In Germany in April of 1945 my father, Edward Paul Cowley, Thomas Manthey and a company of soldiers of the 94th Infantry Division came upon a camp filled with suffering and dying prisoners, they stayed for a few hours and then were told to move on as medical help was arriving shortly. They came home from the war and rebuilt their lives as citizens. They silently suffered, each in their own way, with the memories of the horrors they had witnessed. They never looked for recognition as liberators.
These humble soldiers seemed unaware that it was their toil and progress that had freed the victims from their captures. During the war my father wrote home to his family as often as possible. My grandmother, Catherine Cowley cherished every letter, carefully cataloged them and held them in safekeeping. In one letter dated April 29th, 1945, my father wrote that he had witnessed the atrocities. This letter started our pursuit of Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry Division. The National Holocaust Museum and the Center of Military History have recognized 35 U.S. Army divisions for their heroism, gallantry, and help in liberating prisoners from brutal Nazi rule. Each year, the names and flags of these units are presented in a moving tribute at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for the Days of Remembrance ceremony. The Division flag of each Unit is also displayed in rotation at The National Holocaust Museum. Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Edward Kennedy and his fine staff we were able to collect the required documents and submitted a formal request for Liberator Status in Nov. 2007. Sadly the application was erroneously denied, as the camp liberated wasn't an "extermination camp". Since then Senators Kennedy & Kerry continued to seek Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry Division. Craig Crawford and Don Imus assisted in bringing national attention to this cause. Senator Kennedy was working on this until the week of his death. Sec. of the Army, Pete Geren was assisting the Senators. Unfortunately since Sen. Kennedy's death a new Sec. of the Army has been appointed and the request has fallen through the cracks. Time is precious for the Veterans of WWII- Over 1000 Vets die each day. President Obama could easily put history to rights by signing an Executive Order to grant the 94th Liberator Status.
Please honor these brave soldiers who sacrificed for our Country and the untold victims and their families of the Holocaust by signing this petition and please spread the word. If you are interested in learning more or reading the 230 letters Edward Cowley wrote home during the War, please visit our website http://www.94campaign.blogspot.com
In Germany in April of 1945 my father, Edward Paul Cowley, Thomas Manthey and a company of soldiers of the 94th Infantry Division came upon a camp filled with suffering and dying prisoners, they stayed for a few hours and then were told to move on as medical help was arriving shortly. They came home from the war and rebuilt their lives as citizens. They silently suffered, each in their own way, with the memories of the horrors they had witnessed. They never looked for recognition as liberators.
These humble soldiers seemed unaware that it was their toil and progress that had freed the victims from their captures. During the war my father wrote home to his family as often as possible. My grandmother, Catherine Cowley cherished every letter, carefully cataloged them and held them in safekeeping. In one letter dated April 29th, 1945, my father wrote that he had witnessed the atrocities. This letter started our pursuit of Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry Division. The National Holocaust Museum and the Center of Military History have recognized 35 U.S. Army divisions for their heroism, gallantry, and help in liberating prisoners from brutal Nazi rule. Each year, the names and flags of these units are presented in a moving tribute at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for the Days of Remembrance ceremony. The Division flag of each Unit is also displayed in rotation at The National Holocaust Museum. Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Edward Kennedy and his fine staff we were able to collect the required documents and submitted a formal request for Liberator Status in Nov. 2007. Sadly the application was erroneously denied, as the camp liberated wasn't an "extermination camp". Since then Senators Kennedy & Kerry continued to seek Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry Division. Craig Crawford and Don Imus assisted in bringing national attention to this cause. Senator Kennedy was working on this until the week of his death. Sec. of the Army, Pete Geren was assisting the Senators. Unfortunately since Sen. Kennedy's death a new Sec. of the Army has been appointed and the request has fallen through the cracks. Time is precious for the Veterans of WWII- Over 1000 Vets die each day. President Obama could easily put history to rights by signing an Executive Order to grant the 94th Liberator Status.
