In memory of all those who died in battle and those currently serving around the globe, and the soldiers I served with,
I Salute You
5/26/2025
https://www.miheroes.org/pbma-articles-and-reference
John Bozich Executive Vice President from the Michigan Military Musuem was a speaker today at the Memorial Day Event.
The museum in Frankenmuth Michigan has the largest display of items from the Polar Bear soldiers in the United States if not the world. He brought along some of the patches from the Regiment.
5/27/2024
We had a good turnout this year despite the weather being overcast, windy and cool temperatures.
5/29/2023- Our most momentous Holiday
Without a doubt Memorial Day is our most consequential holiday because there would be no other holiday in the United States if it were not for Memorial Day and the sacrifices of those who gave their life for our country.
I attended my annual Memorial Day remembrance at the White Chapel Memorial Cemetary in honor of all fallen veterans and especially WWI Polar Bears. Below is a Pic of my cousin Gary and me.
5/30/2022
This year brings the end of the Covid Pandemic restrictions (Hopefully). However, a new battle is taking place involving communist Russia invading the sovereign nation of Ukraine. It reminded me of my grandfather who fought the communist Bolsheviks in Russia over a hundred years ago at the end of WWI.
The "Detroit's Own" Polar Bear Memorial Association is dedicated to honoring and maintaining the memory of the 339th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Battalion of the 310th Engineers, the 337th Ambulance Co. and the 337th Field Hospital of the U.S. Army's 85th Division. These men, officially designated the American North Russia Expeditionary Force (ANREF) and also known as "Detroit's Own" and "Polar Bears", were sent by President Wilson to North Russia where they fought the Bolshevik Red Army from September 1918 through June 1919.
Here are a couple of links:
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015071545308&view=1up&seq=41&skin=2021 (25-year anniversary itinerary for Polar Bear Reunion held in Detroit MI - 1945)
We had a good group of relatives and friends attend the annual Memorial Day Tribute to Detroit's Own Polar Bears from WWI at the White Chapel in Troy MI.
Time for a new Hat! 
Surprisingly, my local paper ran an article about the WWI Polar Bears.
5/25/2020
“Our flag does not fly
because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who
died protecting it.”- Unknown
Memorial Day - Marge Campbell
Because
of the pandemic I will not be attending the Memorial Day service at White
Chapel in Troy Michigan. They do a great job honoring veterans especially
Michigan’s own Polar Bears from WWI.
This year I would like honor my
mother Marjorie Campbell (97)
who passed away a few weeks ago. My Mom’s father was a WWI Polar Bear. Her
husband my father Norman Campbell served in WWII and received a number of
citations including the Bronze Star for Valor double citation. I served during
the Vietnam Era. She also had a son-in-law who served as a Marine in Vietnam and another son-in-law who served in the Air Force.
My Mom and I started going to the Polar Bear Memorial and then eventually my sisters, brother, son, nephews and cousins started attending the annual ceremony (Many pictures shown in this post). Because of her health was not able to attend the ceremony for the past 5 years.
5/27/2019
Memorial Day - The Most Important Holiday
I was listening to the radio a few days ago and the host was interviewing Joe Mantegna ( Actor - Criminal Minds) who co-hosts the National Memorial Day Concert with Gary Sinise ( Lt. Dan - Forest Gump). I was moved when he said "Now I think it’s the most important holiday because it’s the one that lets us have the other holidays. In other words, had it not been for what our military’s done since the Revolutionary War, we wouldn’t have the ability to celebrate anything any time like we do."
Special tribute to Stan Bozich the past director of Michigan's Military and Space Museum in Frankenmuth Michigan. Stan was an honorary Polar Bear and was a key player in keeping the Polar Bear Memorial alive and well over these many years.
5/28/18 - Memorial Day - 100 year Anniversary
Update - December 30, 2018
Received this link from my cousin -about the Polar Bears
I ordered a 100-year anniversary hat and shirt
The Temp hit over 90 today and the annual ceremony was well attended. Three Generations honoring my Grandfather: My son, great nephew, and me.
