Flames of Memory: Remembering Their Sacrifice on D-Day

Hello, Again!

It has been a very busy fall at the National D-Day Memorial with events, field trips, and even livestreaming programs for schools across the nation! With all of the busyness, we haven’t been able to post as many blogs as we would have liked to, but we will definitely be making up for that in the next few weeks with information about upcoming events, stories from D-Day veterans, and even the use of pigeons in WWII.

Today, I am excited to introduce a new author for the blog, Sandra Parece. She joined the Memorial’s staff in July and works as the Assistant Site Manager. She spent years as a teacher with our local school system and we have enjoyed having her in our D-Day family. Check out her blog below on our upcoming luminaries event.

-Maggie

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This year, December 9-11, 2016 will be special days for the National D-Day Memorial with our annual Flames of Memory and Christmas in Wartime Presentation. On these three days from 6PM to 9PM, we remember the 4,413 men killed on D-Day by lighting luminaries.  Arranged throughout the Memorial and all the way down our access road, thousands of luminaries will shine in recognition of Overlord’s fallen and in tribute to the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom. 

As a new employee, I have had the opportunity to help assemble luminaries in preparation for this event.  At first, I saw the task as a productive way to occupy my time and temporarily take my thoughts away from the stresses of the upcoming holidays.  However, as I worked, I realized that placing sandbags into a luminary bag is not just part of the job, but an honor.  Each sandbag represents a soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life so that I can enjoy the freedoms that we share as Americans. Seeing the thousands of luminaries also helps to put the sacrifice of D-Day into perspective. Losing 4,413 Allied men in one day is unfathomable for students who are growing up in a world where it took around 6 years to hit that number of killed in action in Iraq.  

You may purchase a luminary in honor of or in memory of a loved one that has served or is currently serving in the armed forces.  To ensure that your loved one is included in the printed program, luminaries must be purchased by December 5, 2016. Luminaries are $20.00 each or 6 for $100.00.  All gifts are tax-deductible and group sales are available.  To purchase a luminary, click here, email giving@dday.org, or call (800) 351-DDAY.

If you are in the area, I encourage you to visit the Memorial and see the magnificence of the luminaries for yourself. Admission is free, although donations are greatly appreciated. Special thanks to sponsors for this event the Virginia Moose Association and Member One Federal Credit Union!

I wish you peace and happiness this holiday season!

-Sandra

A 1940’s DIY Christmas

Hello, Friends!

The National D-Day Memorial's 2015 Christmas Tree
for the Festival of Trees

Each year in Bedford, Virginia, our Welcome Center hosts an event called “Festival of Trees.” Businesses and organizations decorate trees throughout the Welcome Center and the public is able to vote for their favorite tree for $1 a vote. Voting began November 18^th and goes on through December 31^st, 2015. All of the proceeds of the winning trees will be donated to their selected charities, with the Memorial's being our educational initiatives. 

This year’s theme is “DIY (Do It Yourself) Christmas.” While DIY is the “it” thing in home decorating today thanks to Pinterest, the Memorial hit the jackpot of sorts since Christmas both on the homefront and warfront during World War II for most involved improvising and creating their own decorations in order to support the war effort. Nothing was put to waste with most items being reused and recycled. So as I selected items to decorate the tree, I took into account things that would be readily available on the homefront during the war and could be repurposed for Christmas ornaments and decorations. Below are a few of the decorations we created for this event:

Popcorn and Cranberry Garland

Materials Needed: Popcorn, cranberries, thread, needle and acrylic sealant spray

1.       Thread cranberries and popcorn onto a string to use as garland

2.       Stretch the cranberry and popcorn garland out on your work surface.

3.       Shake the can of acrylic sealant spray vigorously for several seconds. Hold the can of acrylic sealant spray about 10-inches above the garland.

4.       Start at one end of the garland and coat it with a thin layer of the acrylic sealant. Continue in this manner while moving down the strand. Let the sealant dry for at least 12 hours.

5.       Turn the garland over carefully and coat the backside of the garland with the acrylic sealant in the same manner as before. Let dry for at least 12 hours before using the cranberry and popcorn garland.

6.       Store the garland in an airtight plastic container after use. Add a few silica gel packets to the container before storing it away to help prevent moisture from building up in the storage container. Place the container in a cool and dry location.