Please honor these brave soldiers who sacrificed for our Country and the untold victims and their families of the Holocaust by signing this petition and please spread the word. If you are interested in learning more or reading the 230 letters Edward Cowley wrote home during the War, please visit our website http://www.94campaign.blogspot.com
Dear President Obama, We the undersigned request that your immediate attention to the application for Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry Division.
In April 1945, shortly after the battle at Ludwigshaven, Germany, a group of infantry soldiers from Patton's Army, the 94th Infantry Division, liberated a concentration camp near there. Primary evidence was uncovered in 2007 and with the help of Senator Kennedy a formal request for Liberator Status was submitted to the Center for US Military History. The request was erroneously denied. It has been rumored that the Center has decided that as a matter of procedure no future Divisions will be granted Liberator Status.
We are losing over 1000 WWII Vets a day. Our brave soldiers actions need to be recognized and honored. This is a part of the Holocaust Victims history, which need to be remembered. Never again! Sen. Kennedy and his staff worked furiously to rectify this cavalier treatment of history and our soldiers. Senator Kennedy and Kerry's office submitted the application to the Sec. of the Army, Pete Geren, who personally assured Sen. Kennedy that he would attend to the matter. Since Sen. Kennedy's death this issue has fallen through the cracks, and John Mchugh is now the Sec. of the Army Please rectify this injustice and give these men the place of honor they deserve. Please honor your friend Sen. Kennedy by continuing his fine work. Please grant the 94th Infantry Infantry Division Liberator Status through Executive Order. Please do this in a timely fashion so so that as many possible Veterans will live to know that their efforts were acknowledged and honored and to see their Division's flag flown at the National Holocaust Museum. Thank you for your prompt attention.
"Any Nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure." Abraham Lincoln
We signed the "Liberator Status for Patton's Army, the 94th Inf. Div." petition!
# 102:
12:33 pm PST, Nov 20,Carmine Spinelli, New Jersey
# 101:
5:25 am PST, Nov 20,Elizabeth Henry, New York
# 100:
3:05 pm PST, Nov 19,David Spinelli, Washington
Thank you to all the veterans whose sacrifices before allow me to be safe and free today.
# 99:
11:50 am PST, Nov 19,William Mccammon, Oregon
god bless everyone
# 98:
11:20 am PST, Nov 19,Donna Kephart Mccammon, Oregon
tank you uncle ed for your bravery and making this a better world
# 97:
10:55 am PST, Nov 18,Lindley Speers, Vermont
# 96:
9:13 am PST, Nov 16,Michael Apt, Texas
I am the son of Lt. Colonel Donald g. Apt, deceased 94th division 301st artillery, company A and I feel these men deserve this. My father said that they ran across a camp but couldnt elaborate to me the details as they were not suitible for a child to know. Michael Apt
# 95:
5:35 am PST, Nov 16,Carolyn Lewis Bolinger, Iowa
# 94:
2:26 am PST, Nov 16,Alfred Donovan, United Kingdom
These surviving members of the 94th Infantry Division should be given the honour and status that they deserve. They not only fought the war for the US but for all of us. We in Europe owe a great debt to these brave soldiers one which we can never repay.Please grant them the status they deserve.
# 93:
6:30 pm PST, Nov 15,David Speers, Pennsylvania
# 92:
5:58 pm PST, Nov 15,Tom Lewis, Montana
These men are heros and deserve the recognition! This is lomg overdue!
# 91:
2:12 pm PST, Nov 15,Betsy Reiss, Vermont
Recognition deserved by WWII war heroes must come swifty because of their age.
# 90:
6:12 am PST, Nov 15,Jon Speers, Maine
# 89:
6:39 pm PST, Nov 14,Craig Peel, North Carolina
These were young men who put their lives on hold to serve their nation with valor. Most of them put feelings aside and suffered greatly in silence after the war. They are true heroes who deserve this long withheld recognition!
