NOVEMBER,

'The Generation'NEW OXFORD HONORS LOCAL VETERANS

John Moore, Gibbs Hill, William W. Millarand Michael Ingrisano stand in the squareof New Oxford, listening to the cracking ofriile shots and the rapid firing of machineguns splitting the crisp, mid-Septembermorning air. Fixing their eyes to thesky, the men locate a U.S. spotter plane,bearing a white star under one of itswings, as it circles the town from above.

Earlier in the morning, a band ofGerman infantry soldiers clad in green-gray uniforms entered the square by foot,horseback and vehicle. The Germanscaptured the town's mayor, erectedroadblocks and sent out patrols throughthe streets and alleys of the town.

But around cj:3o a.m., an Americanhalftrack enters (he square, followedclosely by a contingent of infantry men,brandishing weapons.

For nearly 3o minutes, the rapid fireof machine guns, the thunderous boom ofa firing German panzerschreck (bazooka)and the pinging of shell casings clatteringagainst the pavement sweeps over thetown. Do/,ens of military personnel shoutat one another—in both German andEnglish—over the din. War has erupted inthe town of New Oxford.

The Allied forces push the Germansdown Carlisle Street. Eventually, Alliedreinforcements arrive from Lincoln WayEast and West, forcing the Germans tosurrender.

For Moore, Hill, Millar and Ingrisano,it was World War II all over again, andNew Oxford was one of its battlegrounds.More than 100 spectators who gatheredin the square that morning witnessed thecapture of New Oxford, rechristened as

the French town of Nouveau Oxford for theday, by German forces and liberation byAllied American units.

The event, the second annualLiberation of New Oxford, was morethan just a field exercise for re-enactors."It brings the entire town together inappreciation of the sacrifices of ourWorld War II veterans," says New OxfordMayor Carrie Cserr.

"We want to honor them," saysGuillermo L. Bosch, president of theNew Oxford Area Historical Society, whichorganized the re-enactment. "We havea number of World War II vets that livenearby, in Cross Keys and other places,

and this is a way to make people aware oftheir tremendous service to this country."

Re-enactors keep history aliveWearing the uniform of the 4th InfantryDivision, Headquarters Company, Alliedforces, Neal Pizzano surveys the festivecelebrations followingthe successfulLiberation of New Oxford. Townspeopledressed in berets, tweed jackets and chicFrench dresses shake hands and embrace

the soldiers. They distribute loaves ofcrusty baguettes and pop corks on bottlesof sparkling wine as they extend theirthanks and appreciation. Pizzano. who hasbeen involved in re-enacting since aoo6.

Veterans Day observancesWhether families celebrated the homecoming of their soldiers or grievedtheir loss, whether their dreams for a long-awaited reunion were fulfilled ornever realized, Veterans Day is still the day their loved ones can be honoredwith the support of local communities. You can join with these militaryfamilies by participating in one of these Veterans Day observances:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11: Veterans Day Observance. GettysburgAmerican Legion Post 202, 528 E. Middle St., Gettysburg. Ceremony at11 a.m. For information, call Post 202 at 717-334-4513.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Veterans Day Observance. Eisenhower Hotel,Conference Center & Resort, 2634 Emmitsburg Rd., Gettysburg. Noon.State Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams/Franklin) is hosting this event to honormilitary veterans of all U.S. wars who live in the 91st Legislative District ofPennsylvania. For more information, contact Rep. Moul's district office at717-334-3010.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Veterans Day Ceremony. WestminsterArmory, 11 Longwell Ave., Westminster, Maryland. Ceremony at 4 p.m. Forinformation, call American Legion Post #31 at 410-857-7953 or 410-876-0746.

admits he gains a greater appreciation forthe sacrifices of those who experiencedWorld War II combat.

"The whole idea of being able to be outthere, feel the battle, sleep outside in the

tents, gives me a closer appreciation forwhat they went through for us," he says. "Wewant to be able to keep history alive, because

we still have Wo rid "War II veterans around.

It's very meaningful to continue the livinghistory and to get kids, the younger kids

especially, to understand what happened andwhat they went through in battle."

