Missouri man gets wallet back after 62 years - Page 2

Rooster · 01-09-2007, 04:35 PM

Man's wallet returned after 62 years

MEXICO, Mo. (AP) — Ray Heilwagen has his wallet back, 62 years after he lost it in France during World War II. Late last year, Heilwagen received a call from Stephen Breitenstein of Palatine, Ill.
"He said, 'Did you lose a billfold?' and I remembered I did," Heilwagen told the Hannibal Courier-Post. "Then he said, 'I found it and will send it to you.'

"I could hardly believe it."

Breitenstein's father, who also served in France during World War II, recently died. Digging through his father's possessions — ironically on Veteran's Day — Stephen Breitenstein found the old wallet. He figured his dad found it during the war and brought it home, hoping to find the owner. Not knowing how to do so, he left it in a drawer for more than six decades.

Using the Internet, Breitenstein tracked down Heilwagen. After their phone conversation, he mailed the wallet to him.

"He sent it to me, and I received it in very good order," Heilwagen said. "It had everything in it — (French) francs and pictures and my original Social Security card and some receipts."

The wallet also included an article from the Courier-Post (Heilwagen grew up in Hannibal, Mo.) that his parents had mailed to him during the war.

Heilwagen was in the Army's 79th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, which reached France in July 1944. He was injured and hospitalized that November with a leg injury. He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

"We were in combat continuously, every day almost," he recalled. "We were in a battle and received small arms fire, then a German mortar came in and exploded. It blew me into the river, and I had about five pieces of shrapnel in my right leg."

As medics helped him in the field, Heilwagen recalled pulling out his billfold to look at pictures. The next day, he was taken to a French hospital, where the shrapnel was removed.

"They were getting ready to ship me out to another hospital, and I looked for my billfold, and it was gone," said Heilwagen, who was later discharged and returned to Missouri. He retired after a 39-year career with Southwestern Bell Telephone.

As for Breitenstein, "I was impressed that a stranger would go to such trouble to locate me and return my wallet," Heilwagen said.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat...9-wallet_x.htm

**Skip Towne** · 01-09-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Hey - I wonder if anybody will bring my Yukon back one day.

Si, Senor.

stumppy · 01-09-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Some bastard tore a wing off my dinoriders pterodactyl in primary school and threw it over the fence. Someday...

If it hasn't turned up in a couple of weeks you'll probably never get it back.

Halfcan · 01-09-2007, 06:44 PM

"Here son, this is a brand new $5.00 for your trouble."

Road Hog · 01-09-2007, 07:28 PM

What a bunch of Ungrateful Bastards you are!

01-09-2007, 07:30 PM

I'm grateful you capitalized "Bastards". It's a sign of respect.

**Skip Towne** · 01-09-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Some bastard tore a wing off my dinoriders pterodactyl in primary school and threw it over the fence. Someday...

He stole your lunch money too didn't he?

**Bob Dole** · 01-09-2007, 07:37 PM

The coolest part is that the finder didn't include a note berating him as some sort of misguided brainwashed murderer.

Orlandochiefsgrl · 01-09-2007, 08:19 PM

"By the way, thanks for saving my Dad"

Hammock Parties · 01-09-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

He stole your lunch money too didn't he?

I didn't have lunch money. Lunch was free.

01-09-2007, 04:35 PM
Rooster Draft a QB Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: JoCo Casino cash: $9961689	Missouri man gets wallet back after 62 years Man's wallet returned after 62 years MEXICO, Mo. (AP) — Ray Heilwagen has his wallet back, 62 years after he lost it in France during World War II. Late last year, Heilwagen received a call from Stephen Breitenstein of Palatine, Ill. "He said, 'Did you lose a billfold?' and I remembered I did," Heilwagen told the Hannibal Courier-Post. "Then he said, 'I found it and will send it to you.' "I could hardly believe it." Breitenstein's father, who also served in France during World War II, recently died. Digging through his father's possessions — ironically on Veteran's Day — Stephen Breitenstein found the old wallet. He figured his dad found it during the war and brought it home, hoping to find the owner. Not knowing how to do so, he left it in a drawer for more than six decades. Using the Internet, Breitenstein tracked down Heilwagen. After their phone conversation, he mailed the wallet to him. "He sent it to me, and I received it in very good order," Heilwagen said. "It had everything in it — (French) francs and pictures and my original Social Security card and some receipts." The wallet also included an article from the Courier-Post (Heilwagen grew up in Hannibal, Mo.) that his parents had mailed to him during the war. Heilwagen was in the Army's 79th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, which reached France in July 1944. He was injured and hospitalized that November with a leg injury. He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. "We were in combat continuously, every day almost," he recalled. "We were in a battle and received small arms fire, then a German mortar came in and exploded. It blew me into the river, and I had about five pieces of shrapnel in my right leg." As medics helped him in the field, Heilwagen recalled pulling out his billfold to look at pictures. The next day, he was taken to a French hospital, where the shrapnel was removed. "They were getting ready to ship me out to another hospital, and I looked for my billfold, and it was gone," said Heilwagen, who was later discharged and returned to Missouri. He retired after a 39-year career with Southwestern Bell Telephone. As for Breitenstein, "I was impressed that a stranger would go to such trouble to locate me and return my wallet," Heilwagen said. http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat...9-wallet_x.htm
Posts: 5,753

01-09-2007, 06:44 PM	#18
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	"Here son, this is a brand new $5.00 for your trouble."
Posts: 43,200

01-09-2007, 07:28 PM	#19
Road Hog Starter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Hooterville-East of Pixly Casino cash: $9824995	What a bunch of Ungrateful Bastards you are!
Posts: 94

01-09-2007, 07:30 PM	#20
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	I'm grateful you capitalized "Bastards". It's a sign of respect.
Posts: n/a

01-09-2007, 07:37 PM	#22
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $-1124563	The coolest part is that the finder didn't include a note berating him as some sort of misguided brainwashed murderer.
Posts: 51,532

01-09-2007, 08:19 PM	#23
Orlandochiefsgrl Starter Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	"By the way, thanks for saving my Dad"
Posts: 131