A True "According to Hoyle" Recovery Miracle

Everyone who knows me personally can tell you, I am a practicing Catholic, a former member of the mighty 101st Airborne, and a history buff. For quite some time, I have been trying to get a Rosary that the US Army issued in WW II. To me, it is a physical marriage of my chosen Faith, and a desire to 'own', for lack of a better word, a piece of history. Between the hard knocks I have dealt myself, as well as those handed out by life, money has been very tight. Any World War II artifacts are pretty dear, and the then 'standard issue' Rosaries are no exception. Indeed, they have been a mint on the on-line auction sites as well as everywhere else.

Somebody who loves me found one on-line. Like everyone else it seems, she did not have a great deal of money to spend on a birthday present. She wrote the seller and said I was in recovery, explaining the whole concept briefly. She further explained that really wanted to get that as a birthday present for me. Apparently the woman sold it directly to her at a very reasonable cost.

Keep in mind that this woman had no clue as to my status as a veteran, or my history buff's love of that stuff. The following was her note regarding the "history' of my Birthday Rosary: *I took the liberty of some minor cleaning for publication.

METAL "PULLCHAIN'" SOLDIER'S ROSARY"

Here is information I have on the estate rosary:

John J.'Moe'Higgins, 1st/501st Parachute Infantry Regiment ("Geronimo" Battalion)

Moe Higgins of New Rochelle, NY, was an original member of the 1st/501st PIR, 101st Airborne. He is not to be confused with 'Pinky' Higgins of the same company, from Detroit. Moe went with Item Company from Camp Toccoa to Austria. In Normandy, he was mis-dropped below Carentan with Lt Robert Saum's stick, which was intended for Drop Zone 'C', (way up near Hiesville). Members of his stick made a precarious journey back to friendly lines, which lasted a week. Moe survived the battles at Eerde, Holland and on the Island west of Arnhem. At Bastogne, he survived the costly battle of Wardin. A surviving photograph of Moe demonstrates he had been through the wringer. He was a true combat veteran and survivor, whose stance, facial expression and demeanor reflect his status. He wears M43's and is accustomed to never standing around with his hands in his pockets, even when smoking. His left hand is placed with the backside bent against his hip.

Pete Tessoff, a.k.a. 'The Mad Russian' was also a member of Item Company. He told me a funny story about a conversation he heard around VE-Day, between a new replacement 2d lieutenant, and Moe Higgins. The conversation was simple and went like this: "What's your name, soldier?"

"Moe."

"What's your name, soldier?"

"Moe Higgins."

"What's your name, soldier?"

"Private Moe Higgins."

"What's your name, soldier?"

"Private Moe Higgins, SIR..."

Moe died recently in N.Y., and in postwar years, was well known to the tavern keepers in his neighborhood. He epitomizes the post-Bastogne Screaming Eagle.

Best Wishes,

Gloria

I was completely floored by the story she had passed on to me. There were literally millions of these Rosaries made and issued. For me to get an authentic one was gift enough. For me to receive one that was from a member of the 101st was bucking the odds. Now I want to share the part that I consider TRULY miraculous. The 1st of the 501st PIR (Geronimo!) was the very first non-school unit I was ever assigned to. The man who previously owned the Rosary not only had the same military occupational specialty (MOS) as me but was also in the same battalion as I was 40 years later.

People are free to write it off as sheer coincidence. Folks in recovery know better than that, seeing with your heart is as important as seeing with your eyes. When you approach it that way, it is a true "according to Hoyle" miracle. Feel free to share this story and PLEASE let me know what you think. I am still stunned. That man was one of our country's 1st paratroopers. To say prayers on HIS rosary, knowing it went from some airfield in England, seen battles the world should never forget, and returned home with the man who carried it can only make one feel humble. My 30^th May 25th was three days before the birth of my incredible son. Now I have a second birthday miracle, praying with Private Moe Higgins' Rosary.