We made the news on Channel 7 - Detroit:
Here is a Link to a number of WWI Polar Bear Pics - WWI
Polar Bears Pics
"Detroit's Own Polar Bears" Centennial Symposium
September 2018
5/29/17 - Memorial DayAfter attending this years Memorial Day celebration ceremony at the White Chapel in Troy, Michigan I thought it would be nice to give a thanks to a man who over the years has dedicated himself to preserving the honor and memory of Michigan's military and particular for providing focus to the the Detroit Polar Bears - Mr. Stanley Bozich. Mr. Bozich served many years as the Director of Michigan's Military and Space Museum located in Frankenmuth Michigan. I urge you to visit this museum and get a an appreciation of the service that so many people from Michigan provided to keep us free.
http://www.michigansmilitarymuseum.com/
The Museum has a wonderful exhibit devoted to the Polar Bears - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJoDOBJKnLE
The Museum has a wonderful exhibit devoted to the Polar Bears - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJoDOBJKnLE
He also authored this book in 1985.
More books on the Polar Bears can be found here: http://pbma.grobbel.org/polarbearbooks.htm
5/30/16 - Memorial Day
Click on Pic to Enlarge.
Today may have been the best weather day for our annual Memorial Day tribute at the White Chapel Cemetery in Troy Michigan. Fifteen people from our family (Including my son who is in town) attended honoring our Grandfather who served in WWI and was a member of Detroit's own Polar Bears.
This was also a very special day because of a fine gentleman and
friend who attended the ceremony that I have had the privilege of knowing for
the past eight years. Jim W. has a great love for military history and he is a
devoted educational leader who has a great respect for those who have served in
the military.
For a number of years Jim and members of
his family select veteran's graves and clean them up and leave an American
Flag. This year Jim surprised me by finding my Grandfather's grave and cleaned
it up the best he could and left a flag. Here is the picture took for me: Click
on Pic to Enlarge.
Thank you Jim! I salute you!!
5/25/15 - Memorial Day
Good family turnout (19) at what now has become an annual get together to honor our grandfather who was a "Polar Bear" in WWI. We also had our traditional lunch at Red Robin's.
Here are some Pics from today's events. I especially like the plaques that are found at the base of the Polar Bear Memorial.
Click on Pics to Enlarge
5/26/14 - Memorial Day
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/polaread/
Another Memorial Day spent at the White Chapel honoring the WWI Polar Bears who served in Northern Russia in 1918 and 1919.
The lady (Patti Lubonte) did a great job singing - here are a few clips:
5/28/12 - Memorial Day
After the F10 Jets passes over we all went to Red Robin for a nice lunch and sharing of memories.
4/28/12 - Updated - Presenting of the Cane
For more on this wonderful group please read a past post -
What a special day! I attended the annual White Chapel Memorial for Michigan's own Polar Bears again this year and I had company with 10 relatives all related to our Grandfather Aldred Buckler. My Mom who is 89 and my two sisters. PLUS my cousins (my Mom's sister Carol deceased) and her children and some of their children and one of their children!!
My cousin Gary also presented me with our Grandfather's WWI Rifle - What a treasure!
http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/firearms-ordnance/french-model-1892-carbine-2477/
We finished the afternoon off by reminiscing at a restaurant and now plan on making this an annual event. WOW - how cool is that!
My cousin Gary also presented me with our Grandfather's WWI Rifle - What a treasure!
http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/firearms-ordnance/french-model-1892-carbine-2477/
We finished the afternoon off by reminiscing at a restaurant and now plan on making this an annual event. WOW - how cool is that!
2010
On Saturday May 29th I attended my niece's wedding in Chicago. The conversation about the WWI Polar Bears came up and I told my relatives what I had found about our grandfather. One of my cousin's who spent a great deal of time with my grandfather told me about two incidents that happened to my grandfather while in Russia.
First - my grandfather was not an overly religious man but one day a bullet came ripping through the barracks went through his legs and “killed” the soldier in the bunk below. From that day forward he started to become a devout Catholic because of a medal my grandmother had given him prior to leaving for overseas.
Second – It seems along the path where they marched there were diamonds and emeralds just laying on the sides of the path. Many of the soldiers put them in their pockets only to be told by their British commanders to take them out because they were not real.
