday setting complete with a Christmas tree and festive decorations.
75 Years Ago — Dec. 13, 1946
“Task Force Frost” was the appropriate title given to the Army ground forces group that engaged in experimental winter maneuvers at Camp McCoy during the winter months of 1946.
The purpose of the operation was to obtain additional information on performance of equipment under winter conditions and to study tactics and technique which permitted the Army to function efficiently under cold-wet conditions and in heavy winter snows.
Camp McCoy was selected for the camp’s unpredictable climate and rugged terrain, which forced recognition as an ideal home for one of the three Task Forces that the War Department dispatched to test all types of Army equipment. Task Force “Frost” settled comfortably into their new home and prepared for a long, hard winter. Their winter-long research has become invaluable in the modifications of numerous pieces of military equipment.
Included in the series of tests were demonstrations of tents and shelters, most of them improvised, tests of new types of winter clothing, sleeping bags (which include one type that enables the soldier to fight from his bed if necessary), guns, sleds, and other types of mobile equipment.
The Force spent many weeks in the field, some temperatures going as far as 40 degrees below. Plenty of clothing made outside work easier.
Some units in Task Force Frost were Company C of the 7th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, and Company C of the 6th Tank Battalion.
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2021 15:24 |
| Story ID: | 410921 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, This month in Fort McCoy history: December 2021, by Aimee Malone, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
