Archive for category WWII Stories
A Veterans Day Salute
Posted by Joe Reljac in Family News, Family stories, Uncategorized, WWII Stories on November 26, 2010
Pittsburgh loves their veterans!
 That’s what a certain young lady wrote to me after a very moving experience at Heinz Field. They love their Steelers too, so it was appropriate that the two groups would stand tall on the same field the Sunday after we had celebrated Veteran’s Day across the U.S.
 So seven Pittsburgh veterans crossed the white lines onto the playing surface to the cheers and applause of thousands of fans.  Â
 Including Staff Sergeant Charles S. Reljac.
 The Steeler Football Club recognizes our veterans each year in this manner and through the efforts of Rebecca and some of her co-workers Dad was privileged to be part of the celebration. This all started with a discussion as to whether he would want to do it and would the team accept him as one of the veterans to honor. Once the approval came from the team the idea was presented to Dad. “As long as I don’t have to say something†was his reply. Not a problem, although should that have been necessary we are all quite sure he could manage to talk his way into people’s hearts.
 The big day was approached with a great deal of excitement, and a little planning. Dad was furnished with a great looking winter weight Steeler jacket complete with a World War II patch indicating his veteran status. Family members going to the game joined in dinner prior to heading to the stadium. Once there, Dad and a few of his guests went to a VIP tent where they were joined by the other veterans to prepare for the pregame ceremony.  Those veterans represented the other conflicts of the past 50 years including the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afganistan. Among those there to greet and thank the vets was Steeler president Art Rooney II.
Dad meets Floyd Laughlin, Pearl Harbor veteran
Dad welcomed to Heinz Field by Rebecca
 Everyone was escorted to the field and the sidelines behind the Steeler bench. In addition to Dad another gentleman represented WWII. He was at Pearl Harbor on December 7 so with him and Dad present, both the Pacific and European theaters were accounted for. When these two members of the greatest generation first saw each other they approached and without a word shook hands and hugged. They both knew what it means to have lived all of these years with the memories of war never far from the surface. Â
 Rebecca was asked if she could escort Dad on to the field incase he had trouble walking. She agreed knowing that her real reason was to keep him from charging on to the field ahead of everyone else!
 Then it was prime time.
 The teams had entered the field, the crowd was fired up and we all welled up with pride as our veterans walked to their positions on the field, facing the crowd and the assembled football players, coaches and dignitaries.
 One by one, each veteran was individually introduced via a short bio documenting their military experience as they were shown on the huge end zone screen. At the end of each introduction the crowd roared their appreciation when the veteran snapped a crisp salute. 50,000 voices and 100,000 hands joining together to thank these people, and all other veterans past and present, for the devotion they have displayed to their country. Â
Dad responds to the cheers of the fans
Chills? That is an understatement. Tears? Of course!
 A number of people who were in the stands noted that once the ceremony started most of those in the stadium stopped. Stopped moving in the aisles, stopped buying popcorn and stopped cheering for the Steelers. Their attention and focus shifted to seven figures on the field.
 As the veterans returned to the sidelines there were handshakes and high-fives from the players and coaches. It was evident who the real heroes were that day. The vets gathered on the team bench for a few minutes then once again entered the field to stand behind the flag during the national anthem. Â
The stadium screen shows the veterans together
 After that they enjoyed a quick cart ride off the field and headed to private boxes to watch the game.
 Including one Staff Sergeant Charles Reljac.
 Congratulations Dad, you deserve the recognition. And thank you for your service.
Dad and the Warbirds
Posted by Joe Reljac in WWII Stories on August 19, 2010
We had the chance to take Dad to Allegheny County Airport on Tuesday where two bombers, a B-17 and a B-24 were on display.
I think he was a bit apprehensive, knowing that the B-24 was Uncle Joe’s final home on earth. When we arrived he saw the plane from a distance and quietly said “Well, there it isâ€.
The visit started out on a very special note. When we approached the gate to pay the admission fee, the young lady in charge looked at Dad (In his WWII Memorial hat) and said “It looks like we have a World War Two veteran here.†She firmly shook his hand and continued with “Thank you for your service sir, you are my guest today.â€
Of course, Dad beamed and we went in. We had a quick tour of the B-17 (I did not know it, Dad said Uncle Joe had started out in a “17†and switched to the “24â€). We then went to the B-24. Dad was a good sport (And quite spry) he climbed through both planes which was not an easy task. We went from the flight deck clear through to the tail, sometimes walking on a very narrow tread that spanned the open bomb bays. We also had to climb up, down and around in spots.
Dad had an envelope with him. In it was a photocopy of a picture of a B-24 with notes on the back about Uncle Joe. (First photo) He also had the original Western Union Telegram sent to his parents stating that Uncle Joe was missing in action. Dad’s hope was to connect with anyone who had experience in the 24’s. He did get to talk to a fellow veteran who worked on the 24’s. He also chatted with other folks who were there.
We went to the back of the plane to see the tail gunner’s position and Dad asked that I take his picture there. This is the second photo. You’ll see him waving. I don’t he think he was waving at the camera but instead to someone up above. Someone who was fondly looking down on him. The circle is complete.
Dad’s WWII injury as told to Terri Sirianni
Posted by Joe Reljac in Family stories, WWII Stories on June 29, 2010
Dad was assigned to the Ordinance Division of the Army stationed in Texas and did not like it. He was taken to an area with great quantities of barrels of gun parts and told to make complete guns. When that job was done he was taken to another area with same procedures for larger guns. Eventually, he was working on huge anti-aircraft guns that weighed tons and were bigger than his living room. One day they were in the field; the lynch pin on a gun wasn’t working properly and the gun would not return to firing position. He was called over and told to crawl under the gun (remember this gun weighed tons) where there was an aluminum platform to lay on. He had a welding torch with a 6 foot flame and was to cut the lynch pin, freeing it so the gun could return to firing position. He had on a mask and eye protection but as he started to cut the pin, pieces of burning metal fell on his face between the mask and glasses burning his face. He started yelling and the guys pulled him out. He could not be taken care of where he was, so he was taken to Brookings (?) Hospital in San Antonio, 385 miles away. He was there for 2 and 1/2 months. He was constantly treated with some kind of cream based salve on his face and told he could have some scarring and may want to grow a beard and mustache to cover it. (Apparently this was the beginning of his love for nurses!)  Then, with a smile on his face he said the only damage was a section of skin under his nose wouldn’t grow any hair. That lasted for 2 years and he said he was go glad he didn’t go home until he had fully recovered because he didn’t want to have to explain his injury to his parents! He asked for and was given a transfer to another division.