My grandfather brought a few back and had diamond and emerald rings made for my grandmother. This is a fact because my cousin who told me this last Saturday was the one involved in the rings being tossed in an incinerator by mistake!
2009 - POPS!
"Pops" died a few months ago. He lived a simple life raising his family and strengthening his faith each day. He wanted the best for his children and strive to provide that assistance in his own unique way.
Double Click on Pic to Enlarge
Pops had a special love for the children suffering from leukemia and often contributed to St. Jude Hospital and other organizations.
His love of country was also showed in his own way just like he did as a soldier towards the end of WWII. He served like many of the other millions of veterans during WWII. He never forgot what it meant to be an American.
Pops was my Father-In-Law and I will miss him but he lives in his children and their children and for that I will be eternally thankful.
2008
This year I would like to add an Email my brother sent me:
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN,
not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN,
not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN,
not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN,
not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN,
not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag,
It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag,
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT
SHINE UPON THEM.
WWI – POLAR BEAR, WWII PARATROOPER and a VIETNAM MARINE
I wrote this post for Memorial Day (2005) to honor my Grandfather (Maternal) and My Father who were both Veterans that fought bravely in War.
My Brother-In-Law Raymond (Larry) Leibold who served honorably in Vietnam with The United States Marine Corps.
While Memorial Day is the commemoration of those soldiers killed during war, I wanted to highlight two Veterans that did not die during the war. For the past few years I have been trying to find records and documentation that described what they went through so that we can live free.
World WWI – Polar Bear
The picture below is Aldred S. Buckler. No, they are not five brothers, just an over exposure of my Grandfather taken in Murmansk Russia in 1918. Strangely enough he was a twin. My Grandfather served with the “Polar Bears,” Regiment 339, Supply Company. Below is their story:
http://www.umich.edu/~bhlumrec/polarbear/wade/highresjpeg/0756-0011/001-p0000001a.jpg
If you Zoom in he is in the 2nd Row from the top - then count from left he is the 11th soldier.
http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/MarApril12/Polar_Bear.html
Detroit's Polar Bears and their confusing war
For the majority of American soldiers in the battlefields of Europe, the 1918 armistice with Germany meant an end to the horrors of war and the promise of returning home.
But for one group of Detroit servicemen the end of the fighting in Europe was merely the beginning of another ordeal in the frozen reaches of Russia.
These soldiers were to become members of the American North Russian Expeditionary Force. Along with British, French and Canadian allies these "Polar Bears" were sent to the frozen frontier of Archangel, Russia, in September 1918, in a confused attempt to thwart the Russian revolution. It would be another grueling nine months (temperature hit 56 degrees below zero) before they would finally make it home in June 1919.
Few front-line soldiers understand the international complexities of war, but this chapter of WWI was particularly painful. The men who fought this battle had no idea why they were there or who was the enemy.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20091103/OPINION03/911030337
Unfortunately for my Grandfather suffered from frostbite on both legs and shell shock after his return to Detroit. He was in and out of the VA hospital over the years and initially did not receive a disability check from the government. My Grandmother needed a lawyer friend in order to get the disability because the VA wouldn't justify his shell shock and frostbite. His main source of income was cutting hair as a barber. He died in 1963.
Below - I have collected some books, articles and a video about the Polar Bears: Click on Pic to Enlarge
For more information on the Polar Bears please go to:
http://www.michigansmilitarymuseum.com/
WWII PARATROOPER
The man below is my father – Norman D. Campbell Sr., tracking down his records was difficult because of the fire in St. Louis years in 1973
www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html
-
that destroyed many veterans records from WWI – WWII.
-
that destroyed many veterans records from WWI – WWII.
Through a Scrapbook my Mom kept during the War years and his discharge papers I was able to reconstruct much of his record and medals in 2004 (stolen in New York after returning from Europe, he never bothered to replace them). He served in the 327th Gliders, 101 Airborne and 82nd Airborne, could have been others as they all converged on Bastogne in the winter of 1944. My Father died in 1974.
Click on Pics to Enlarge.
