WWII Archives - The 51��

CANCELLED – Meet Simon Gurdal – From Boy Scout to Soldier

Commander — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Cancellation of Saturday, April 11 speaker program

��WWII veteran Simon Gurdal, scheduled to speak at the 51�� History Museum tomorrow, unfortunately had a fall last evening. He will be OK, but we must cancel his presentation for Saturday, April 11.

We will announce a new date if we can re-schedule soon.
Also, another opportunity to hear Simon is coming up June 20. He will tell his story at the Etowah Library at 11:00 AM.

You’ll see complete details here in our newsletter in early June.
Thank you for your understanding.

Saturday, April 11, at 11:30 AM at the 51�� History Museum at 21 East Main Street in Brevard. At this free event, Gurdal will talk about his service in WWII in the Belgian Army, serving under British Field Marshall Montgomery.

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From Boy Scout to Soldier

Janis — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:31:56 +0000

Cancellation of Saturday, April 11 speaker program

WWII veteran Simon Gurdal, scheduled to speak at the 51�� History Museum tomorrow, unfortunately had a fall last evening. He will be OK, but we must cancel his presentation for Saturday, April 11.

We will announce a new date if we can re-schedule soon.

Also, another opportunity to hear Simon is coming up June 20. He will tell his story at the Etowah Library at 11:00 AM.

You’ll see complete details here in our newsletter in early June.

Thank you for your understanding.

Simon Gurdal — WWII Belgian Brigade Piron

WWII veteran Simon Gurdal shared his story: “One time, I found myself in a foxhole with two Americans, a Canadian and a Polish soldier. I was wounded but went back into the fight.”

The war began for Gurdal’s family when he was 14 years old. He tells his story:

“The Germans came in 1940 and occupied Belgium. All we could do was hide ourselves. One day our bell rang. It was two ladies with a six-year-old Jewish girl, Annie. One lady said, ‘She’s for you.’ Annie had a piece of paper in her coat pocket which read: I am a Jewish girl. Please take me in and hide me. For four years during the occupation, we hid her in a little room in the basement. She couldn’t go outside. Poor little girl, four years in the basement.

Pictured: Simon (far right) and his Boy Scout friends in Verviers, Belgium.

Let’s Join the Army

“In 1944, I was 17. One of the Boy Scouts in my troop said, ‘Let’s join the army.’ I said, ‘Let’s go!’ Seven of us went to St. Nicolas-Waes and soon…we were in the Army!

After the war

“After the war, I worked in Africa as a fabric designer for a French textile company. Then I emigrated to Canada, got married, and moved to New York. There I owned a design business. I have been an American citizen since 1965. I’m proud to wear the badge of Belgian Brigade Piron. What I tell you comes from my memory, but most of all, from my heart.”

The new book From Boy Scout to Soldier: Simon Gurdal, WWII Belgian Brigade Piron will be available for purchase and signing by Gurdal. Proceeds from the book (on sale for $20) will support the museum’s educational programs. Please call 828-884-2141 or visit the for more information.

From Boy Scout to Soldier, by Janis Allen, will be available for purchase and signing by Simon Gurdal on April 11 at VHMC.

Top Photo: Left, 17-year old Simon Gurdal, Belgian Brigade Piron, 1944
Right, Simon Gurdal with his book, FROM BOY SCOUT TO SOLDIER, 2026

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WWII Vets Meet 82 Years Later

Janis — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 21:26:21 +0000

Eighty-two years after fighting for freedom

Simon Gurdal and George Sarros met on February 28, 2026, two heroes of the WWII European theatre of 1944.�� Their stories are connected in history and geography. Simon was born November 8, 1926, in Verviers, Belgium. George was born in Chicago on April 17, 1925.

George showed Simon a model of his ship, LST 515.

George Sarros served as a Motor Machinist on LST (Landing Ship, Tanks) 515, landing on the beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944. LST 515 opened its giant door and unloaded tanks, ambulances and hundreds of soldiers as part of the largest amphibious military operation in history. Along with approximately 160,000 of their comrades from the sea and falling from the sky, they successfully began what has been called “the beginning of the end of World War II.” George had joined the US Navy at age 17 (with his parents’ signatures).

