January  7, 2008 Easy Company Tour - Sept. '07 Ray & Cristy,                 I just wanted to take a minute and, once again, thank you for such a wonderful tour.  I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to many places in my life, but I must say that your tour was by far the most meaningful trip that I have been on.  I am a lover of history, so the knowledge that you were able to share was just fantastic.  With this being our first trip to Europe, the efforts that you put into making sure that every detail was taken care of (i.e., the transportation, hotels, meals, breaks, etc.) allowed us to just relax, take in the sights, and absorb the history.  It was absolutely wonderful.  Thank you so much and I hope that Renaye and I will be able to go on another tour with you sometime in the near future. Larry and Renaye Dillon

 

October 2, 2007 Ray and Cristy,     Just wanted to thank you again for an amazing trip......... I can't begin to express what a fantastic experience this was. Ray's knowledge and expertise made the battle of Normandy really come alive. His personalized guidance made this such a unique tour, and I was able to see many "off the beaten path" areas I never would have found otherwise.  In fact, I'd probably still be wandering around lost in translation!  And Cristy's trip planning and assistance was invaluable, and made the journey that much better (well, except on the way home...but I was out of your hands at that point!) This really was a dream come true for me, and I can't thank you both enough.    I look forward to bringing my family to the region in the future, and we'd love to meet up with you again someday. Thanks again, Ian Graham

 

December 7, 2007 Dear Ray and Cristy,    The 2007 Easy Company  506th PIR Tour was a tour I shall never forget. With nearly 600 photos taken, the two photo albums I put together were very time-consuming, but well worth it.    The trip (tour) was flawless in all ways. You people do a fantastic job. From greeting us at CDG Airport to seeing us off at the Brussels Airport was wonderful. There was not one problem that I can remember going wrong on the tour. Everything went like clockwork.     Thank you for a wonderful WWII tour and for meeting some of the many friendly people in these towns and cities we toured.     Historic Tours is far and beyond the best there is. Should anyone ask me for a good WWII tour, I would give them your website with its vast information gallery of pictures and FAQs. Should you need or would like pictures for your website, I’ll be glad to send you a copy of my CD, just let me know. Enclosed are a few photos I’ve taken. Hope that you enjoy them. Take care and have a Merry Christmas, All my best, Joe (Langenbach)

 

September 29, 2007 Dear Ray and Cristy,   I just had to write and let you know how much I enjoyed your recent Easy Co. tour.  It was certainly everything I hoped for and more.  I'm not usually a group tour person, but I must admit, yours was wonderful.  It certainly shows that you have a lot of experience doing them.  I usually starve when I travel to Europe because of being somewhat of a picky eater.  This time I believe I packed on a couple of pounds!  Selection and quantity was good and the desserts were fantastic.    Having the group to your home was a special touch.  Everyone I talked to thought you went above and beyond.  I had many wonderful conversations in your backyard.  I can't thank you enough for what you did for Nick… The reception, certificate, coin and cap were just so special.  His mom told me he couldn't wait until I got home to see all my photos.  What he didn't realize was I had all the other mementos for him…….. But as Babe wrote on an autographed item, he's "HANGING TOUGH".  Even such a simple gesture of having people sign the sheet of paper on the bus was much appreciated.   Secondly, I can't believe the quality of people on this tour.  What a group of caring, interesting individuals….Keep us all on the mailing list for future tours. I know a lot of people who would love to tour w/ you again.  Is this common for people to bond like this on your trips?  I've never experienced this on other trips and wonder if this was just luck of the draw.  I had so many deep discussions with my new friends, I still can't believe it.   Best wishes, John White

 

August 2, 2007 Ray and Cristy Sorry for the delay in returning your e-mail. I hope that you enjoyed your time in Ireland. Ray, it is hard to express just how much we appreciate how you arranged the details of our trip with my dad. While we greatly enjoyed the educational and historic parts of your presentations, it was how you arranged and handled the emotional and honorific aspects of our time in Normandy  that we will always remember.  Sarah and I thank you for how you planned our  visit to the Utah Beach Museum and also to the American Cemetery.  More importantly, you made an impression on a 93-year-old veteran whose has dementia and little short-term memory. For this we all thank you. We have come to accept that if you are able to make a vague, but lasting positive impression (or memory) with Al, then you have achieved a victory. Your efforts were victorious. Perhaps the greatest surprise we had while there was how well Al was received by the French people. The extent to which many went to thank him and hug him was touching. Again, it will the the emotional aspects of this trip that will remain in our memories. Sarah and I have been to France several times and have always found the French to be good people, but we were not prepared for the outpouring of appreciation that they showed Al.  One of the more poignant stories that you told us is how on the U.S. Memorial Day, while many of our countrymen are barbequeing or looking for sales, French families are honoring our war dead. Sarah and I intend to return to the Normandy area at some point. There is so much more there to experience that was not possible to do so on this trip. We very much hope that we will be able to meet you again when we return. I have not forgotten about doing a video for you. The realities of being back to work at a busy time have hit me, but I will come through for you. I think that my "Normandy Movie" will be several months in the making. I will try to get you some small clips that you might find useful as soon as I can. Who knows, perhaps the next time we see each other it will be to make WWII Tour videos. Again, thank you both very much for giving us an experience we will always treasure. Paul and Sarah

 

