When the Japanese attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, John "Lucky" Luckadoo didn't hesitate to join the military. Trained as a pilot with the United States Army Air Forces, Second Lieutenant Luckadoo was assigned to the legendary 100th Bomb Group stationed in Thorpe Abbotts, England. Between June and October 1943, he flew B-17 Flying Fortresses over France and Germany on bombing runs devised to destroy the Nazi war machine.

101-years-young John "Luck" Luckadoo and author Kevin Maurer discuss Lucky's experiences that inspired Maurer's book, "Damn Lucky: One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History."

Damn Lucky: Capt John "Lucky" Luckadoo

Steve Snyder is an author, a board member and past president of the 306th Bomb Group Historical Association, and a board member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society.

In this presentation, Steve tells the story of his father, Howard Snyder, becoming a B-17 pilot, enduring the dangers of flying combat missions, being shot down over Belgium, being hidden by the Belgium Underground, and fighting with the French Resistance.

Shot Down: The True Story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the Crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth

Norman Burkey was five years old when his father, Norman L. Burkey, was killed on March 12, 1945 while serving with the legendary “Climb to Conquer” 10th Mountain Division in Italy.

In this moving presentation, Mr. Burkey shares what he eventually unearthed about his father’s service and describes his life as a war orphan. His mother, Anna Burkey, never remarried and raised all three of her children on her own. In doing so, she was every bit as heroic, Mr. Burkey believes, as his long-lost father.

My Life As A War Orphan

Raised in Danbury, CT, Jeff Donahue will tell you that he didn't even know where Pearl Harbor was located when it was attacked on December 7, 1941. Shortly thereafter, he and a few friends signed up to be naval aviators. He was the only one in the group to earn his wings. Following his training in Pensacola, he was assigned to the USS Salamaua. Jeff remained in active reserve following World War II. He was called up during the Korean conflict and returned to Pensacola where he served as a flight instructor. Jeff will turn 100 next May.

A Discussion with WWII Veteran Jeff Donahue

Mr. Philip Horowitz was born on August 16th, 1921, in New York City. He joined the U.S. Army as a Private First Class in Company C, 202nd Engineer Combat Battalion. Mr. Horowitz displayed exemplary determination and courage during the liberation of Southern France and the Battle of the Rhineland, earning several awards.

A Discussion with 101-Years-Young WWII Veteran Philip Horowitz

Whitney Galbraith presents this self-published volume of his father's World War II memoir "Valley of the Shadow: An Account of American POWs of the Japanese". "Valley of the Shadow" is an authoritative account of the fall of the Philippines in 1942, particularly the final surrender of Corregidor, and of the fate of American prisoners of war, based on the experiences of Colonel Nicoll F. “Nick” Galbraith. His 1,100 or so flimsies that are the original longhand script were only recently discovered, together with two flags that reveal Colonel Galbraith’s vital role.

Valley Of The Shadow

Jack Sheehan flew B-26 bomber planes over Germany during World War II and is one of the last living witnesses to the Nuremberg Trials.

A discussion with WWII veteran Jack Sheehan

Helen Barry Siragusa was born on May 23, 1923 in Irvington, New Jersey, and grew up in Vailsburg. 

She entered the U.S. Navy in 1945 at St. Alban’s Naval Hospital, where she stayed for five years caring for paralyzed sailors. She then transferred to Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station infirmary until 1952 and continued in the reserves for another five years. At Cherry Point, she met the flight surgeon Gus who would become her husband. Together they raised eight children. She now lives in Maine. 

Her first book, "Navy Nurse: Memoir of a World War II Veteran", was published in 2022.

WWII Veteran Helen Siragusa

WWII war orphan Madeline Rogers Ruf Teremy tells the story of the Russelsheim Massacre while honoring the Rogers Crew, including her father 2nd Lt. Norman J. Rogers Jr., and giving personal details of her family's experiences following her father's death.

Remembrance And Reconciliation: Reflections of a WWII War Orphan

Since 2014, the Friends of the National World War II Memorial has led the effort to add President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “D-Day Prayer”, one of the largest mass prayers in history, to the WWII Memorial and to restore the “Circle of Remembrance” – the area where the prayer plaque has been placed.
 
Former Senator Rob Portman introduced the bipartisan legislation, the World War II Memorial Prayer Act, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to install a plaque at or near the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. inscribed with the words of the prayer that President Roosevelt shared with the nation on D-Day, June 6, 1944. The legislation stipulated that no federal funds could be used to implement this directive. Therefore, Friends took on the responsibility of designing and funding the project at the request of the National Park service.
 
The project's design, by landscape architecture firm Oehme, van Sweden & Associates, received its final approval from the Commission of Fine Arts in January 2022. Thanks to the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc., construction began on-site in July 2022. Grunley Construction Company, Inc. served as the general contractor for the project. Site work was completed in April 2023.

On June 6, 2023, the 79th anniversary of the Allied Invasion of Normandy, a dedication ceremony was held at the Memorial featuring remarks by Senator Portman and a keynote address by Elliott “Toby” Roosevelt III, the great-grandson of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
 
The D-Day Prayer is an important and meaningful addition that completes the Memorial, which is visited by nearly five million people each year, providing a contemplative space to reflect on and remember the more than 400,000 American souls lost during WWII.
 
WE REMEMBER THEM

FDR's "D-Day Prayer" Added to World War II Memorial

Dr. Dines served in the Marine Corps as a teenager. He enlisted at 17 and fought in the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. After losing his two closest friends in the war and emerging unscathed himself, he felt a deep commitment to give back to society. Encouraged by his father-in-law, Dr. Dines chose medicine as his way to contribute, leading to a distinguished career in pulmonary medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

Discussion with WWII Veteran David Dines, M.D.

Friends of the National World War II Memorial (Friends), based in Washington, D.C., is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to teaching lessons of yesterday to unite generations of tomorrow. Founded in 2007 by the creators of the National World War II Memorial, Friends brings Americans of all backgrounds and ages together for national ceremonies and experiences at the Memorial and for online educational programs centered around the themes of American unity, shared values and ideals, and the spirit of community, inspiring them with timeless stories of sacrifice, dedication, and valor.

Discussion with WWII Veteran David Dines, M.D.

World War II Memorial

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