In November we begin to think about being thankful for all we have. Each November 11th in America, we observe Veterans Day. Veteran's Day is a day of giving recognition to those who sacrificed for our freedom . This is for the volunteers and those who were also drafted. Maybe some don't realize that not all veterans were volunteers. I myself had forgotten and was reminded of it recently.

 By taking my kids to a WWII reenactment in Vincennes, IN, a WWII Vet recently gave his experiences. He brought me to tears on what he shared and it hit me in my heart in a new way with a deeper appreciation of what these men and women have done for us all. It gave me a new appreciation for the freedoms we have today. 

  I also interviewed another WWII veteran that was there and recorded it for you to see. He is so positive and lively. He is a fortunate man to have survived one of the most dangerous places during the war. Have a listen.

During this trip, I learned more about WWII than I ever had in the past. I spoke to reenactors who not only dress and act the part but have studied this history so well. They share a lot about what happened in different parts of the world during that time. History is a part of who we are and living it for them is keeping the lessons alive.

 For an example, they say WWII Veterans came from the "Greatest Generation."  Why were they called the Greatest Generation?

 Well, the best way I can understand this is by my meeting with a WWII US Pilot named Charles Huppert. He was a pilot with the 486th Bomb Squadron of the 340th Bomb Group of the great 57th Bomb Wing. He was the first that told me about the true story that is now called the Great Escape.  70 soldiers from around the world escaped in one night from one particular camp.  Charles was moved to a different POW camp just before the escape happened to live to tell the world about it. 

 Charles began to tell me that to escape the soldiers decided to dig a tunnel in the ground made of mostly sand. They dug 30 ft down! To see, they needed electricity as there wasn’t enough air for candles.  They began to bargain for wire w/ the German soldiers with  items that the Red Cross was sending overseas. They knew how to make the electricity with the Klim cans (milk cans that were given to the POWs from the Red Cross that were called Klim - milk spelled backwards.) They added the wire to the milk cans to make the electricity.   They needed to build the tunnel - no problem they said as they  used the boards from their beds. They needed passports to travel out of the country after the escape - no problem they said as they used rubber from the bottom of their shoes. They needed to get rid of the sand - no problem they said as they became instant gardeners to help spread the sand from their pockets a little at a time. These determined soldiers finally did escape in the evening!  I don't want to tell you the ending here as you may want to watch the movie called the Great Escape with Steve McQueen.

 Not having the life skills to do that, I may have given up easily in such a situation, and easily could have felt sorry for myself for being in a POW camp like that for over a year!

 AsI listened to Charles tell his story, I gained a new understanding. I felt that I needed to hear it told, to help me understand why it’s better to never ever give up! Before I may have had too much fear to handle a POW camp overseas! I am not sure if I would have even thought about doing anything like it. I could see myself waiting to be rescued. But they did everything they could to seize the day, which was quite impressive!

This to me is an example of why they were the greatest generation. While being at the re-enactment, I realized there were all kinds of stories like this! So much more than I could have even imagined. They really did give their all!

Being that WWII Veterans are around 100 years old, I thought their stories were precious to share this Veteran’s Day.

It would be great to watch the Great Escape sometime in November with young adults who maybe can make a difference in their life, like it did mine.

And please be sure to Thank a Veteran this Veteran’s Day and anytime you see someone with their veteran hat on - they are wearing it to remind us of what they did for all!

Happy Veteran’s Day to all who have served and to those that are today.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/courierpress/name/charles-huppert-obituary?id=12072795

The info is given more credit here in Charles obit.