Thursday, June 1, 2017

Veterans History Project

My Veteran was Mr. Peter Reader. I got the opportunity to travel to his home to interview him for a story I covered in Wacs News. Mr. Reader was full of so much pride and emotion when he was telling us his story. Peter Reader served in World War II.  Over and over he repeated how he really wished he could've graduated high school. It stood out to me. After everything he has accomplished in his life, all he wanted was a High School Diploma. After an annual Veterans Day assembly, he was presented his very own diploma. Tears were definitely shed in the audience. It was more than a successful project, it was one project that really touched me and truly meant something to me. His time during World War II was insane. He told us how as soon as he walked onto a beach bullets flew everywhere and he fell to the ground. His friend Stacy told him that he would go get help, and he never returned. Mr. Reader was in a hospital for four months then went back into duty. He’s traveled to many places I’ve never been to and the way he described his experiences were heartbreaking. At one point in the interview he even began to get teary eyed.  After the war ended he later joined a Veterans group in Marilla NY. He ran into Stacy again in Alden a few years ago and when they saw each other they both broke down in tears. To meet Mr. Peter Reader was something I will always remember. 

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