And some battle experiences wereharrowing. Ted Jenkins of Hanover

Fought with Company D, i6' Battalion,io3rd

Infantry Division in France during WorldWar II. In December 1944, Jenkins wasimprisoned by the Germans. In a first-

person account published in the magazine

America in World War II, he recalls thesix-month period he was held captive in aGerman labor camp and the liberation of

the camp by the Russians."Tears came to my eyes when I saw our

American flag and realized that I had survivedthe horrors of imprisonment where 25 of our

200 died of starvation." he says.

Speaking about the Liberation of

New Oxford event, Jenkins says, "It was anexciting event for me. I thank the

re-enactors for making World War II comealive in honor of all those who died, werecaptured and wounded during World War II."To show their appreciation, the re - enactors

gave Jenkins an opportunity to ride in aWo rid War II-era Jeep and fire the .3o caliber

machine gun mounted on the Jeep.Esther Rea of Damascus, Maryland,

has been participating in re-enactments forfour years. As she stands beside a vintage

World War II-era Jeep, dressed in a 19403Red Gross nurse uniform, Rea marvels at the

orchestration of the Liberation ofNew Oxford and its dramatic realism.

Rea believes events like theLiberation of New Oxford are important

because "they remind people of why we'refree," she says. "I think this is great thatpeople come together to show others what

happened in the war, how people livedthen and how far we've come."

David Coe of Westminster, Maryland,stands at attention as a 1944, 48-star

American flag is hoisted to the top of the

flagpole and strains of The Star-Spangled

Re-enactors assemble in New Oxford's square following the skirmish withthe Germans.

Banner float over the crowd gathered inthe New Oxford square. Goe, portrayinga World War II British army chaplain,

praises the sacrifices of the servicemen."They went to do a job that had to be

done. What they saw and did, we can neverimagine in our wildest dreams. And it

shows that these people are The GreatestGeneration,' and we have to remember

that. I cannot help but be awed by theirsacrifice," he concludes.

Recognizing the contributions of'The Greatest Generation'Veteran NBC News anchorman

Tom Brokaw has used the phrase"The Greatest Generation" to describethose individuals who grew up in theshadow of the Great Depression and

fought in Wo rid War II. In his book,

The Greatest Generation, Brokaw notesthat neither fame nor material wealthfueled the passion of these individuals

to serve the United States in World War

II; they fought simply because they knewthey had a job to do.

(opposite, from top to bottom) A U.S. Armyaircraft observes the skirmish from the air

A corporal of the 1st Infantry Division,nicknamed "The Big Red One"

People portraying French citizens expresstheir gratitude to the Allied forces

The front bumper of a U.S. Army jeep

A jeep's interior

A German army officer patrols:*.1 Oxford's Center Square

' i

Michael Ingrisano of McLean,

Virginia, was one of 37 World War II

veterans in attendance at the Liberation

of New Oxford event. Ingrisano served

27 months with the 3i6th Troop Carrier

Group in World War II. He was awarded

three Air Medals and, in 2004, received

the French Legion of Honor in recognition

of the service he and members of the 3i6th

Troop Carrier Group offered during the

Normandy D-Day invasion.

Ingrisano believes that events such

as the Liberation of New Oxford are

important teaching tools. "I feel that

World War II vets are not getting the

attention they deserve," he says.

Fueled by his passion for education,

Ingrisano wrote a book, Valor Without Arms-.

A History of the 3i 6lh Troop Carrier Group

1943-1945. In the book, he reveals stories

of courage and sacrifice by members of

the 3i6th Troop Carrier Group, offering a

tangible way of preserving an important

part of World War II history.

For New Oxford resident

John Moore, the sound of machine guns

firing during the climax of the New Oxford

re-enactment almost brought tears to

his eyes. Moore, whose military career

spanned more than 40 years and included

service not only in World War II but also

the Korean Conflict, says that the level of

duty of service personnel in Wo rid War II

cannot be underestimated.

"We did what we were supposed to do.

We served our country, and we don't want

people to forget it," he says. "We lost a lot of

good friends, husbands, fathers, brothers

... to forget all that we did would be a sin."

Moore believes that the Liberation

of New Oxford and similar events, such

as the annual World War II Living History

Weekend held at Eisenhower National

Historic Site in Gettysburg, keep the

memories of fallen comrades alive.