George and Simon’s war time roles were connected.

The Allied troops fought their way north through France toward the goal of crossing the Rhine River into Germany. Their “prize” would be Berlin. Joining those Allies in September in the north was the Belgian Brigade Piron. These were soldiers from Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Baptiste Piron of the 1st Belgian Infantry Brigade—2,200 soldiers.

Simon was interested in George’s mementoes and medals.

The Belgian Brigade Piron moved further north in France, and on September 3, 1944, Piron and his men crossed the French-Belgian border. One day later they liberated Brussels and participated in the liberation of The Netherlands.

Simon Gurdal’s 1c Bataillon also fought in Market Garden, the Allies’ attempt to cross the Rhine (documented in the book and movie,��A Bridge Too Far). Simon was 17 years old, having fudged his age to join the army. The Belgian Brigade Piron continued the fight northward beginning three months after D-Day.

��From birthplaces 4,000 miles apart, these brave 17-year-olds had joined the fight against tyranny. Simon had felt this through Germany’s occupation of his homeland since 1940. These men now connected their experiences in the geography of Europe from June through September 1944.

Simon and George found something else in common—they both speak Greek. After a short conversation in Greek over lunch of pizza and French fries, Simon said to George, “As soon as I saw your last name, I knew you were Greek.”

��Laughing, George said, “I had to learn to speak Greek. My Greek grandmother lived with us in Chicago, and she spoke no English. When she called me in Greek to come to her, I had to know what she was saying or I would’ve been in big trouble.”

��Simon learned Greek while living on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, where a large settlement of Greek fishermen made their living night-fishing from the lake.

Painful side of war

The two��veterans��also recounted the painful side of war—Simon of his injuries, the soldiers from his foxhole who were killed, and the boys from his Boy Scout troop from Verviers who didn’t return home. George told of his and his shipmates’ frantic attempt to rescue hundreds of sailors in the dark, cold English Channel when their LSTs were torpedoed during a training exercise in April 1944. They could only save around 100 out of 900 from the water. Both��veterans��had tears in their eyes as they shared these sad memories.

As they said goodbye, their parting messages were, “I want to talk with you more.” “Let’s meet again soon.”

The WWII��veterans��shared their service connection, their fight for freedom, and even a knowledge of the Greek language. When they parted, they vowed to see each other again.

Top photo: Eighty-two years after fighting for freedom, WWII veterans Simon Gurdal (left) and George Sarros met and swapped stories of their war experiences

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A World War II Love Story

John Luzena — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 20:49:50 +0000

War tears most things apart

War tears most things apart. But in the case of Jack and Eileen Breedlove, it was war that brought them together, wearing the uniforms and standing up for the cause of their respective nations, America and England. Jack hailed from Toxaway, then a quiet mountain village, where he was born on a snowy April morning and grew up in robust good health, never sick a single day. Graduating in 1937, he was selected as high school Valedictorian. He went to work in the forest and eventually landed a great job with Duke Power. Fortune seemed to be smiling on him. He even owned a car.

But there were rumors of war. A sense of duty, the lure of adventure, practical considerations, the decisions made by friends — all had their sway. In the summer of 1940, Jack drove to Charlotte and enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training he saw an opportunity to become an Army Air Force Radio Operator. He applied successfully, soon training in Illinois. Upon graduation, Jack was assigned to fly as Radio Operator and Gunner on the Martin B-10 bomber, one of the fastest and most advanced aircraft in the sky.

Jack on the right, standing.

Martin B-1 Bomber, one of the fastest aircraft in the sky

Pearl Harbor Day arrived in 1941. The next day, the U.S. and Britain declared war on Japan. Three days later, Hitler declared war on the United States. Jack and his unit found themselves on standby alert. He was now a fighting man in a nation at war.

