Pulling Back the Curtain on the Unsung Heroes

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times

Late last year, I was invited by a friend to come along for an official county visit to honor a 100-year-old veteran of World War II. His name was George Kaleel. The county commissioner had decided to surprise him with a certificate of appreciation for his service and to commemorate the fact that he had reached the century mark.

I drove up to a quaint home located at the end of a long street. His daughter and granddaughter greeted us and introduced us to a man who couldn’t have been more than 5-foot 6-inches. He appeared most definitely shorter with the hunch of age. His mind, however, was still crisp and his personality full of life.

The relatively quick introduction would turn into a documentary project about his experiences in the war that would span several months. I sit here writing this article in honor of Memorial Day and of all those who have now passed on, which now, as of this April 19, includes Kaleel.

I was about a week away from showing a rough draft version of the documentary to him, his daughter, and granddaughter when I received word that his heart had given out and he was gone. To know the project was so near completion and that he wouldn’t get the chance to see it was heartrending. Friends and colleagues, even his family members themselves when I attended his funeral, said that it was enough to have captured his story before he passed. And I’m certain, in the grand scheme of things, it is.

Kaleel was a truck driver for the First Army’s 7th Corps. His first day of the war was June 6, 1944―D-Day―and his journey sent him through the beaches of Normandy, through war-torn Belgium, across the Rhine River, and into the heart of Germany. He was part of the capture of 8,000 Germans on the shore of Utah Beach. He had his front teeth knocked out by German soldiers disguised in American uniforms, shortly before he shot both of them.

He interacted personally with Gen. George Patton in order to obtain much-needed trucks for the crossing of the Rhine River. He was there when the First Army attacked, liberated, and ventured into a Nazi underground facility in the Harz Mountains. He experienced the results of the Hitlerjugend (the Hitler Youth), where young boys were given guns and, as he put it, were told to “kill. Everything was kill.” He helped liberate Jewish people who were being slaughtered in a small town. He and his corps were on a ship headed to Japan to continue the fight until the radio announced Japan’s surrender.

BY DUSTIN BASS

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Doxed Democrats Are Getting Fired Left and Left

Not a misprint because a title of “left and...

Hold Up, Feds, Without Federalism, There Is No USA

Federalism is essential to governing the U.S., yet the federal government is undermining it by bribing states to implement unnecessary federal programs.

A Widow Inspires The World

Erika Kirk moved the nation with her speech two days after her husband’s assassination, vowing to continue his mission and grow Turning Point USA.

Both Left and Right Are Making Lists

The right admired Charlie Kirk for his faith and patriotism, while the left opposed him for dismantling their positions and narratives with ease.

Redemption’s playbook: The Senior

The Senior isn’t your usual underdog tale, it’s real, it’s raw, and it flips every cliché on its head with a playbook full of grit and plenty of aftermaths.

US and Qatar Working on Enhanced Defense Pact Following Israeli Strike in Doha

US and Qatar are nearly finished hashing out a new defense cooperation agreement, Sec. of State Rubio said during a trip through the Middle East.

Trump to Appeal Ruling Allowing Fed Governor Lisa Cook to Keep Her Job

The Trump admin will appeal a three-judge panel’s ruling that prevents the president from firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Murderer Confessed Shortly After Shooting, Messages Show

The man accused of murdering conservative influencer Charlie Kirk confessed to the killing in text messages, authorities said on Sept. 16.

News Anchor Resigns After Being Suspended Over On-Air Charlie Kirk Tribute

A WICS-ABC20 Springfield anchor resigns after being suspended for paying on-air tribute to the late Charlie Kirk.

Trump Supports Designating Antifa a Terrorist Organization

President Trump said he would support designating the antifa movement a terrorist organization in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination last week.

US Conducts Strike on Another Drug Boat From Venezuela: Trump

Three people were killed in a U.S. strike on a Venezuelan drug boat, President Donald Trump announced on Sept. 15.

Trump Signs Memo Targeting Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

President Trump signed a memo to ensure drug ads give fair, balanced, and complete information to protect and inform American consumers.

Trump Runs out of Patience With China, Sharpens His Words

President Donald Trump’s recent remarks targeting China and its allies mark a noticeable shift in tone.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central