June 6, D-Day in art

HONOR A VETERAN — FLY YOUR FLAG

D-Day memorial, Beford, VA

The 116th on Omaha Beach by K. Sean Sullivan

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A recent new book release, something I don’t normally do in a post, caught my eye this week…

“The Girls of Atomic City” by Denise Kiernan

An intriguing tale of women who worked under top security conditions and sworn to secrecy. Now in their 80’s and 90’s finally have their story related. Under eminent domain, the government seized 60,000 acres in East Tennessee and created a massive industrial complex that would not be located on any map. The girls in this atomic city worked to create the atomic bomb without any knowledge of the drastic effects of the plutonium radiation. This is an unknown (in some cases forgotten) chapter of American history. The women of WWII, usually portrayed as ‘Rosie the Riveter’ or military nurses can now add the names of those from the cramped encampments of Oak Ridge.

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This explains why I am always asking my readers to get as many stories down for future generations…

Farewell Salutes….

Clair Glen Andersen – Navy, Combat Communications Team, Bronze Star for combat on Guam

Robert Lee Bechtel – Army Air Corps, radio operator

Irving Ritz – Navy, USS Hilo in Pacific Theater

Charles F. Anderson II – Navy, South Pacific

Quareno “Pete” Colantonio – Army Air Corps, 3 Bronze Stars for Normandy and Central Europe

Peter P. DeLucia – Army, Battle of Normandy

Alvin L. Gitlitz – Army Air Force, radio operator

Robert J. Donoghue Sr. – Navy, USS Enterprise CV-6 and CASV #2

Parker A. Gitschier – Army

Seymour J. Eisen – Air Force, B-24 pilot, shot down over Adriatic Sea & saved 3 crewmates, Purple Heart, Soldiers Medal

John G. Talcott Jr. – Army, 1st Lieutenant in Overseas Supply Division

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Good news –

When John Dodds found a WWII bomber jacket in a thrift store, the Air Force lawyer found the original owner’s name still emblazoned on the chest: “Robert G. Arand” Within little more than a day, the now 90-year-old Arand was located. He had flown more than 40 missions in New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan during WWII. The retired major will now get his jacket back that has been lost for over 60 years.

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Resources: “The Palm Beach Post;” “The Week” magazine; http://www.army.mil/d-day/; lookingglassreview.com; KSean.com; http://www.second-world-war.com; Wikipedia