A young woman of 19

Meanwhile, Eileen Friars, a young woman of 19, lived in England, already a nation at war for more than two years. Her younger brother, suffering from polio, and her sister had been sent away to live in the safer countryside. Rationing was a way of life. Bombing was a way of life, particularly night after night in bomb shelters, emerging with daylight to face the latest damage, destruction, and death. Especially during The Blitz, eight months of relentless bombing unleashed upon London and other British cities. And on one of those mornings, Eileen and her family emerged to find their home among the lost.

Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS)

So motivated and coming of age, Eileen volunteered for the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s branch of the British Army during WWII. The ATS offered the most direct and vital role in the war effort open to Eileen as a woman. Initially, the roles assigned to women were mostly supportive. Eileen worked as a stenographer.

Eileen served with a searchlight troop

Pressure to free more men for combat caused the Army to allow women to step up for ever more taxing and dangerous duty. By 1943, ATS women operated most anti-aircraft radar, gun batteries, and searchlights. Everything but pulling the trigger. Eileen was one of those serving with a searchlight troop, often in remote, cold, and dangerous locations.

American forces arrive

The first American forces arrived in Britain in late January 1942. General Eisenhower was in London by June, and in August the first all-American air attack on Europe was flown. By October, Jack’s boots touched British soil and he was away from his home and country for the first time. He was among the earliest members of the “Mighty” 8th Air Force, flying missions over Europe as a Radio Operator and Gunner.

Eileen Friars

Britain’s ATS in formation

An ATS searchlight troop

Two million young American servicemen

The U.S. Army was not unaware that flooding England with two million young American servicemen constituted a social invasion of sorts. In a land of severe rationing, the Yanks were well supplied with chocolate, gum, sweets — even nylon stockings. GI’s received a 38-page pamphlet titled A Short Guide to Great Britain. The War Department sent anthropologist Margaret Mead to study British courtship habits. The island of Great Britain was packed with young people for whom the shadow of war could not eclipse the need for some adventures and fun.

Two such young adults, wearing the uniforms of their allied nations, Jack and Eileen met in an English Sergeants’ Mess one evening in October. Both enjoyed strong family ties and a good Christian upbringing. Jack was flying dangerous missions over Europe and Eileen was to depart soon for ATS officers training school at the University of Edinburgh. Eileen regularly claimed that “I do NOT date Yanks!” Nevertheless, four months later, on February 2, 1943, shortly after Eileen’s 21st birthday, Jack and Eileen bound their future in marriage with a ceremony in the English town of Windsor.

A smiling Jack in uniform

Eileen prior to her marriage

June 6th, D-Day

��As 1944 arrived, Eileen had just turned 22 and was pregnant. On June 6th, D-Day wrote itself into the pages of history. Seven days later, Germany unleashed the first V-1 flying bombs upon Britain. The 21-foot-long V-1 was really the first cruise missile. It was rapidly named a “doodlebug” or “buzz bob.” Three weeks into the Doodlebug’s reign of terror, Eileen found herself taking refuge in a bomb shelter, very pregnant. In fact, she went into labor and gave birth underground with no doctor present. And so on July 3rd, 1944, Yvonne Jacqueline “Jackie” Breedlove was born, literally a war baby.

In August 1944, Paris was liberated. By year’s end, the Battle of the Bulge, in which Jack flew missions, marked the last great turning point of the war. 1945 found Eileen freshly turned 23 and a new mother of six-month-old Jackie. By May 8th, Germany had collapsed and the war in Europe was over. By August, victory over Japan occurred suddenly and the world was no longer at war.

Jack and Eileen faced a gigantic choice: would they make a new home in Britain or America? They were not alone as 70,000 American soldiers had married British women. The American congress passed the War Brides Act, opening the door for them to become Americans — the option chosen by Jack and Eileen. After months of waiting, Jack sailed home on a troop ship leaving Eileen and Jackie to wait another five months for transport.