90th I.D. Memorial Periers, France Ray, I wanted to write to thank you for one of the true highlights of me life. The two days I spent with you was a true blessing. I will always be indebted for your help in allowing me to walk where my father served. I have shared my experience with so many since I returned and each time I am thankful that I can help tell the story of how special all those men and women were from the Greatest Generation. Your ability to allow me have such a unique experience was awesome. Mark Humrichouser The Proud Son of John Humrichouser Sergeant 315th Medical Battalion 357th Regiment 90th Infantry Division

 

October 8, 2004 South Philly, PA Dear Cristy and Ray, I want to thank you both and Sue, Steve and Alain. The trip we just came back from was the best! It took me back to the 40’s. Enjoyed all and want to thank you both for the nice things you did for Babe and me. I also want to thank all were in the background. There was a lot of homework done behind the scenes. Thank them too! Just remember this – your tour – the Easy Company 60th Anniversary Commemorative Tour was the best! Thanks a million for all of the memories. Love to all, “Wild Bill” Guarnere Easy Company 506th P.I.R. 101st Airborne Division Band of Brothers Dear Cristy and Ray, I want to thank both of you once again for the wonderful September 2006 tour – Babe and I look forward to traveling with you in 2007. “Wild” Bill Guarnere Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division South Philly

 

This was the trip of a lifetime for us. And you certainly made it so. We love you both. The best to you in the future. JoAnn Pszenny Anne Couhig

 

..."First I want to thank you both for the finest trip to Europe that I ever been on. I must tell you two people what a wonderful job you did as the leaders of this tour group." Edward “Babe” Heffron Easy Company, 506th P.I.R. 101st Airborne Band of Brothers From South Philly Dear Cristy and Ray, Well you did it again! I did not think anything could beat the tour of 2004, but you sure did! The young people on the tour made my outlook on today’s youth a lot different. They made me proud to be part of your tour. They can cry also as we grown men are not supposed to, but do. I know Bill Guarnere feels the same about the tour. Your love of America also stood out again. Ray again showed his knowledge of World War II is the best I’ve ever heard. Thanks again for letting Bill and I speak for the kids who did not come home. Edward “Babe” Heffron Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division South Philly

 

Cristy, This was truly my Dream Trip. Imagine…a dream coming true! I was concerned that my son who’s not the history buff that I am, wouldn’t really enjoy what I wanted to do. But he did… SO much! I’m a bit surprised how much he got into what we did and saw. and what Ray told us. And he picked up on things I didn’t .. we are still talking about it and I imagine we will for a long, long time. The diploma of honorary citizenship for my father really threw me for a loop. I was so surprised .. and moved. I wish my Mom were alive to see it. I’m going to copy and frame it and give copies to my sister and brother. What a thoughtful thing for you and Ray to do! In this day and age of superficial sentiment, it is so nice to meet two people who really do care about the people with whom they work – and go the extra mile. Again ….thanks so much. It was incredible… just incredible. I hope to be a part of one your other tours and will check to see if any of them fit into my school schedule. Mary Ann Watkins

 

Forwarded from History Travel and The History Channel: We have just returned form the Beaches to the Rhine tour with Cristy and Ray Pfeiffer. What an incredible experience! I had some misgivings at first, as we had our six-year-old son with us, but he enjoyed it as much as we did. The tour far exceeded my expectations. While this provides a living for Cristy and Ray, it is obviously a labor of love. Ray’s knowledge of military subjects, particularly the war in Europe, is encyclopedic. He provided minute details of all the places visited. Many of the places and memorials were out of the way. I don’t see how it would be possible for someone to do this on their own. For example, it is doubtful that individuals traveling on their own would enjoy private receptions with local officials as we did. I also found the opportunity to participate in the flag raising ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery quite moving. Not a single detail was overlooked. The hotels were wonderful and the food was excellent. Cristy and Ray have been doing this for so long that they really have it down to a science. I feel that they have become friends as well as tour guides. They took our son Chip under their wing and took such good care of him, answering his questions and watching out for him. There was enough to do for the non-military types, too. My wife enjoyed the river cruises on the Seine and the Rhine. We will remember this trip for the rest of our lives. I would give this tour my highest recommendation for anyone interested in WWII history A 10+! The Pfeiffer’s are truly a credit to the History Channel. Sincerely, Allen J. Jones, MD Port Orange, FL

 

Dear Ray and Cristy, We want to tell you how much we appreciated your hard work to make the V-Day 60 Anniversary Commemorative the finest tour that, without a doubt, we have ever been on and ever will be on. Very obvious to us were the tremendous amounts of "connections"(pull) and preparations involved in putting together a tour of such magnitude. Coincidence had nothing to do with the village reception of French thanks at Sainte Marie-du-Mont; the seating at the D-Day memorial ceremony at the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach; our friendly welcome by Superintendent Atkinson, American Ambassador Terpeluk, and Helen Patton (General Pattons granddaughter) at the American Cemetery in Luxembourg; the ceremony of genuine gratitude shown to Americans at Clervaux, etc. Such heart-warming and historical experiences were the result of much moxie and concern on the part of seasoned tour operators who, it would seem, realized this might be the historical tour of their lifetimes as well as ours. To you, Ray and Cristy, and to Sue Erickson. Carole Barre. Catherine Bitai, and all the others who had a hand in putting together and carrying out such a magnificent undertaking, our heartfelt thanks. Cordially yours. Bob and Deanne Gancarz P.S. The certificates of French appreciation given to us on behalf of the people of Sainte Marie-du-Mont were overwhelming for our Normandy veteran friends back home to whom they were presented.

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