In January the 101st received its third parachute regiment, the 501st Parachute Infantry. On 5 February General Lee, who had championed the airborne cause from the beginning, suffered a heart attack. Although he had brought the division from its initial organization through training for the fight in Europe, General Lee was not to be part of the 101st's baptism of fire. He was relieved of his command and returned to the United States. Brig. Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor, former commander of the 82d Airborne Division Artillery, assumed command of the 101st on 14 March. The division underwent another organizational change that month, when the 2d Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry, was permanently transferred to the 82d Airborne Division. The 1st Battalion was attached to the 327th Glider Infantry to operate under that regiment as a third battalion. The 1st Battalion, 401st GIR, was made an official element of the 327th GIR in April 1945.
Click on Pics to Enlarge.
In January the 101st received its third parachute regiment, the 501st Parachute Infantry. On 5 February General Lee, who had championed the airborne cause from the beginning, suffered a heart attack. Although he had brought the division from its initial organization through training for the fight in Europe, General Lee was not to be part of the 101st's baptism of fire. He was relieved of his command and returned to the United States. Brig. Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor, former commander of the 82d Airborne Division Artillery, assumed command of the 101st on 14 March. The division underwent another organizational change that month, when the 2d Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry, was permanently transferred to the 82d Airborne Division. The 1st Battalion was attached to the 327th Glider Infantry to operate under that regiment as a third battalion. The 1st Battalion, 401st GIR, was made an official element of the 327th GIR in April 1945.
VIETNAM MARINE (click picture to Enlarge)
My Brother-In-Law Larry was like most Vietnam Vets who saw combat and that is he never spoke much of what he went through in Vietnam. He was a proud Marine who always hung the Marine Corps Flag.
The shock and pain of Larry's death hit our family hard because of what a great husband, father and friend to all who knew him.
My Mom said it best when she said our family is much greater because of having had Larry Leibold in our family and lives.
The funeral home and funeral mass was overflowing from those who wanted to pay their last respects to human being that served his country, family and friends with courage, loyalty, humor and a lust for life.
He will always be with us through his wonderful children.
R.I.P - HEAD
My Mom said it best when she said our family is much greater because of having had Larry Leibold in our family and lives.
The funeral home and funeral mass was overflowing from those who wanted to pay their last respects to human being that served his country, family and friends with courage, loyalty, humor and a lust for life.
He will always be with us through his wonderful children.
R.I.P - HEAD
In memory of all those who died in battle and those currently serving around the globe, and the soldiers I served with,
I Salute You
14 comments:
Very Nice Tribute.
A Vet from New Jersey
Thank You for sharing.
Lori
Great Stuff about the Polar Bears!
I return that salute to you my dear friend and fellow soldier. It was a great honor to serve with you and that other crazy guy in Florida. We all made the best of a hard time in our country's history and have come through the other side. May god bless our country, all that I served with, all that have served, and those that are serving now and those that will serve in the future.
Excellent Tribute Greg! The sacrifices our Veterans made to our Country for the Liberties and Freedoms we enjoy today deserve the ultimate respect of the American people. With this Tribute you have presented absolutely puts it in perspective! Memorial weekend is much more than a Holiday for backyard BBQ's, Vacation's, & Party's! It's a true reminder of the sacrifices that were made by our Veterans in order for us as American's to have the way of life we have become accustomed to. I can only Hope and Pray they will never ever be forgotten in all our hearts and minds. I Salute you for a wonderful Tribute! Your Big Game Buddy, RB
Great tribute, so few understand what was involved to get their freedom.
My grandfather, Sgt Levi Bartels, was a Polar Bear in WWI, information about him, http://sites.google.com/site/bruceshomefamily/
The Immortals is based on the same cause. The movie is a Tribute to the life of WWII Veteran Colonel Robert Murphy. You can Watch The immortals on line from here.
