Normandy

“Our father died before my brother, my sister, and I understood the significance of the war and his role in it. In 2014, using his journal, maps and photographs as our guide, we retraced his steps from Omaha Beach to the Elbe River. Along the way, we met with historians and others, whose first-hand accounts […]

“Allen Stanger was my great-great-uncle, and my father, Scott Zeller, remembers that he had the most amazing bonsai tree collection in their apartment. Robert Hershey was my great-grandfather’s sister’s son, and he loved playing tricks on my dad at family gatherings. Herman Zeller was my great-grandfather’s brother, and he was a good storyteller.” – Aaron […]

“He was awarded one Silver Star, one Bronze Star, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medals with three Bronze Stars Combat Infantryman badges. His leadership, his kindness, and his resolve to bring out the best in his men gained their utmost respect and admiration. Edward Horvath’s great-granddaughter, Raven Pfeiffer, will be wearing his sash during the ‘Pride of […]

“I was too young to remember my great-uncle personally; he passed away about 20 years ago.” – Drew Baldy, student Francis T. “Frank” Baldy, remembered by his great-nephew, Drew Baldy Frank “The Barber” Baldy survived Pearl Harbor and later befriended famed Naval ace, Butch O’Hare. Francis T. “Frank” Baldy was assigned to the battleship USS […]

“On Dec. 10, 2006, Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, posthumously recognized Hein and Martha Snapper as Righteous Among the Nations. Hendrikus and Martha Snapper passed away in 1979 and 1980.” – Ryan Snapper, parent of Alexa Snapper, student Hendrikus and Martha Snapper, remembered by their grandson, Ryan Snapper My grandparents risked their lives […]

“I was very young when he died, but I remember him visiting our home to look at our garden, as he loved gardening. He seemed like a giant, standing 6-foot-4. He was a very cheerful guy who you would not have thought had been through such horror. He is our family hero!” – Michael Glazebrook, […]

“My favorite memories of Pepere are fishing and his pipe. Pepere smoked a great-smelling tobacco and I loved sitting on his lap when I was young so I could smell his pipe. Pepere owned a small fishing camp; I remember fishing on Lake Champlain in New York. We would fish for hours and bring them […]

“I have fond memories of family cookouts and gatherings at my Great Uncle Bill’s farm, where my six siblings and I could run and explore. We loved to go into the barn to see all the ‘farm history’ from years gone by. While Uncle Bill and Aunt Mid didn’t have children, they showered us with […]

“Private First Class (Pfc.) Rasberry was honorably discharged Oct. 9, 1945, and was separated from the U.S. Army Oct. 15, 1945, arriving home safe and sound to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with his beloved family. Pfc. Rasberry was very proud that he had served his country, and his family are extremely proud of his contributions […]

“The bravery of those men, although most were the same age as us attending UNC Charlotte, to see this kind of carnage day in and day out, but continue to get in those planes and fight for our freedom, is unimaginable. I want to thank all servicemen, especially those that have seen combat and those […]