One of my missions with the work I do is to help people tell their stories so our veterans and family members are not forgotten. The more we share our personal, family, and veteran stories, the more we learn about ourselves and each other. Our stories also honor those who came before us. In some cases, they may teach life lessons.
This month we honor our World War II veterans as we commemorate the end of WWII on VE Day, May 8. We also remember those who gave their lives for our freedom in all wars, on Memorial Day. Less then two weeks later, we commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings.
As a way to honor those who served in World War II, those who died, and those who remained on the home front, you are invited to share your veteran stories with me to be published on the WWII Research & Writing Center website starting May 13 and running through June 7, 2024.
Sharing Stories May Help You & Others
By sharing your stories, it may help someone else discover the stories of their veterans. This could be because their veteran was in the same unit as yours.
You may help someone start researching their grandmother’s civilian life during the war or her work as a Rosie.
You may be connected by a family member you didn’t know existed. It’s been my experience that through posting stories about my ancestors and writing their books, people have come to me over the years to give me family artifacts they no longer want or know I would care for because I wrote the story about an individual.
You may help someone heal a piece of themselves. How? When we share not only the “good” things our veteran did, but also the “bad” or “hard” things, or the way the war affected them and the family, it may help others see the same in their family. Or perhaps admit their family isn’t the only one who endured…. or suffered ….. or had to remain silent…. or was dysfunctional in some way. War impacted everyone.
Writing the stories can be healing for you! I’ve written over 20 books in the last decade and a half. Some of those were stories about my ancestors who died in war. To say they were emotionally difficult to research and write is an understatement. I cried a lot. I learned I could love someone I’d never met. And pieces of my heart and life healed through the writing and sharing of the stories. I came out the other side of the process a different and better version of myself.
Submit Your Story
To submit a story for publication:
- In the email Subject line please put VETERAN or CIVILIAN STORY.
- Give your story a title.
- Send your story as text in the body of an email to me at info@wwiirwc.com.
- Please keep stories on the shorter side so people will read them. If you have a lengthy story to share, please let me know.
- Feel free to include sources where you obtained the information in your story so others learn about available records and resources.
- If you are stuck or have questions you hope someone can help with, add those in your story. You never know who will reach out to assist.
- Include one or two photos to go with the story. If you do not have a photo please let me know.
- Include YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION by way of an email address, your website, or other ways you want people to be able to reach you. You never know who may reach out because you told your story.
Thank you for sharing your stories. I look forward to reading and posting them!
Research Your Veteran’s Story
If you’d like to learn your veteran’s history, I take research and book clients. Email me at jennifer@ancestralsouls.com and let’s set up a time to chat. I offer free consults to discuss the research strategy, fees, time, and possibilities.
You can also pick up a copy of my book Research a Veteran which will guide you through the initial information gathering.
© 2024 WWII Research & Writing Center
Apr 1945: The 6th Armored Division was advancing into Germany when word came from General Omar Bradley that a deserting German officer had informed American Intelligence of a secret underground communications center 30 miles west of Weimar in the vicinity of Ohrdruf. This underground complex was an alternate command communications center designated for future use by Hitler and the German high command. CCA of the 6th Armored Division was ordered to seize the high ground in this area in preparation to capture the communications center. 20 miles away was another underground complex located in the salt mines of Merkers. Two local German women informed the Americans that there was gold in the Merkers salt mine. The 3rd Reich’s entire gold reserves along with invaluable art from Berlin’s art museums was discovered in the mines. (As depicted in the movie “Monuments Men” 2014)
On 11 April, an advance scouting party from the 6th Armored Division encountered recently escaped Russian POWs who directed the soldiers to Buchenwald Labor Camp just outside Weimar. The German guards fled the camp on news of the advancing Americans while the inmates raided the camp commissary and seized weapons from the German armory, liberating themselves and allowing elements of the Sixth Armored Division to walk in to take charge of the facility. (“The Beasts of Buchenwald” 2011)
Colonel Jim Moncrief, G-1 of the 6th Armored Division, arrived at Buchenwald on 11 April then contacted Colonel Caleb Boggs, Division G-4, to arrange delivery of food, medical supplies and personnel from Sixth Armored Division and 3rd Army. (“As You Were Soldier” JM 1996)
Medics from the 120th Medical Evacuation Hospital arrived in Buchenwald on 16 April to assist with evacuation and treatment of 5,000 inmates. Fresh water was transported to the camp, sanitary facilities built and all 21,000 inmates were dusted with DDT to kill disease-causing lice. The 45th Evacuation Hospital set up a Station Hospital near Weimar to receive Buchenwald inmates.