During the early 20^th century, popcorn was a holiday favorite not just for food but for decorations.

Of course, during World War II, acrylic sealant spray would not be available. But for the sake of preserving our decorations for almost two month, we needed to use it to keep it looking fresh and to keep the bugs and animals away.

Cookie Cutter Ornament featuring Bedford Boy,
Frank Draper

Cookie Cutter Ornaments

Materials Needed: Cookie cutters, photographs, scrap paper, and glue

1. Choose patterned papers or color-photocopy pictures onto card stock. Trace cutter on top; cut out. Dab white craft glue along cutter's edge. Press paper in place; let dry.

2. Thread narrow ribbon through needle; poke between paper and cutter, and wrap ribbon around top of cutter and tie a knot.

We chose to use photocopied photos of the Bedford Boys for the tree to give a personal touch to the tree.

We would love for you to come out and take a look at the Memorial’s tree, as well as all of the other gorgeously decorated trees. Just make sure to vote for our tree though! 

The Welcome Center is located at 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA 24523 with special hours as following:  Open until 9:00pm on Friday, December 4, 2015, Friday, December 11, 2015, Saturday, December 12, 2015, Sunday, December 13, 2015 and Friday, December 18, 2015. The Welcome Center will be closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day along with closing at 12:00pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Until next time,

Maggie

D-Day Fallen: John Schenk

Hello Friends!

As I am sure you have noticed, fall does not necessarily mean that the National D-Day Memorial is not busy with events and school groups. However, we are starting to slow down a bit and are getting excited for one of our favorite events of the year, Flames of Memory and Christmas in Wartime Presentation.

National D-Day Memorial's Flames of Memory and
Christmas in Wartime Presentation

During this event, thousands of luminaries are arranged throughout the Memorial and shine in recognition of Overlord’s fallen and in tribute to the ultimate sacrifice each one of them made to relight the lamp of freedom. This event is not only beautiful, but is such a vivid reminder of the sacrifice of the men on the beaches of Normandy. As twilight deepens and obscures the Blue Ridge, the Memorial will honor the 4,413 men killed on D-Day the nights of December 11-13, 2015 from 6PM-9PM. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Luminaries are sold throughout the year and can be purchased in honor of or in memory of a loved one that has served or who is currently serving. Each luminary costs $20, or six for $100, and they can be purchased in honor or memory of anyone who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, D-Day veteran or not. All proceeds benefit the Memorial and are tax-deductible. Also, group sales are available. If you are interested in purchasing a luminary, visit www.dday.org and click on “GIVING” or  call (540) 586-3329 for more information.

We would also like to extend a very special thanks to the Virginia Moose Association for supporting this worthy endeavor.

One thing we like to do each year leading up to Flames of Memory is to recognize a few of our D-Day fallen in our blog posts.  Today, I want to recognize one of our own from Bedford.

John Burwell Schenk was born in September 1916 in Bedford. He was a student in Business Administration at Virginia Tech and joined the Virginia National Guard on February 3, 1941.

One of my favorite things about John was his relationship with Ivylyn. In 1941, John was set up by a friend on a blind date with Ivylyn Jordan that lasted late into the night. They continued to date after the war began and eventually were married when he was on leave from Camp Blanding, Florida. After he deployed to England to prepare for D-Day, John and Ivylyn wrote letters to each other every day when Schenk was in England.

Just before the Normandy invasion, Ivylyn wrote a letter to John on May 21, 1944. Below is a portion of that letter:

“Although I haven’t written [recently] my heart has been filled with thoughts for and about you. Your letters are so full of hope and brightness for the future. Several have come this week written May 7, 8, 10, and 11^th. They have been like sunbeams on long winter days…”

In their letters, not only did they discuss their love for one another, they talked about the daily events of their lives. After over twenty months of being apart due to the war, the war did not allow them to make it to their two year wedding anniversary.

As a part of the 29th Division, 116th Regiment, Company A, Ssgt. John Schenk landed in the first wave of the assault on Omaha Beach with other young soldiers from Bedford, Virginia. Their objective was to get up to the high-water mark and off the beach. However, many did not make it. John was one of those men who died due to heavy fire as they reached the shore.