# 88:
2:47 pm PST, Nov 14,Name not displayed, Minnesota
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 87:
7:49 am PST, Nov 14,Daniel Meyers, Ohio
# 86:
7:44 am PST, Nov 14,Debbie Meyers, Ohio
# 85:
2:05 pm PST, Nov 13,Ben Cowley, Kentucky
# 84:
1:00 pm PST, Nov 13,John Roselli, Ohio
# 83:
8:42 pm PST, Nov 12,Micah Agnoli, Massachusetts
# 82:
8:16 pm PST, Nov 12,Louis hall jr Hall, Massachusetts
My grandfather Edward Cowley was in the 94th along with Tom Manthey and others that aided in the liberation of camps. please grant them liberator status before they are no longer able to enjoy the honor that is due to them! Thank you!
# 81:
8:05 pm PST, Nov 12,Karen Manthey, Minnesota
Tom Manthey is a humble man who would never seek recognition. I'm aware he has haunting memories of the war, but he went on to live a life of service to his community and to be a wonderful husband and father. Honoring him and his commarades is the right thing, and long overdue. Please act now -his daughter, Karen Manthey
# 80:
5:48 pm PST, Nov 12,Virginia Manthey, Ohio
since my name was spelled incorrectly, I am repeating -- My husband, Thomas Mnthey, served in the 94th and r4eceived the bronze star. He has only recently been able to discuss the horrific conditions in the camp they liberated. These men deserve to be honored. Thank you for doing so, President Obama
# 79:
5:42 pm PST, Nov 12,Tony Mann, South Carolina
# 78:
5:20 pm PST, Nov 12,Rosa Nunez, New York
let those that suffer by being withness to other sacrify being honor as their memory must by now be a peace
# 77:
4:47 pm PST, Nov 12,Sandy Larson Gonzales, Texas
My father too served in Patton's 3rd Army in WW2. He was from WI, Loyd Arthur Larson, a MP, and I know personally the emotionally wounds he carried as a result of his service.Many things these men would never talk about again.They carried the torture of the battlefields home with them. But carry on they did as the hero's they all were. My father got his college degree in fighting Nazi's. Until his dying day, Patton would always be a hero to him and a father figure. Many things these men would never talk about again. My FIL Eli Gonzales also served in Patton's Third Army as a Ranger, he from Texas. their children, though born 1800 miles from each other would one day meet and wed, thanks to these hero's.
Do the right thing, and honor these American hero's!
# 76:
9:31 am PST, Nov 12,Gene Dunlap, Tennessee
I was in the 101st from 62-64 and really appreciate everything the proceeding generation done for us. I had a Brother in WW 11 and one in Korea. I missed Vietnam by a few days as I was being discharged. Gene Dunlap
# 75:
5:43 am PST, Nov 12,Care'n King, California
I have known members of these families for many years. The example set by their father is shown in the amount of public service they continue to provide. This is an tribute to their legacy and all those who serve in the Armed Services and other agencies.
# 74:
5:30 am PST, Nov 12,Virginia Manyhey, Ohio
Presideny Obama, I pray that you will act on this matter as soon as possible. these brave men (My husband was just 18 when he went to Europe) deserve recognition for their compassion and dedication. My husband was not able to talk about the horrors he witnessed at this camp for years after he came home. Thank you
# 73:
8:34 pm PST, Nov 11,Nancy Wolter, Arizona
# 72:
8:14 pm PST, Nov 11,Frank Read, Tennessee
We need to stand behind or Military. Those mem should be reconised and you are the one to do it.
# 71:
7:27 pm PST, Nov 11,Kerry Snyder, California
# 70:
7:08 pm PST, Nov 11,Jim Manthey, Minnesota
# 69:
6:29 pm PST, Nov 11,Sarah Ware, Tennessee
let's support our past and present troops with honor
# 68:
3:49 pm PST, Nov 11,Charles Albert Escoffery, California
Most of the time we hear/see the fighting our soldiers are engaged in. For a group of soldiers to "help" people during war time is something that shouldn't be over looked. Please grant 'liberator' status to the 94th Infantry Division.
