Tag: German PoWs

Thinking of WW2 Veterans on Veteran’s Day

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Veteran’s Day need not be a politicized holiday. Looking back at these amazing photos that are the greatest gift my father left us, I see Americans fighting oppression and tyranny. I see the great nation and people of France so devastated yet only weeks after the end of the war the smiles have returned to many of their faces. Veteran’s Day is a day to remember what binds us all together, the valor of generations of young people to protect fellow humans. I am proud to say that my dad was a veteran of World War 2 along with his brother, who landed in Normandy 24 hours after D-Day, and their dad before them was a veteran of World War 1.

 

Le Havre & her harbor from the distant hill at Camp Home Run.Bernard McKenzie,

June 24, 1945

 

 

German PW’s are completing work on a volley ball court. Soon after they finished we played a game.

Bernard McKenzie, June 24, 1945, Camp Home Run

 

 

A flag raising ceremony at Camp Home Run.

Bernard McKenzie, June 24, 1945

 

 

Here we could write letters, play cards, checkers, ping pong, read, etc. (Camp Home Run Day Room)

Bernard McKenzie, Le Havre, France, June 24, 1945

 

 

At Camp Home Run–near Le Havre, France–we had all the service one would want. French girls served us in a cafeteria manner.

Bernard McKenzie, June 24, 1945

A Preview of My Dad’s Past, Through His Eyes and Words

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German PW’s are completing work on a volley ball court. Soon after they finished we played a game.

Bernard McKenzie, June 24, 1945

With a camera and a pen, my dad recorded for all of us many of his experiences and thoughts while in Europe during World War 2. With nearly 200 photos, many of which have incredible descriptions inked on the back, my dad left me a bit of a puzzle. While I have a pretty good idea of my dad’s story–including the six-month interruption in these photos caused by his internment by the Germans–spending the time to focus on these photos and inscriptions while I publish them here will surely help me fill in some of the blanks. I plan to tell the story of this enlisted member of the Army’s 87th Infantry Division, the Golden Acorns. And in doing so, I want to share his story told by these amazing mementos with the world.