Roman Zwaschka and Doug Wall recently talked with the 7th grade History class about their experiences during the war.  Both vets served in the European theatre but at different times and places.

Roman served in North Africa and then into Italy and the tough slog up the penninsula. The Germans held the high mountainous ground and Roman answered many questions and told of some of his memories.  A few interesting things included the long route their troop ship took to avoid German submarines,that route took them all the way to the tip of South America before crossing to Southern Africa and up the coast before entering the Mediterrenean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar.  This tour of duty would take Roman to North Africa and then to Italy.  Roman showed a German flashlight that generated its own light by squeezing it, probably for reading maps, Roman also described some of the equipment, training, food and routines that were part of a soldiers life.  In answer to if he had any close calls Roman told of the shrapnel  still in his cheek!  As usual with veterans, we ran out of time as the dinner bell rang but we thank you much for helping these young people better understand the veterans experience.

Doug Wall also visited with these young people and shared and answered  many questions.  Doug went by troop ship to Germany by way of the North Atlantic and nearly slid off his ship during a storm.  Doug's duty took him to Berlin to run a powerful air compressor and many tools powered by it like jack hammers and drills to help in the demolition of cement bunkers and various buildings.  His sharing included being in Hitler's bunker before the Russian's destroyed it, the Russians dislike of Americans in Berlin and talking to young women who were forced to have babies to keep the future "super" race populated.  Doug also shared how on thw way home he changed uniforms to make sure he got fed better than on the way over! , and the time they lit the train boxcar on fire to keep from freezing.  Thanks Doug for an interesting hour.

December 2006: Adam Hartle visited with some of Mr. Poortvliet's social studies classes on Friday, the 15th of December. Some of the topics covered included food, weapons, religion, culture, weather, tactics, bathing and training,being wounded.

Adam's presentation included much visual with pictures and video ,many questions and commentary. This video covered training, artillery, dust blizzards, his buddies and war situations. Adam did an excellent job of fielding the questions and covering a great variety of material in 50 minute segments. The students said the information meant more to them coming directly from someone who has been through it.

Some interesting points covered were the insurgents use of dead animals for a explosives container, artillery shells accurate to take out a specific car in Windom if the shell was fired from Comfrey!  The Quick Reaction Force skill to pick up and leave a given point in an hour with 4000 personnal! The increase in snipers trained in Iran, the total blackout a slow moving dust blizzard incurs, the loss of good people and much more. Many thanks Adam for helping us understand what it means to be a soldier on the front lines.