Vintage Eats of Kayleen Reusser
Capturing Delicious Recipes From the Past
My husband and I just returned from a 2-week World War II tour of Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany! The photo of my husband and me is on the patio of the 'Eagle's Nest', Hitler's retreat center, above the village of Berchtesgaden, Germany. We went with a group of 29 Americans and 3 Australians and one... Continue Reading →
D-Day. June 6, 1944. Possibly only a handful of dates in our nation’s military history are more well- known other than Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941). D-Day was a top secret event that had been planned for months. Every branch was involved in storming the beaches of Normandy France to overcome Hitler's forces. Here are a few... Continue Reading →
(This is an excerpt of a story from my soon-to-be-released book, They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans) Gaylord Conrad’s most vivid memories of the Pacific during World War II was not that of a bloody battle field but what came after it. In late 1943 Conrad from Leo, IN, was attached... Continue Reading →
I regret missing the opportunity to post on Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed around the world on April 24, 2017. Hopefully, this special essay written by a soldier who was one of the first to liberate Ohrdruf, one of the first death camps discovered in Germany, will make up for the lateness. I met Edward Thomas... Continue Reading →
Paul Rider of Fort Wayne is an interviewer’s dream. He could recite his story during World War II in clear fashion, had a scrapbook full of memories, a diary and many photos – and a story that had a peaceful resolution decades after the war. Remember to thank a veteran today for his/her service... Continue Reading →
At this site I mostly post stories I’ve written from interviews with World War II vets. Many people think those are the only vets I interview. Due to my association with another military-related publication, I have interviewed dozens of vets of all eras/branches, including Korean War, Vietnam War, post-911 and everything in between. This publication... Continue Reading →
One of the strongest quotes I was ever given during an interview was by a World War II veteran was by Simeon Hain, Naval Aviator in the Pacific. “Fear has an odor,” he said. “It permeates your clothes and stinks. After getting back from a mission, I couldn’t wait to take a shower.” In honor... Continue Reading →
Hopefully our trip to Europe will be easier than for these troops on the USS Wakefield! ** My husband and I have decided to complete a huge item on our combined Bucket List of Things to do Together-- Take a tour of Europe, based on World War II events. Yes, there are actual groups who go... Continue Reading →
Many people have heard of the Bataan Death March. I’ve interviewed two sons of an American Army officer who died as a part of that group. This is a separate Death March that took place in Germany. Sad that so many suffered at the hands of cruel people. May it never happen again! Thank a vet today for his/her service!
POWs being evacuated from Stalag Luft IV, early 1945 (Source: http://www.dvrbs.com/camden-heroes/CamdenHeroes-FrankGramenzi.htm)
By George Morris
The sound of an approaching army — especially a mechanized one — is impossible to miss, particularly when it is engaged with its enemy. In January 1945, Allied prisoners of Stalag Luft IV heard the Soviet army driving westward through Poland.
“We could hear the gunfire, the cannons,” said Russell McRae, a Baton Rouge resident. “We could see the flashes at night. We knew we were going to get overrun, and we thought we’d be liberated.”
They would — some of them, anyway. But not for a long time, and not by the Soviets.
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Bill Yaney was born on March 7, 1925. To honor his date of birth, I’m highlighting his World War II time of service in this post. I'm glad to say this nice man and his wife were friends of my grandparents when they all lived as neighbors in their country homes. ** For most soldiers... Continue Reading →
Vintage Eats of Kayleen Reusser 