Veterans Day has a long and substantial history. It was first celebrated as Armistice Day, the day that the warring nations of America and Europe agreed on an armistice, a temporary cessation of hostilities, that brought World War I—the Great War, the war to end all wars, the bloodiest conflict so far in all of humankind’s bloody history, with more than 8.5 million military casualties...…
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World War II
As we celebrate Flag Day and the adoption of the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777 by Congress, Lori Bailey is learning more about her grandfather’s accomplishments as both a soldier and an individual. His plane was shot down by enemy fire in 1944. (Photo by Lori Bailey) Long-forgotten Mementos Unpack Soldier’s Personal, Military History By DARLA M. YOUNGSONEONTA “I found these fascinating treasures in a box of things left behind by my grandmother, Gertrude Fuller, when she passed. They…
In Memoriam Frank M . Van Auken, 102 May 9, 1920 – November 10, 2022 Frank M. Van Auken, 102, passed away peacefully at Woodside Hall in Cooperstown, NY, on November 10, 2022, where he had lived since February 2018. Frank was born May 9, 1920, at his family home on Fassett Rd. in East Springfield, NY. He was the son of Olen Van Auken and Jennie Marks Van Auken. After graduating from East Springfield School, Frank enlisted in the…
Letter from Chip Northrup Glimmerglass Triumph The Glimmerglass production of The Sound of Music is a triumph. Without giving the stagecraft away, the song “Edelweiss” is put in its proper historical context: it’s a protest song against fascism. The Nazi regime was famously protested by officers, such as the real Baron von Trapp, a WWI war hero, by protest groups, including those let by the minister Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and student groups, the most famous of which were the Edelweiss Pirates.…
In Memoriam Mary June Dickinson, 99 June 25, 1922 – May 3, 2022 COOPERSTOWN – Mary June Dickinson, of Penn Yan and formerly Cooperstown, was a beloved great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, mother-in-law and wife during her incredible 99 (almost 100) years of life. She went to be with her Lord peacefully on May 3, 2022. She was affectionately known as “Mama” to her family and many friends. Mary was born June 25, 1922 to Charles and Louise (Carey) Klein in New…
Life Sketches by Terry Berkson Cultural differences can be bridged with care In December 1965, I and 1,400 other soldiers set sail from Brooklyn on the USS Darby, the last troop ship ferrying our soldiers over to Germany. After that, the military used planes and an eight-day voyage was reduced to an eight-hour flight. During the frigid crossing, there was little to do and we were shown a lot of frivolous movies. Looking back I see this would have been…
Pathfinder forerunner, ‘The Otsego School,’ helped three imprisoned Japanese-Americans during WWII By RICHARD McDONOUGH • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com An Edmeston school for children with Down syndrome welcomed three Japanese Americans in 1943, who had been imprisoned by the Federal Government for no other reason than their heritage. The Otsego School provided employment opportunities for these three women. The school in Edmeston has evolved through the years. Its successor is Pathfinder Village, which today provides a variety of educational and support…
FIELD STORIES After 50 Bombing Missions, Airman Enjoyed Tranquillity By TERRY BERKSON • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com SOUTH COLUMBIA – World War II veteran Jim Andrecheck, who lives just north of Richfield Springs, recently fell and broke his hip. He’s almost 99 years old and I thought the injury would end his and his wife Mary’s independent life style. • Up until a year and a half ago, Jim was driving a pickup and tending his own vegetable garden. Miraculously, his…
IN MEMORIAM Graham Duncan, WWII Veteran, 35-Year SUNY Oneonta Professor ONEONTA – Graham Duncan, a published poet and 35-year SUNY Oneonta English professor who, with the 87th Infantry during World War II, witnessed Buchenwald’s liberation, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, following a brief illness. He was in his 90s. His wife of 69 years, Evelyn Duncan, was at his side at his passing.…
IN MEMORIAM Funeral Mass Planned For William Kraham, 94; Decorated Pilot, Lawyer COOPERSTOWN – A funeral mass is planned for William Rohan Kraham, 94, a decorated bomber pilot during the D-Day invasion who then pursued a legal career specializing in aviation, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Kraham family plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index. Mr. Kraham, a Cooperstown native and longtime resident of Gaithersburg,…