On July 17, 1944, his parents received news from the War Department that John was killed in action in France on June 6, 1944. Although the news was not what Ivylyn expected, she lived her life like John would’ve liked for her to as she carried on his memory even though she remarried. He is buried at the American Cemetery at Normandy.

Until Next Time,

Maggie

Christmas Time is Here

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

Christmas card, 1944.

The day has finally come, the day we cherish so dear, the day we come together and celebrate the many reasons for the season, Christmas. It is a beautiful day for celebrating the traditions we hold close to our hearts. Christmas has taken on many forms since it was first celebrated two millennia ago; in fact, there are at least five distinct changes over these many, many years.

Puritan official notice banning Christmas celebrations

Winter feasts originated in pagan societies in which the ancient peoples needed to spur life and hope in the deep, dark winter months of Europe. Their yuletide feasts sparked the renewal of spring and the hope for a year of plenty. Then, the biggest change of all came with the birth of Christ and the new Christian faith. While the date of Jesus’ birth is unknown; logically, we can all assume it would have most likely been in the spring, but the Papacy declared the 25^th of December as the official day; most likely continuing the feasts and festivals of pagan customs.  Boisterous celebrations continued to be held for centuries. But, not so ironically, the Puritans in Boston felt joyous celebrations diminished the meaning of Christmas and actually banned all merry celebrations of any kind, which put a damper on the rest of the country. (Maybe, that’s part of the reason England all but kicked them out of the country? Just a thought.) That only lasted a short time, thank goodness, and by the 19^th century, Christmas went through another major reinvention.

Eastman Johnson's Christmas Time: the Blodgett Family, 1864.

Americans changed the Christmas holiday into a family occasion of nostalgia and joy. With so many cultures melding into one, it is no wonder America would be the place to change the holiday forever. During this time, the classic novel A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, became one of the most popular holiday novels to date. The message of charity and good will towards men could not have come at a better time for the Americans and English. For the next one hundred years, following the novel, Americans looked to the new cultures melding into one for Christmas traditions and formed the perfect family holiday.  The most recent changes in traditions we celebrate today are actually a result of World War II. We all know it was the greatest generation, but many may not realize how they have literally helped shape the America we see today. These traditions are just another reason to appreciate and thank the men and women of the 1940s. We are forever in their debt.

Family singing carols in front of the tree, 1945.

If you have read the Christmas Tree blog from a few weeks ago, you will recall that even our modern Christmas tree traditions were changed by World War II. Since the war effort needed as much wood production as possible, our beloved, fresh Christmas trees were exchanged for artificial trees in order to ration. Now, it is just as common for a household to hang on to an artificial tree for years instead of purchasing a fresh tree year after year. Also, our ornament product changed to what we know and love today. Before the war, some of the most valuable decorations came from Germany and Japan. Gorgeous, glass ornaments adorned the freshest trees, but with the declaration of war against both countries, Americans wanted to turn elsewhere for their decorations. Corning Glass Company, in New York, came to the rescue with their own production of glass ornaments. Homemade gifts also became extremely popular. School children were encouraged to make handmade ornaments in the classroom and at home. Templates and designs were manufactured once popularity grew. Today, some of our favorite ornaments are the ones made during our childhood or made by our own children.

Soldier sharing his Christmas package with the children in a European town.

Having our Christmas shopping done early also became the norm in the 1940s. The need to ship packages overseas with enough time to reach the soldiers by Christmas became the priority for many families. We do not generally think about such things, but families had to send Christmas packages in October if they wanted their loved one to receive it by Christmas in the Pacific. Today, we cannot imagine not shopping early because there never seems to be enough time right before the holidays!

Also, did you know that many of our favorite holiday tunes were written during the war? I don’t know about you, but my holiday season does not start until the songs “White Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” have been played in the house. “Let It Snow,” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” and of course, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” are a few of the other songs written during the 1940s. All the songs relate back to the war and the feelings of pain and longing everyone felt for their loved ones. These holiday classics have held true for the past 70 plus years and they have been relevant through every conflict America has been part of since World War II. They will never leave our hearts.

Coca-Cola Christmas add, December, 1943.

