Having written at length and in depth with as many or more Waffen-SS KC holders as anyone (about 150). May where never associated with OdR or similar groups, in most cases they wrote me first.
But amazed to still get 3-4 PMs or e-mails a week from collectors assuming there is some lengthy list of them eager to correspond.
I still send to a list on birthdays and Christmas, also copies of books I do if a topic of interest or if they are in them. Same with those few remaining of 200+ German Cross holders or senior staff. But always make it a point no need to reply if inconvenient (health). The years of writing 2,000-3,000 letters a year are gone, details recorded and saved. Some I helped with xerox data sheets as they got tired of replying the same basic questions over and over that are in numerous books.
They write when they feel like it, tid-bits or corrections/additions. But few are mentally as sharp as they were even a decade ago. All are generally repulsed at the vultures who descend on an award recipients family when they die, only one step up from the slobs who steal funeral ribbons, etc (have seen them on e-stand). They are smart enough in most cases to know those who send 5 of the same photo are profiteers.
When they FEEL like writing it is always welcome and replied of course. 96 years old "Wiking" German Cross in Gold and Knight's Cross holder Eberard Heder sent me this large format photo that arrived today, an inscribed image I did not have.
He helped with details beyond my research for his individual biography in volume 7 of "German Cross in Gold Holders of the SS and Police," as well as early details of the SS-Totenkopf-Pionier-Bataillon in which he served as the initial II.Zugführer of the 2.Kompanie while it formed and trained in Dresden with the Pioniersturmbann SS/VT.
I have always made it a point of giving any veteran I wrote something free and of interest to them personally rather than "buying" their time, though any costs they might incur I pay of course. Newer generation collectors often expect the world for free (including postage and photo costs). Probably part of the reason I have had contact with so many is my respect for their privacy; I am not a public access address book. And they know no photo will be sold as all are inscribed to me by name.
Also my condolences to Kam's family, his final years had numerous difficulties, I never have time for all the threads and all the forums.
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