# 67:
2:38 pm PST, Nov 11,Gerald Schubert, Virginia
# 66:
2:03 pm PST, Nov 11,M jane LEWIS, Massachusetts
I AM A FRIEND OF KATHLEEN COWLEY AND HER DAD, ED COWLEY MEMBER OF THE 94TH, FROM WHOM A COLLECTION OF WAR LETTERS TO HIS MOTHER REVEALED THE FACT THAT HIS INFANTRY DIVISION ACTUALLY LIBERATED A CAMP IN GERMANY. ED COWLEY WAS AN ARTIST AND AN ASTUTE OBSERVER.
FOR MANY YEARS NOW I HAVE SUPPORTED KAHTLEEN'S ENDEAVOR TO HAVE THESE SOLDIERS RECOGNIZED. SHE HAS ENDURED MANY HIGHS, YET MANY MORE DISAPPOINTING LOWS WHILE PURSUING THE JUST ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THESE FINE MEN.
IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT THESE SOLDIERS ARE SLOWLY DRIFTING AWAY.
WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME, I URGE YOU TO PUSH THE REQUEST THROUGH AS SENATOR KENNEDY WOULD HAVE HAD HE NOT PASSED DURING THE PROCESS
# 65:
2:02 pm PST, Nov 11,Edward Van Buren, New York
I'm convinced the 94th qualifies for Liberator status, and hope Congress and the President will take action while some of them are still around to see it.
# 64:
1:58 pm PST, Nov 11,Scott Bell, North Carolina
My father was in the Marine Corp during WWII in the South Pacific and my father-in-law was in your 94th division during WWII. I respect and honor anything that anybody does to promote and recognize these heroes that fought for our freedoms.
# 63:
11:36 am PST, Nov 11,Ann Medlock, Washington
# 62:
11:18 am PST, Nov 11,Bonnie M. (Turner) Walton, Kentucky
I believe these veterans should be honored to the full extent they are due. They did their duty and experienced more than most of us can comprehend. Give 'em their recognition!
# 61:
10:42 am PST, Nov 11,Eileen Sien, New Jersey
Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.
- Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 4:8
# 60:
10:13 am PST, Nov 11,Jim Bishop, Massachusetts
These guys fought in a real war. What do you not having served paper pushers have to lose by recognizing them. Some play time at work on your computer. Jim Bishop 1st MarDiv RVN 1968 to 1970
# 59:
9:39 am PST, Nov 11,James Ross, New York
My Dad was with the Seventh and he made it clear to me the 94th were certainly liberators. From the generation who enjoyed the sacrifice of the greatest generation, I salute you all.
# 58:
9:25 am PST, Nov 11,Brian Phelan, New York
From one veteran(US Navy Navigator, 1980's) to another I salute you, and all the WWII vets Sir! Thank you from the bottom of my heart....
# 57:
8:44 am PST, Nov 11,Gilbert Denizard, Texas
Please take a moment from your day to gives these brave soldiers the recognition they deserve.
# 56:
8:35 am PST, Nov 11,DAN MONICO, New Jersey
TO THE GREATEST GENERATION WHICH INCLUDED FAMILY MEMBERS-YOU ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED-
# 55:
8:35 am PST, Nov 11,James Berger, New York
Every time I hear our National Anthem or Taps played on a bugle....I shed some tears. Every time....I reflect on the selfless sacrifices American brave men AND women throughout our history have made to obtain and keep us living in the freedom so many take for granted.
A sincere "Thank You!" to all Veteran's past/present and future who will continue to answer freedom's call ~
God has truly blessed the U.S.A.
# 54:
8:27 am PST, Nov 11,Eric Fine, Massachusetts
# 53:
6:32 am PST, Nov 11,Phillip Bobrowski, New York
All veteran's deserve the recognition they so humbly denied themselves. My father, a member of the 2nd Artillery Group, 2nd Corps, Polish Army spoke little of the hardships, struggles, or atrocities of war.
Each and every combat veteran deserves any thanks we can give them, to let them know before they die that we can never repay the sacrifices they made.
# 52:
6:28 am PST, Nov 11,Linda Kennedy, New York
# 51:
5:28 am PST, Nov 11,Jane Orsini swint, New York
god bless