hi, my brother Michael J Hilburger, was in Vietnam, he was a Specialist Four E4 in Company B, 4th Battalian, 31st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade. A Charger Machine Gunner/Polar Bear. He was with the Very first men on Feb. 21, 1967 the day before D-day 2/22/1967 began at Operation Junction City. He wrote to my mom his story of what he experienced. She sent it to the Buffalo Evening News and they published the article. It was titled "Living Hell". Things were pretty bad on Operation Junction City, Our Platoon was ambused Feb 21 on a sweep. It was living hell. God spared my life. By all rights I should hyave been killed. We found VIet Cong bunkers and were blowing them. As we were walking down the trail, the Cong opened up. The point man was shot in the heart about 10 feet from me. I could see he was dead. I took a step back and opened up. The VC were about 25 meters from us but we couldnt see them the jungle was so thick. When I finished firing, I hit the ground. In front of me, no farther than 10 feet away were the point man, his shepherd dog, the medic and to my right, a sergeant, all dead. We got the bodies and wounded out on homemade stretchers. Three of my friends are dead, one is wounded and another went berserk. It was a nightmare. I have 17 weeks to go and I pray to God I make it--Specialist 4/C Michael Hilburger, Cheektowaga. He didnt make it about 2 weeks prior to his being sent home Mike stepped on a Landmine on May 1, 1967, the first squad ambush site. Mike was point man for the squad. He lead them successfully around a village which put them 50 meters of the squads objective, Specialist Hilburger stepped on a mine. Knowing that the mind would explode as soon as he removed his foot, he immediately warned his comrades to take cover. Before anything else could be done the mine exploded fatally injuring Mike. Because of his quick thinking, the squad sustained only one other casualty. I feel my brother and and 196 Brigade did not get the recognition they deserved due to the fact that most of them never lived to tell there story, as these were some of the very first men who began in the Battle of Operation Junction City prior to D-day. Army men deployed into the jungle in Saigon. Near the end of this Operation, many men were sent away, a new Brigade was replaced by 1st Brigade, 96th Division and South Vietnames Rangers. My brother knowing these men were green lead them as he had much experience. He died May 1, 1967 leaving his wife and 1 year old daughter Michelle back home. May 14, 1967, Operation Junction City Closed. Mike was the oldest of 7 children.
hi, my brother Michael J Hilburger, was in Vietnam, he was a Specialist Four E4 in Company B, 4th Battalian, 31st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade. A Charger Machine Gunner/Polar Bear. He was with the Very first men on Feb. 21, 1967 the day before D-day 2/22/1967 began at Operation Junction City. He wrote to my mom his story of what he experienced. She sent it to the Buffalo Evening News and they published the article. It was titled "Living Hell". Things were pretty bad on Operation Junction City, Our Platoon was ambused Feb 21 on a sweep. It was living hell. God spared my life. By all rights I should hyave been killed. We found VIet Cong bunkers and were blowing them. As we were walking down the trail, the Cong opened up. The point man was shot in the heart about 10 feet from me. I could see he was dead. I took a step back and opened up. The VC were about 25 meters from us but we couldnt see them the jungle was so thick. When I finished firing, I hit the ground. In front of me, no farther than 10 feet away were the point man, his shepherd dog, the medic and to my right, a sergeant, all dead. We got the bodies and wounded out on homemade stretchers. Three of my friends are dead, one is wounded and another went berserk. It was a nightmare. I have 17 weeks to go and I pray to God I make it--Specialist 4/C Michael Hilburger, Cheektowaga. He didnt make it about 2 weeks prior to his being sent home Mike stepped on a Landmine on May 1, 1967, the first squad ambush site. Mike was point man for the squad. He lead them successfully around a village which put them 50 meters of the squads objective, Specialist Hilburger stepped on a mine. Knowing that the mind would explode as soon as he removed his foot, he immediately warned his comrades to take cover. Before anything else could be done the mine exploded fatally injuring Mike. Because of his quick thinking, the squad sustained only one other casualty. I feel my brother and and 196 Brigade did not get the recognition they deserved due to the fact that most of them never lived to tell there story, as these were some of the very first men who began in the Battle of Operation Junction City prior to D-day. Army men deployed into the jungle in Saigon. Near the end of this Operation, many men were sent away, a new Brigade was replaced by 1st Brigade, 96th Division and South Vietnames Rangers. My brother knowing these men were green lead them as he had much experience. He died May 1, 1967 leaving his wife and 1 year old daughter Michelle back home. May 14, 1967, Operation Junction City Closed. Mike was the oldest of 7 children.
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