As if there aren’t already so many wonderful changes, even the look of Santa Claus changed during the war! Some may recall, before the war, Santa had a very traditional European look about him. Obviously, that had to change for the war effort, so Santa received an American makeover that has stuck through time.
Even our traditional holiday menu changed because of the war. Rationing and availability created a revised menu for many Americans and soldiers abroad. Of course, people still had their turkey and trimmings as best they could manage, but food items that were not on the rationed lists became prevalent in everyday homes, like oysters and lobster. When the soldiers came home, their families kept the new additions and now they are part of our traditions today.

Interesting Yuletide Facts:


During the Middle Ages, Christmas merriment was quite rowdy and could be compared to the Mardi Gras parties of today.

Medieval painting depicting Christmas celebration

Christmas was outlawed in Boston, Massachusetts from 1659-1681. The fine was five shillings.

It was not until June 26, 1870 that Christmas became a federally recognized holiday in the United States.

Captain John Smith consumed the first American made cup of eggnog in 1607, Jamestown.

Joel R. Poinsett brought the bright red and green plant, named after himself, to America from Mexico, in 1828.

The legend of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer was created in 1939 as a ploy to attract customers into the Montgomery Ward department store. It worked.

In 1941, a 5 foot Christmas tree was only .75 cents.

During World War II, the shortage of men resulted in a shortage of dressed up Santa’s. Women donned the costumes in their absence so thousands of children could still experience the magic of Christmas.

The term Xmas has actually been used for over a thousand years. The "X" is the Greek symbol for "Chi", which is the first letter for the Greek spelling of Christos, or Christ.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Take care,
Elizabeth

Christmas Love Letters: Missing Home

Holiday V-Mail, December, 1944.

Hello all, 

Christmas is just two days away! Are you as excited as I am? Maybe you are, or maybe no, not this year?  I know the holidays can be a joyous time for some and dreadful for others, depending on what life has dealt you at the time. Many individuals are lucky enough to spend the holidays with their loved ones, while others are missing those nearest to their hearts for whatever reason. I do not know if you feel the same, but I feel very fortunate to live in the age of technology where even distance can be conquered if we have the means, and will, to do so. We can be thousands of miles away from our family and still be able to see their faces through the internet. Of course, even that could never replace physically being in their presence, but it beats the alternative. During World War II, the only way families could stay in contact with loved ones overseas was through letters. It must have been torture not knowing where they were exactly, not knowing if they were safe or if they would be okay by the time the letter was received.

 

I would like to share a few holiday letters written by a Bedford Boy to his lovely wife, Sergeant John B. Schenk to Ivylyn Jordan Schenk.

“12-9-42, My Darling Lynn, Oh yes you guessed it. I am just a little homesick. Just think what fun I am missing by being over here. When you get this letter it probably will be Xmas so here is hoping you have a most pleasant one. Two of the boys were just in my room and brought a fruit cake with them. We were discussing what we were going to do when we get home and we all said the first thing would be to go on a honeymoon. Of course I had to tell them about ours and they agreed it was much better than traveling…”

“December 16, 1942, 7:30P.M., My Darling Lynn, Here it is nine days till Xmas and I haven’t got a bit of Xmas spirit… I am invited to have Xmas dinner with the same people I had dinner with last nite. We did have a real nice time. Each person had a foot of silver on each side of his plate. When I finished the meal I had used every piece so I think I did a good job of it...”

John Schenk and his wife, Ivylyn.

“December 24, 1942, England, My Darling Lynn, Here tis Xmas Eve and I am 4000 miles away from you but my heart and soul are with you. My love for you is increasing each day. Every night and many times during the day I am praying for your happiness. Also I pray for a quick end to this foolish war and by the looks of things my prayers are being answered. When I say foolish I mean foolish. Tell me what can one gain by war. Of course it is different with us. Our freedom was endangered and we are fighting to keep it. I guess I am first a lover of peace is the reason I think all disagreements could be settled without the loss of lives. It takes civilized people to see it that way I guess. I was in town this A.M. and the British just like the Americans believe in Xmas. Everyone greets you with a smile and wishes you a merry Xmas. People like that couldn’t believe in war. On every smiling face you could see that God was there. These people believe in him just as we do. Even the war worn German prisoner has a smile for us. It may be that he is getting more to eat than usual but I think down deep in his heart he is much like you and I. He is forced into battle by Hitler’s threats. For him it is either fight or starve. Anyway darling we, the allies are going to win this war. It is you we are fighting for not ourselves. Our lives are not worth the value of a Confederate bill and you know from history that isn’t worth much.”