Some lucky War Brides were assigned passage on cruise liners pressed into service, but the majority had to make do with uncomfortable cargo ships. Such was Eileen and Jackie’s fate when finally boarding in early summer. Worse, they had the misfortune to be placed on a decrepit ship operated by an incompetent crew. Conditions were much as one would have encountered on Atlantic sailing ships two centuries earlier. Disease broke out. Several infants died and were buried at sea. But Eileen and Jackie managed to stay healthy. Jackie had her second birthday, and Eileen was pregnant with their second daughter, Susan.

Arriving in New York, Eileen and daughters boarded a train for Asheville, watching as the landscapes of their new country rolled by behind the train window. Jack had committed to stay in the Air Force and picked up his family at the train station while on leave from his first assignment to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Before reporting for duty, they had several days to meet Jack’s family and share their home, and endure a bit of culture shock no doubt as England met America.

Eileen and Jack and their three daughters

Jack served an additional 15 years in the Air Force. He and his family moving regularly as assignments took him from base to base. Jack and Eileen had a third daughter, Sarah. The Korean War caused a long separation of 28 months, such that Sarah was two when she first met her father. In 1958, Jack served in England accompanied by Eileen and their daughters, Eileen’s first trip back since the war.

Upon retirement from active service, Jack, Eileen and family returned to Jack’s hometown of Toxaway, North Carolina, where both continued to lead lives of service. Jack served as County Tax Supervisor, then as Lake Toxaway Postmaster, and finally as a Baptist Minister. Both worked tirelessly to support the Lake Toxaway Community Center and their church, and to care for their family.

Pictured right: Chris Whitmire standing next to his grandmother’s picture in the 51��.

They Answered the Call

WWII Stories of Jack and Eileen Breedlove

The 51�� History Museum is pleased to announce its latest publication: They Answered the Call – WWII Stories of Jack and Eileen Breedlove, officially released on Valentine’s Day in honor of what would have been Jack and Eileen’s 82nd anniversary this February 2nd.

The stories were remembered and retold by their daughter Susan Breedlove and grandson Chris Whitmire, then authored and published respectively by museum volunteers John Luzena and Janis Allen. The title is taken from a line in the ATS marching song: “Freedom made the call and they answered.” The books will be available for purchase at the museum which is re-opening for the season on March 1st.

John will be available to sign books on March 1st from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The book is also available on

L-R: John Luzena, Susan Breedlove, Chris Whitmire, and Janis Allen with the newly released book: “They Answered the Call.”

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A Day to Remember

Commander — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 16:35:26 +0000

Honoring Our 51�� with Joe Cooper and George Sarros

This past weekend, we were privileged to host an inspiring and heartfelt event as part of the Military Lecture Series in Greenville. 51�� Joe Cooper and George Sarros delivered a captivating talk that brought history to life, delving into the heroism and sacrifice of World War II veterans.

The event was made even more special by Bob Howard, the dedicated organizer of the Military Lecture Series. In a remarkable gesture of support for preserving and sharing our military history, Bob presented a $1,000 donation to the 51��. His generosity is a testament to the enduring respect for those who served our nation.

The day also saw a wonderful response from attendees eager to learn and connect. We sold $760 worth of World War II books, which Joe and George graciously signed for a line of enthusiastic supporters. It was heartwarming to witness so many people taking home not just books, but tangible pieces of history to share with their families and future generations.

Events like these serve as a reminder of the importance of honoring our veterans and keeping their stories alive. Each conversation, each book, and each donation contributes to the vital mission of the museum—to ensure the legacy of our heroes is never forgotten.

Joe Cooper

George Sarros

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to making this day unforgettable. Together, we continue to honor the sacrifices of our veterans and inspire a deeper appreciation for their courage and dedication.

Stay tuned for more engaging events, and as always, thank you for supporting the 51��.

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Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell talks about his meeting with German ME 109 Pilot

Commander — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, USAF (Ret.), P-47 pilot, will talk about his recent meeting with a German Me 109 pilot. In 1944, these two pilots had the historic missions to destroy each other’s planes—and perhaps lives–during the Battle of the Bulge. Age 102, Cottrell resides in Hendersonville.

