Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941 and made a huge impact on the world, including a tall, thin salesman, 25 years old living in a small community in western Pennsylvania. Little did he know the actions of the Japanese would forever change his life path. The following day he enlisted in the United States Army, much to his parents' concern. Undaunted he forged forward like many of his peers who became know as "The Greatest Generation". He ended up becoming a pilot of the B24's and flew in the European and African fronts. He used to enjoy telling stories about how he ran out of gas flying over the Mediterranean sea and glided to a stop on the beach, or how they landed and crossed a farm field to discover once on the other side it was filled with land mines.... The real trick, he'd say, was how they got back across it. He'd reminisce about the girl he had met at the USO concert in December and how she had followed him to Phoenix the following May for their wedding. (Then they had 4 children one of them being me and the other Pierre).
He was a Veteran and this week we celebrate all veterans...We thank you all for your service to our country and the enormous sacrifices you have made on our behalf. We ask the Good Lord for keep and protect all of you currently serving and those who have done so. God bless you.
-Claire Wiegand