“… Judging from this letter you would think I was home sick but really I am not. Well not very much any way. I would give an arm just to see you and hold you close and tell you how much I love you. Darling you are all I have so take good care of yourself. God will bring me back to soon. Good nite and a Merry Christmas. All My Love, John.”

John was killed in action on June 6, 1944. As you may have guessed, these letters were the last holiday exchange these two would ever have together. In fact, the only Christmas we know they spent together was in 1941, before they were married.

Letters such as John’s show us how similar human beings really are, even when we come from such different times and places. I think anyone missing a loved one over the holidays can feel a connection with John and Ivylyn through their letters. John’s sentiments make me thankful for what I have and hold dear. I hope they do the same for you.

 

Christmas Card delivered to GIs, WWII.

Take care,

Elizabeth

Christmas Recipe: Pfeffernusse

Hello All!

I wanted to start off by saying THANK YOU to all those who came out to our Luminary Event this past weekend. The event was a HUGE success and it means a great deal to everyone involved at the Memorial to see so many caring visitors supporting us! The Memorial had over a thousand visitors this past weekend; more than double the last two years. One of the most important duties the National D-Day Memorial has is making sure the memories of our fallen soldiers continue on for future generations. Our mission would not be made possible without the support of you all. We are truly thankful to have you part of our foundation. I also send a big thank you to the Virgina Moose Association for sponsoring this event. You all have made it possible for us to share these important memories with so many wonderful people.
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Onward to cookie making!

Pfeffernusse Cookies

I hope you are having a great morning so far and you are not too stressed about the holidays yet! There are only 8 days until Christmas, can you believe it? I am sure you have already made your holiday treats, but I thought I would share a special cookie recipe with you all, one that was popular during World War II and today! The Pfeffernüsse cookie is a delicious spice cookie, popular in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. This particular cookie is special in my family’s household because we are both of German and Danish dissent and my grandparents, and great-grandparents, made these during the holiday season, despite the shortages during WWII. Obviously, since this particular cookie has a German connection, not all Americans were eager to make them during the war.  But as we all know, there were, and still are, a rather large number of those with German ancestry living in the country and the tradition has been kept by them.

The Pfeffernüsse is also known as pepernoten in Dutch, päpanät in Plautdietsch, or peppernuts in English. The origin of the cookie is not clear, but the traditional Dutch belief is that the pepernoten was connected to the feast of Sinterklaas, which is celebrated on December 5 in the Netherlands, the 6^th in Germany and Belgium. Sinterklaas, as you may have guessed, is when children receive their gifts from St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. For the Germans, the cookie has a closer association to traditional Christmas celebrations and has been part of European holidays since the 1850s. 

Woman baking cookies, 1940s.

It is commonly believed that the name pfeffernüsse indicates nuts within the cookie, although many varieties do not contain any nuts at all. However, the cookie is meant to be small, like the size of a nut, which may have had a hand in its given name. Also, throughout time, bakers have created their own unique recipes for their cookies; however, the common theme is the spices used and the use of molasses and honey to sweeten the cookie.

If you are unfamiliar with the pfeffernüsse cookie, then you can compare it to the Kruidnoten cookie or Russian Tea-cakes; commonly mistaken, both have a nutty, spicy, flavor and are of similar shape to the pfeffernüsse.

The cookie recipe I will use is from a cookbook from the 1940s titled: The Christmas Cookie Recipes: December 1944, BY The Home Service Bureau; The Electric Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Jo’s Pfeffernuesse

4 eggs

2 cups sugar (use honey or molasses if short on sugar)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon black pepper

¼ cup finely cut candied orange peel

¼ cup finely cut candied lemon peel

¼ cup finely cut candied citron

4 cups enriched bread flour

1.  Beat whole eggs until light and fluffy.

2. Gradually add sugar, beating constantly.

3. After last of sugar has been added beat 15 minutes using high  speed of mixer.

4. Add cinnamon, cloves, pepper, finely cut orange and lemon peel and citron.

5. Fold in flour by hand.

6. Shape a little less that a tablespoonful into a ball. Place on greased cookie sheets.

7. Back at 400 degrees about 15 minutes.

8. Makes about 7 dozen.

Let’s get baking!! 

Take care,

Elizabeth