"Events like these build patriotism.

Just look at the people who showed up

here today," he observes as he gestures

toward the crowd gathered around the

military vehicles and re-enactors in the

town square. "A lot of these young kids

don't know what World War II was like."

World War II veteran and New Oxford

resident William W. Millar echoes that

sentiment. "Born in 1924, and going

through the Depression, that was an

experience all by itself. The war started;

I dropped out of school and went in the

Navy in August of '43."

The Liberation of New Oxford is an

important event, he says, because it "keeps

alive what happened in Worl d War II."

Tides of warThe annual Liberation of New Oxford is

not the only way that veterans from the

town are remembered. Townspeople who

served in World War II are perpetually

honored on a World War II Veterans of New

Oxford memorial stone that stands in the

square. Individual letters join together,

spelling the names of brothers, husbands,

Honoring the veterans of Sept. 11

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of theterrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and a

local Hanover group is making sure no one forgetsthe veterans who lost their lives that day—the

emergency responders and civilians who perishedat the World Trade Center in New York City, the

Pentagon in Washington, B.C. and a field outsideShanksville, Pennsylvania.

Members of the Exchange Club of Hanover willhost a Healing Field at West Manheim Township

Elementary School, 2000 Baltimore Pike in Hanover,

from September 9-12, 2011. More than 3,000 flagswill be placed on the lawn of the school as part of theHealing Field project. Hanover will join more than

two dozen other towns and cities across the countryholding Healing Fields.

The flags measure 3-by-5 feet and will be flown from

8-foot poles. According to Bill Wineholt, president ofthe Exchange Club of Hanover, members of the publiccan sponsor a flag in honor of or in memory of an

individual or organization. The cost to sponsor a flag is

$25. Following the Healing Field event, sponsors get tokeep a flag.

Download the sponsorship form at

www.hanoverexchangeclub.com, or call Wineholtat 717-476-9500 for more information. Any proceedsfrom flag sales will be donated to the WoundedWarrior Project, National Fallen FirefightersFoundation, and fire, police and veterans groups inthe Hanover area.

1.4:;»* '* %

m

.A German Army captain surrenders to U.S. troops during the Liberation of New Oxford event.

fathers, sons, grandfathers, uncles,cousins, neighbors and friends who left thefamiliarity of their Adams County lifestyleto enter conflict on a worldwide stage.

James Stock, Jim Blankenship,

John Marymont, Stanley Aldinger,Bob Rhoads and James Broussaard arejust six of the more than two dozen World

War II veterans who, more than 65 years

later, survived the war and were present towitness the re-enactment.

They observed German soldierspatrolling the streets of New Oxford on

horseback and on foot. They heard the

distant sounds of rifles firing, signalingthe arrival of Allied forces. They watchedas both forces clashed in the town's square.

They saw medics rushing to the aid of the

wounded on the town's streets. They heardthe cacophony of rifles and men yelling asthey dodged bullets and returned fire.

Across the span of time and place, sceneslike these have abided in their memory.And while the Liberation ofNew Oxford was only a re-enactment, for

these veterans, it represented somethingmuch more—recognition of the sacrificesof "The Greatest Generation," the men

who helped shape the fate of the world and

the future of freedom.

Gettysburg remembersFrom Thursday, November 11 through Sunday, November 14,veterans, active duty service personnel and members of their

families can receive special discounts from several Gettysburgcultural attractions and merchants. For a complete list of

participants, visit ivww.gettysburgrernembers.com or contact

the group sales office at the Eisenhower Hotel, ConferenceCenter & Resort by e-mail at groupsales@eisenhower.com

or 717-334-8121.

Operation Thank-a-VeteranVeterans in VA hospitals, nursing homes and medical centerswill be able to enjoy an extra measure of warmth this winterseason thanks to an "Operation Thank-a-Veteran" program.

The goal of the project is to gather materials and supplies

to create quilt squares that are joined together to form lap

blankets. These blankets are distributed to veterans in localcare centers. For more details and information on contributing

sewing supplies and monetary donations to this project, contactSharon Williams at 2040 Bullfrog Rd., Fairfield, PA 17320 ore-mail smsii'illiams@comcast.net.