Frank Luke Monument Update (Hey, Something Happened!)

[stephen]

Hey guys... here's the latest...


Dear Mr. Skinner - I received your note. Thanks. Here is a short update from
the Meuse Argonne Cemetery. As more information is made available it will be
forwarded to you. Happy New Year with best wishes, good health and lots of
"Checkered Flags". Regards, Hans

----------
From: Meuse-Argonne Cemetery
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:53 AM
To: Hooker, Hans
Subject: RE: Private Monument
Importance: High

Reference our telecon, I made contact with the mayor and have received a copy
of the original inscription. Indeed , the local french veterans group are
renovating most of the outlying monuments that have been forgotten since I have
been coordinating this type of project with them for the past several years. In
this manner, there will be someone to take care of these monuments in the
future once they have accepted the responsibility and have a 'hands on''
experience. As for the monument, they are making a new plaque and will install
it in the near future. I will keep ;you up to date on the progress as well as
some others as they happen. I am sending a copy of correspondence from the
mayor of Murveaux for your info and use. Suggest you relay to the inquiry that
their interest is greatly appreciated and I will advise the mayor of ''their
present interest.''
Thanks.



Mr. Hooker:

Outstanding! Thank you so much for informing me of your correspondence with the Meuse Argonne Cemetary. From the sound of it, the French local veterans group will soon replace the missing plaque on the Frank Luke monument, and that any efforts from this side of the pond would be premature. So long as that is the case, it seems as if it would be best for us to simply watch and wait, and assume for the moment that they will indeed get the job done. I'm sure the French can cut through the beauracracy and get more done that we could in much less time. I would certainly like to keep tabs on the situation, though, and would very much appreciate any more information that you come across on this topic.

Would the officials at the Meuse Argonne Cemetary be kind enough to send us the wording that is intended for the monument? We would like to reconcile it with the records that we have found, just to make sure that our research is correct.

Again, thank you so much for your kindness and help. Best wishes, and we hope to hear from you soon.

Stephen Skinner

[stephen]

>From: Hans Hooker <hans.hooker@wanadoo.fr>
>To: "'Stephen Skinner'" <sopwith21@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Lt. Luke
>Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1999 09:17:12 +-100
>
>Mr. Skinner - I received a note from the Meuse Argonne AC =
>superintendent with a photocopy of a letter pertaining to Lt. Luke's =
>plaque. Mr. Serge Colin, the mayor of Murvaux, relates that he was =
>contacted by 3 different patriotic organizations concerning the plaque.
>Apparently these organizations desire to replace the missing plaque.
>I will continue to keep you informed of any further developments in this =
>case. Respectfully,
>Hans H. Hooker



Thank you again! I'm surprised to find that we're not the only concerned parties. I would welcome your comments and advice on two specific questions:

1) Do you agree that it is best, at this point in time, for our group to simply wait and keep an eye on developments? It seems the most sensible approach at the moment. Too many sticks in the fire might just slow things down.

and 2) is there one, specific individual or agency who is in charge of this monument, and therefore, in charge of updating and coordinating the various groups interested in the project? Without a specific someone who will aggresively see it through, the effort may die as quickly as it started.

Have a great day!

Stephen

[stephen]

Mr. Skinner - I found this text among the items sent from Meuse Argonne AC:

Memory of Lt Frank Luke
Balloon Busting Ace of WWI
Critically wounded
Landed Spad 700 yard northhand
was killed by German small arms
fire 29 September 1918

--------


Ici le 29 Septembre 1918
Sous le feu des mitrailleurs ennemis
Tomba Frank Luk
Heros de l'Aviation Alliee
This is an exact transcription.

I will ask the superintendent to double check the spelling of the all the
wording prior to the plaque being engraved. Thank you for your patience and
understanding. Respectfully,
Hans H. Hooker
Dir. Human Resources

[stephen]

>From: Hans Hooker <hans.hooker@wanadoo.fr>
>To: "'Stephen Skinner'" <sopwith21@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Lt Luke
>Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1999 13:46:49 +-100
>
>Mr. Skinner,
>I agree with your statement in number 1 below.
>As to number 2 it is a bit more complicated than yes or no. There are =
>two central figures. Up front is the mayor and in the background the =
>superintendent of Meuse Argonne AC. The 3 patriotic organizations are =
>all represented at a national level. Awaiting your response I remain =
>your,
>Hans



Thank you for your comments. If you would be kind enough to forward the postal mailing address of the mayor of Murveaux, I will propose to our group a new course of action (or inaction, as the case may be).

It would seem appropriate to send a letter of goodwill to the mayor expressing our interest and pledging our support for any attempt to restore the plaque, and specifically stating our intent to withdraw our efforts on the assumption that another effort is nearing fruition. This letter would serve as an introduction, a vote of support for the efforts of others, and most importantly, a strong encouragement to see the project through to completion and keep it at the forefront of his thinking. We would also then have another contact for information as it becomes available.

If you have access to his postal address I would appreciate it very much. Your continued comments and advice are invaluable.

Regards,
Stephen

[Paul Reece]

Stephen,
Well done mate! 10/10 for effort, Now we've got this huge Cenotaph thingy in the middle of London that could do with a good scrub up!!...Are you up for it??
Cheers
Paul

[Richard_Schrader]

Stephan;
Once again, great job!

[John Cummings]

Stephen--Super work!! Well done!! The inscription quoted to you is identical to the wording of the original plaque according to the photo taken by Col Royal Frey reprinted in the AAHS journal.
Now, can we get new wording on that London Cenotaph?

John

[stephen]

Thanks for the votes, but one project is enough. I've already been volunteered for two more projects regarding MvR monuments, so London is now fourth on the list.

And just to add a dash of stark reality, nothing has happened YET on the Luke monument.

I do now have the name and address of the mayor of Murveaux, and ...

I DO NEED THE FOLLOWING: If our letter to Murveux is to have any impact, we need to demonstrate that a multi-national group of citizens actively support it. I would like to add your name as a signee to the letter, and need your permission to do so. Scott, should we do it on this thread, or on some type of sidebar? I'm afraid this thread will die too soon and not enough people will see it. If there is a place for people to sign their names and hometown, and to make the sign up sheet available for several weeks, then we could get a really nice list. Sort of a petition in letter form. I'd be glad to submit the letter in advance for people to review. Then I'll send it in French and English and post the entire reply for all to see. Whaddya say, Scott?