Pictured are French students whosurrounded Mr. Blatnik and Mr. Tweed and asked such deep questions. Their questions reflected their understanding of the Allied Invasion, the significance of the liberation of their country and the price of freedom.
It gives us great hope in their generation that they will keep the memory of these men alive and take the flame forward so other generations can enjoy freedom and peace.
Below is an email received from the tacher.
Hello,
I'm a teacher un France and we have been very lucky to meet you at Coleville sur mer the 4th of june. The children ( and us!) have been really happy to meet you, it's a real chance for the children! The two classes wanted to let you a message, so I write it from them:
" Hello,
we are very happy to have met you last tuesday. We'll never forget this meeting with you; thank you so much to have answered our questions. thank you for all you did for our country. We are proud of your braveness and your generosity. We'll remember this day forever. We hope you'll give us some news. With all our friendship.
La classe de CM2 A"
" Hello,
Thank you very much for this unforgettable moment shared with you. Thank you for having liberated our country. We are very happy to have met you. thanks to have answered our questions; We were happy to sing for you. you'll always be heroes for us, and you'll stay in our heart forever!
La classe de CM2 B".
Thanks again!
Nolwenn Judais, teacher
Daughters President and co-founder Laura Leppert with Marty Daneman and Elise Power.
Inaugural Jack Altman Award given at V-E Day Event
Martin L “Marty” Daneman of Plano and Ken and Sherry Goldberg of Dallas were co-recipients of the inaugural Daughters of World War II Jack Altman Humanitarian Award. The award is given to individuals that demonstrate a strong devotion to community service, compassion for his fellow man and hope for all mankind. The award was given May 8 on the 68th anniversary of V-E Day (Victory in Europe) at a program held in the Dallas City Performance Hall.
The award is named for Jack Altman, an Auschwitz concentration camp survivor who immigrated to the to the United States in 1953, eventually settling in Texas in 1970. He co-founded the Dallas Holocaust Memorial Center in 1984 and was a regular speaker to Dallas school groups, telling his holocaust story in order to increase awareness of the Holocaust in the Dallas community.
The evening included a concert by Elisabeth von Trapp, granddaughter of he legendary Maria and Baron von Trapp, whose story inspired "The Sound of Music."
Donations are being accepted to pay for veterans to return to
Iwo Jima. In March, Laura Leppert accompanied three veterans
who went back to Iwo Jima to visit 68 years after the
famous battle. Don Graves is interviewed in the
video below and tells what it was like to return.
Daughters President and Co-Founder Laura Leppert accompanied veterans to visit Iwo Jima. One day a year, Japan allows Iwo Vets and members of their families to visit.
"Veterans and Daughters on Mount Suribachi, March 13, 2013. From left to right: Colonel John Antal, US Army (Ret.); Mr. Fiske Hanley, US Army Air Corps B-29 Flight Navigator in WWII; General Snowden, USMC (Ret.) and WWII Iwo Jima veteran; Bill Schott, WWII USMC Iwo Jima veteran; Don Graves, WWII USMC Iwo Jima veteran; and Laura Leppert, Daughter of 5th Marine, 26th Regiment, 1st Battalion. Laura Leppert and COL John Antal escorted Mr. Hanley, Schott and Graves to Iwo Jima.
Laura Leppert, Daughter of 5th Marine, 26th Regiment, 1st Battalion. Don Graves, 5th Marine, 28th Regiment, 2nd Battalion. Witnessed both flag Raisings on Mt. Surabachi.
