The Cactus Cuties
sing The National Anthem,Texas Tech
Lubbock, Texas
Veteran’s Day - WWII
Re-Enactment O n t h
e S q u a r e
Saturday,
November 10th was a memorable day to be in Downtown
Waxahachie. World War II re-enactors took over the Downtown
area to stage a mock battle between the Allies and Axis
forces.
“Over one hundred volunteers participate to re-enact this
battle,” said Tom Legler, the Event Coordinator. He noted
that Waxahachie is the only city in Texas (and perhaps the
nation) that will allow a battle re-enactment within city
limits.
“The City of Waxahachie has been very generous to us, both
in their time and resources,” Tom added. “We had over 1,000
spectators here today, but it went smoothly because of the
coordination we had with the City.”
The historical setting of the buildings and the old train
depots south of Downtown added to the desired atmosphere.
Allied and Axis troops were spotted frequently, their
uniforms accurate to the smallest detail. When General
Patton arrived in his jeep, the crowd cheered.
For more information about World War II
re-enactments, please visit
www.kilroysboys.com.
Annual World War II Re-Enactment Downtown
Waxahachie, Texas
A True
World War II Hero By Charles R. Flowers
A
friend of mine, who was heavily involved with Disabled American
Veterans, told me one day he wanted to introduce me to one of the
nicest men he had ever known and also one of the greatest veterans of
World War II. It was evident from my first meeting back in 2003 with
Midlothian resident, Richard Reno, that this was very true.
Knowing
that I could repair computers, Reno later called me up and asked me to
come to his house to fix his computer. I was honored to do so. I spent
the afternoon with this affable man talking about the events of World
War II that took his legs and made him wheelchair bound.
Reno was a member of the famed 36th Infantry Division, Company K,
143rd Infantry - the "T Patchers." The 36th landed in North Africa
after most of the conflict there was put to rest. The Division then
moved on to Sicily before eventually ending up in Italy in 1943 with
the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This rough and tumble group of
mostly Texans, alongside the 442 Japanese-American Infantry Division,
fought their way across Italy in some of the most bloody battles of
WWII.
At Altavilla, the 36th was engaged in bitter fighting. Reno was
severely wounded by mortar and machine gun fire while on a patrol. Two
soldiers from this patrol carried him all the way back to the forward
battalion aid station where his wounds were tended. Before he could be
sent back to the rear to the hospital, the Germans launched a major
counter attack and his regiment was forced to pull back to new
positions. The fighting was extremely intense, with 88 mm shells
falling all around the aid station. Reno was sure one of those shells
was going to land right on top of him. "When the shelling stopped,
that was one of the happiest days of his life," he said.
This web site gives you an opportunity to send a
free printed postcard to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas
showing your support and appreciation for their service to our
country.
www.letssaythanks.com/
RENO,
, RICHARD WOODROW SR. 90 of Midlothian, Texas. Born in Forney,
Texas on April 14, 1915 and raised in Pecan Gap, Texas. Passed
away on August 6, 2005. He was the youngest of eleven and became a
Christian at the age of 12 years old. He was a member of Texas
36th Division, Company K, 143rd Inf. He participated in the
invasion of Salerno, Italy. He was severely wounded at the Battle
of Altavilla. Recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star with 2 Oak
Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart and other citations.
Shortly afterward, the German
infantry overran the aid station where he lay. The first
German entering the tent raised his machine gun to shoot Reno.
Upon seeing that his wounds were severe, he yelled for a
German corpsman. The corpsman rushed in and promptly treated
him. Reno was then transported to the rear of the German lines
and then to a German hospital. "God surely had his hand on me
while all this was happening! I was really surprised at how
gently the Germans took care of me," said Reno.
After his arrival at the German hospital, he was rushed into
surgery, where one of his legs was removed. His other leg was
badly damaged but was bandaged up and not removed. Reno spent
the rest of the war as a prisoner in a German hospital but was
eventually liberated after the hospital was captured by the
United States Army. For years afterward Reno's remaining
damaged leg caused him constant pain. Finally, no longer able
to tolerate the pain, he had the leg removed.
Reno was a very modest and unassuming man and was one of the
nicest guys you could ever meet. He never once boasted about
all his WWII decorations, and he was probably one of the most
decorated World War II servicemen in this area. I later
learned that Reno was wounded while trying to protect and save
several of his buddies. For his bravery while on this patrol
and for his wounds, he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze
Star with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart and other
citations.
Reno died on August 6, 2005, in Midlothian, Texas at the age
of 90. He was indeed a true American hero.
Reno's regiment was ordered to pull out of their position and fall
back to regroup; however, he was so badly wounded the doctors told him
they feared he would not survive being moved. They told him his best
chance for survival might be with the Germans. The Germans had been
known to show mercy for some wounded Americans. But, at the same time,
they had also been known to outright murder any wounded Americans they
happened upon. It was a crap shoot at best!
As the soldiers were pulling out, two of the men, upon seeing that his
wounds were so grave, came to him and asked him if he would like for
them to shoot him instead of him being captured by the Germans. "I
thanked the men and told them I was willing to take my chances with
the Germans," Richard calmly said.
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Waxahachie Journal should be verified before relying on them. Video recordings
presented on this website may have been edited.
Knowing
that I could repair computers, Reno later called me up and asked me to
come to his house to fix his computer. I was honored to do so. I spent
the afternoon with this affable man talking about the events of World
War II that took his legs and made him wheelchair bound. 