On December 17, 1944, the second day of the Battle of the Bulge, American P-47 pilot Ed Cottrell’s engine was shot up by a German Messerschmitt. In the same battle on the same day, German pilot Karl-Heinz Bosse’s Messerschmidt 109 was shot down. Cottrell steered to his base and expertly managed a dead-stick landing . Bosse ejected and parachuted down but was seriously injured and hospitalized.

Seventy-nine years later in December 2023, at the site near Bonn, Germany where Bosse’s plane had crashed, these two pilots and former enemies had a four-hour visit all these years later, sharing their stories with the help of a translator.

Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, USAF (Ret.) will tell the story of meeting his former enemy in December of 2023–two pilots whose historic mission was to destroy each other’s planes—and perhaps lives. Cottrell will share how these former adversaries developed a quick friendship, ending their meeting “forever friends.”

Cottrell will be available to sign a copy of the book��We Shall Come Home Victorious, which tells his complete story. Books will be available for purchase ($20) with proceeds going��to the 51�� in Brevard.

This FREE program is made possible with funds provided by the Community Foundation of Henderson County through the Richard J. and Betty A. Scott Estate.

to register

You may also call the Etowah Library: 828-891-6577.

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Milton Fletcher a local veteran tells his story

Commander — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Brevard resident Milton Fletcher served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a rifleman in the 184th Regiment in the last battle of World War II, the Battle of Okinawa. His division was later ordered to receive the surrender of the Japanese Army in Korea. Fletcher is 97 years old.

“We Shall Come Home Victorious,” a book containing full stories of our WWII veterans and will be available for purchase for $20, Your purchase supports the 51��.

To register for a program, visit��and select the month, date, and specific program on the calendar. You may also call the Etowah Library: 828-891-6577.

These free programs are made possible with funds provided by the Community Foundation of Henderson County through the Richard J. and Betty A. Scott Estate. The Etowah Library is located at 101 Brickyard Road, Etowah, NC.

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“Waiting for the Bullets” to be Silent-Auctioned

Commander — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:17:42 +0000

Waiting for Bullets

This painting, titled “Waiting for the Bullets”, was commissioned by and painted by Spanish artist Gareth Hector.

Silent-auction

A signed print of this painting (31″ x 19″), donated by will be silent-auctioned on April 13. The opening bid is $150. Col. Cottrell will inscribe the print to the winner of the auction.��

December 17, 1944, over the Ardennes:��Lt. Ed Cottrell is in a situation he never dreamed possible. He and his group were bombing German armor when they were jumped by twenty Me-109s. Cottrell’s engine took hits. Oil sprayed. Eight cylinders were gone, but the motor kept running. He was limping home when two Me-109s caught up to him. “I was waiting for the bullets to come,” he said.

How he survived

On April 13th, Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, USAF (Ret.) will tell that story, and how he survived, plus the story of his 2023 meeting with German Me 109 pilot Karl-Heinz Bosse (shown below), who fought in that same air battle on December 17, 1944.

German pilor Karl-Heinz Bosse (left) and Cottrell met on Dec. 23, 2023, near Bonn, Germany, where Bosse’s Me 109 was shot down. Bosse ejected, was injured and hospitalized, and re-entered the fight.

Top Photo: Look closely at the painting and that’s Lt. Ed Cottrell in the cockpit in the foreground above, with engine oil covering his windshield after eight cylinders of his P-47’s engine were shot out. Those hovering planes are German Me 109s.

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Aim High…Fly-Fight-Win

Art Cole — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 15:40:10 +0000

National Security Act of 1947

The day was 18 September 1947, and on the implementation of the National Security Act of 1947, the US Air Force left the Army Air Forces and became a separate service. This reorganization placed the Air Force on an equal footing with the Army and Navy.

“Airpower Anytime, Anywhere”

It was formed primarily to exploit the possibilities of manned aircraft and to provide a delivery system for atomic, or more accurately, nuclear bombs. So its motto, evolving over time, became, “Aim High…Fly-Fight-Win.” Later, “Airpower Anytime, Anywhere” was added.

