A Christmas Miracle

On Christmas Eve in the year 1914, German troops

began  placing candles on their trenches and made Christmas trees, they celebrated by

singing Christmas carols. The British responded by singing carols of their own. The two armies

began shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, the enemies  were gatherings

across No Man's Land, where soldiers exchanged gifts of food, tobacco and alcohol, and souvenirs

such as buttons and hats.   The artillery in the region fell silent.      The truce allowed a

breathing spell and casualties could be brought back behind their own lines for burial . In

some areas joint religious services were held.  Although there was no official truce, roughly 100,000

British and German troops ceased fighting for the day!

555 Duty Schedule 2015

DINNER MEETING                                               DUTY WEEK


12 FEB 2015                                                            16 - 20 FEB


31 MAR (Tuesday)                                                   06 - 10 APR


21 MAY                                                                     25 - 29 MAY


09 JULY                                                                     13 - 17 JULY


27 AUG                                                                       31 AUG - 04 SEP


15 OCT                                                                       19 - 23 OCT


03 DEC                                                                       07 - 11 DEC

Battle of the Bulge DEC 1944

Today marks the 70th anniversary of a weeks-long battle known as the Battle of the Bulge. It would become the largest battle the US Army had ever fought, and it would go on for six weeks. The cost in human lives would be high - there were more than 67,000 American casualties before the battle ended in late January.

Remember

2014 Schedules

                         555th Honors Detachment Meeting Schedule For 2014


DINNER MEETING                                               DUTY WEEK



12 June                                                              16-20 June


31 July                                                               04 - 08 August


18 September                                                   22 - 26 September


06 November                                                   10 - 14 November


16 December (Tuesday)                                   29 DEC - 02 JAN 2015

Soldier Killed in Action to receive full Military burial after 64 years

Donald C. Durfee, Private First Class United States Army, was 19 years old when Killed in ActionDecember 2, 1950 at the Chosin Reservoir Battle in North Korea . PFC Durfee ‘s remains were turned over during Operation Glory in 1954 and later interned as an Unknown in the National Military Cemetery of the Pacific. He was then later Identified onNovember 5, 2013through Military DNA registry. The repatriation and welcoming home of PFC Durfee will beMarch 4, 2014 with Full Military honors after 64 years.

The remains will be flown to Cleveland, OH onTuesday, March 4, 2014 at11:53 amunder escort from the United States Army and will be greeted by Military honor guard, Airport Rescue and Firefighting honor guard and members of the Patriot Guard Riders. This honor ceremony represents the 250th honor salute since the inception of the CLE Fallen Soldier program in 2002.

PFC Durfee has NO SURVIVING FAMILY to attend, but several Military groups will honor this veteran. All Law Enforcement or Uniformed Services direct questions to Charlie McGeever216-323-2000.

PFC Durfee will “Lie in honor” Wednesday 2-4 PM AND Thursday 11 AM -1 PM at the Craciun Berry Funeral Home 7200 Detroit Ave. Cleveland. Committal Services will be heldThursday 2:30 PM at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.

The Ohio Patriot Guard Riders is a 100% Volunteer, Federally registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and Honorably Discharged Veterans