“My father, Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek, was born on March 30, 1917 in Detroit, Michigan, and was a proud member of the 540th Combat Engineer Regiment during WWII.

He started his army stint at Fort Custer near Battle Creek, Michigan. As you can imagine, the Polish last name was and is, difficult to pronounce. Therefore many of his buddies referred to him as Monday, the direct Polish to English translation.

As young girl trying desperately to hold on to the fleeting war memories relayed by her Dad to his loving family and friends, the rectangular box was never far from my side, and was kept in a nightstand, as I moved from house to house and city to city. Every now and then I would sit on the floor, carefully remove the tattered lid and lovingly lay each item before me. Maybe I was hoping a name would mysteriously appear on the back of a photo, giving me some clue as to who these young men were who stood next to my father, smiling back at me. Maybe it was a source of comfort and a way for me to try and hold on to a part of my life when my father passed away when I was only twelve. Maybe it was all those things and more. But the one thing I did not know and could not know was the important role that fraying box would play later in my life.

The cherished items included things that a million other GIs brought back from their tours of duty; tattered and faded black and white photos of foxhole friends, patches and pins that were proudly worn on Ike jackets, and currency from faraway countries that I could only begin to dream about. But now there was no longer anyone to tell the story of their experiences, but only a daughter’s fading memories of tales told around the dining room table in Detroit.

Even though my dad and I only had twelve years together, those years left an indelible impression on that innocent girl. We were close. “I was daddy’s girl!” I’ve since had the honor and privilege of meeting hundreds of WWII veterans and their families, and through their encouragement, moral support, friendship and love, have taken on the task of producing a documentary. I’ve also been able to create a website dedicated to my father and the VI Corps engineers My Dad – Walter “Monday” Poniedzialek – 540th Combat Engineer.
www.ComesASoldiersWhisper.com
So, through dogged determination (I inherited my dad’s engineer genes!), the kindness of countless individuals and a now unquestioning belief in divine intervention, I find myself at an unbelievable juncture. And that takes us back to that tiny box that once held an array of unanswered questions; life is like that box of chocolates, you never do know what you’re going to get!”
~Marion J. Chard
NO BRIDGE TOO FAR – WWII documentary gofundme.com/No-Bridge-Too-…

We are honored to feature Marion’s story and invite you to share your family photos &/or stories of those who served, so we may feature and honor them on Comes A Soldier’s Whisper.

God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.

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