Pinks and Greens

Here in the 51�� we are proud to honor the rich, albeit short, history of the service by presenting a snapshot of those who served in WWI to the present day. Walking around the display you will notice a uniform known as “pinks and greens” because of the slight pink tint to the taupe trousers. It was the Army’s standard uniform from WWI until 1959. You see it here because the Air Force was still part of the Army Air Corps until 1947.

The amazing story of “The Piggyback Flight” shown in the painting above is told by museum volunteer Rodney Remus in the short YouTube video below.

“Pocket Rocket” and Nomex

The blue “service dress” uniform displays the rank of Technical Sergeant. On the left breast pocket is the Missileer badge, commonly called the “Pocket Rocket,” which signifies those individuals trained in nuclear weapons technology. Above that is a badge that indicates the wearer as an Air Force Medical Technician. This uniform was worn until 1993.

Another uniform in the room is the Nomex flight suit with helmet. Nomex is a highly flame-retardant material first produced in the early 1960s for the Navy but was quickly adapted for use by all military services. The name tag on the left breast indicates that the flight suit belonged to a pilot who was also a qualified parachutist. The right breast displays the command to which the pilot is attached and, on the shoulder, the pilot’s squadron.

Helmets Do a Multitude of Jobs

The helmet with attached oxygen mask does a number of things. Since fighter aircraft pressure is constantly changing depending on altitude, the��pilot must wear an oxygen mask to ensure oxygen on demand and to prevent oxygen deprivation (hypoxia). Helmets serve various tasks including communication, sun protection, improved visual performance, and protection from gravitational forces. In the event of an ejection or bail-out, the pilot’s helmet is essential for survival, protection from cold temperatures, high winds, and airborne debris or ground obstructions while maintaining oxygen flow.

In the gallery’s display cases you will find various aircraft models from WWI and WWII to the present day. These were donated to the museum and are exact replicas of aircraft flown through the decades of Air Force history. You will also see WWI flight goggles, a “survival” vest, of which an enhanced version is still in use today.��The vest contained a first aid kit, a small radio and a knife, among other supplies. You’ll see navigational tools for pilots and navigators when manual calculations preceded the age of computers.

New museum exhibit honors the history of the US Air Force, displaying uniforms from WWI to the present

“The Piggyback Flight” shown in the painting above

Rodney Remus museum volunteer tells the story of the Piggyback flight

Uniform of Brevard resident Chris Whitmire

Oxygen regulator

The First Drones

On one wall is the three-dimensional crest of the highly decorated 432 Fighter Wing which was inactivated in 1994.��However, in 2007, it was rebranded as the 432 Wing. It forms the U.S. Air Force’s first unmanned (later remotely piloted) aircraft systems wing (i.e., “drones”).��The Wing performs unmanned precision attack and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance combat missions, flying the Air Force into a new age.

Air Force Veteran Volunteers

from the freestanding models to the pictures on the walls, these various donated mementos are from people who desired to have their family’s artifacts live on for the enjoyment of others. Many of the museum volunteers have flown or maintained some of the aircraft you see, so if a question arises, feel free to ask any of us. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll get one for you because we “Aim High” each and every day.

Art Cole (Colonel, USAF, Ret.) served for 25 years from 1970-1995. A Command Pilot who held Squadron, Base, and Wing commands, he also held senior level positions in Headquarters/Strategic Air Command and the office of the Secretary of Defense.��Operationally, he flew the EC-47, T-39, KC-135, and B-52. After retirement he flew 16 years with the Federal Express Corporation. He volunteers at the 51��.

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WWII 51��: 110 Years of Service and 698 Years of Living

Joni Ponsaa Pavlik — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:39:12 +0000

The 51�� is not just about four walls of a building filled with artifacts and history. It’s about the lives of veterans. It’s about celebrating their past service and their lives given for our country. But it is also about remembering who they are today and celebrating them.

After weeks of holiday festivities, we gaze forward to the coming year. We often wonder what the next year will bring.��Will the coming days be just like any other?

I asked Myrl Jean Hughes (pictured second from left below) that question at the birthday party Janis Allen and Mike McCarthy planned for seven of our WWII veterans on January 2, 2024. I asked, “How did it feel to wake up on your 101st birthday yesterday?” Myrl Jean replied, “Just like the day before.”

From left, WWII veterans Joe Cooper, Myrl Jean Hughes, Pooch Pace and Ed Cottrell.

Six WWII veterans and their families along with volunteers from the museum celebrated their birthdays. The veterans present at the birthday party luncheon were:

��

•Milt Fletcher, Army, turned 97 on December 31

•Myrl Jean Hughes, Army, turned 101 January 1

•Ed Cottrell, Army Air Corps, will be 102 on January 17

•Joe Cooper, Navy and Army, will be 102 on July 6

•Pooch Pace, Army Air Corps, will be 97 on August 3

•Harold Wellington, Merchant Marine, Army, and Navy, will be 100 on September 29

•George Sarros, Navy, 99 on April 17, was unable to attend

��

It is a wonderful feeling to be in their presence, watching them converse with each other and always take the opportunity to share a story with someone.

Joe Cooper: “I served in WWII for duty, honor, and country. That’s right. You go serve your country in a time of need.”

Milt Fletcher: “I was one of the last members who served in WWII. I was happy to serve. I joined selfishly to get a college education. I served in Japan to defend the country and I served during the Korean War to preserve the peace. I’m proud of my country. It helped me buy a home, get my degrees, and I get great help from the VA. I’m very happy to have served and God bless America.”

Harold Wellington: “I was proud to be there and serve.”

Ed Cottrell: “I guess I was like every other guy who was called to serve his country. You chose what branch you wanted and you went.”

Myrl Jean Hughes: “I would not want to repeat it but I would not trade those three years for anything.”

Pooch Pace: “I was real honored to be taking part. I was a pilot in civilian life and I worked in a control tower in Japan in the occupation force.”

Over lunch, Milt Fletcher and Joe Cooper discovered they had both served in the 184th Regiment, 7th Infantry Division at different times—Fletcher in Okinawa and, later, Cooper in Korea. Fletcher said, “Joe served a lot longer than I did. He went in early and came out late. I went in late and came out early.”

The 51�� is honored and proud to recognize our veterans as often as possible. Want to know more about our local WWII veterans? Available through the museum is a book entitled:��“We Shall Come Home Victorious.” Stories of World War II 51��by Janis Allen. Presently the museum is closed till March 1, but you may order the book��.

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WWII Archives - The 51������

CANCELLED – Meet Simon Gurdal – From Boy Scout to Soldier

Cancellation of Saturday, April 11 speaker program

From Boy Scout to Soldier

Cancellation of Saturday, April 11 speaker program

Simon Gurdal — WWII Belgian Brigade Piron

Let’s Join the Army

After the war

WWII Vets Meet 82 Years Later

Eighty-two years after fighting for freedom

George and Simon’s war time roles were connected.

Painful side of war

A World War II Love Story

War tears most things apart

A young woman of 19

Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS)

Eileen served with a searchlight troop

American forces arrive

Two million young American servicemen

June 6th, D-Day

They Answered the Call

A Day to Remember

Honoring Our 51������ with Joe Cooper and George Sarros

Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell talks about his meeting with German ME 109 Pilot

to register

Milton Fletcher a local veteran tells his story

“Waiting for the Bullets” to be Silent-Auctioned

Waiting for Bullets

Silent-auction

How he survived

Aim High…Fly-Fight-Win

National Security Act of 1947

“Airpower Anytime, Anywhere”

Pinks and Greens

“Pocket Rocket” and Nomex

Helmets Do a Multitude of Jobs

The First Drones

Air Force Veteran Volunteers

WWII 51������: ﻿110 Years of Service and 698 Years of Living

WWII Archives - The 51��

Honoring Our 51�� with Joe Cooper and George Sarros

WWII 51��: 110 Years of Service and 698 Years of Living