{"id":264,"date":"2019-11-11T16:00:43","date_gmt":"2019-11-11T21:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?p=264"},"modified":"2021-10-18T13:39:29","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T17:39:29","slug":"following-my-fathers-wwii-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/following-my-fathers-wwii-path\/","title":{"rendered":"#2 &#8211; Following My Father\u2019s WWII Path"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"sdm_download_item \"><div class=\"sdm_download_item_top\"><div class=\"sdm_download_thumbnail\"><\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_title\">Blog #2 (Audio)<\/div><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_description\"><p>Listen to the audio of this blog, read by Andy Adkins. Click the \u201c<em><strong>Audio<\/strong><\/em>\u201d button below.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_date\"><span class=\"sdm_download_date_label\">Published: <\/span><span class=\"sdm_download_date_value\">October 18, 2021<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_link\"><span class=\"sdm_download_button\"><form action=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?sdm_process_download=1&#038;download_id=5397\" method=\"post\" class=\"sdm-g-recaptcha-form sdm-download-form\"><div class=\"sdm-recaptcha-button\"><div class=\"g-recaptcha sdm-g-recaptcha\"><\/div><a href=\"#\" class=\"sdm_download darkblue sdm_download_with_condition\">Audio by Andy Adkins<\/a><\/div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"download_id\" value=\"5397\" \/><\/form><\/span><span class=\"sdm_download_item_count\"><span class=\"sdm_item_count_number\">6<\/span><span class=\"sdm_item_count_string\"> Downloads<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sdm_clear_float\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/16.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/16.jpg?resize=155%2C217&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-265\" width=\"155\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/16.jpg?w=286&amp;ssl=1 286w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/16.jpg?resize=215%2C300&amp;ssl=1 215w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 155px) 100vw, 155px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>A.Z. Adkins, Jr.<br>Luxembourg (1945)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Europe from terror. For us baby boomers and veterans, this is a somber reminder of what our fathers and grandfathers sacrificed in order to preserve the freedoms we\u2019ve come to enjoy today. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My father, A.Z. Adkins, Jr., fought with General George Patton\u2019s Third Army during the war. He was with the 80th Infantry Division, which landed on Utah Beach in early August 1944. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was wounded in early October in Sivry, France, sent to England for rehab, and then returned to the 80th the day before the Battle of the Bulge began. He was also one of many who \u201cstumbled upon\u201d several German concentration camps, most notably Buchenwald. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I can\u2019t tell you the chills I had when my wife &amp; I visited Europe (France, Luxembourg, &amp; Germany) a few years ago. In several cities, the local citizens celebrated their liberation by the 80th Division by unveiling several memorials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowing that I was standing in the same locations my father had stood years earlier was an honor. Trekking deep into a forest with a local historian, I stood in a foxhole where my father <em>may<\/em> have slept. But I know  his company (Company H, 317th Infantry Regiment) launched mortars from that location in order to fight off the Germans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was an extraordinary journey for me. It still gives me goosebumps when I think of that special day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve been on two of these trips, following my father&#8217;s journey through the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My wife\u2019s father was also in WWII; he parachuted in behind enemy lines during the early morning hours on June 6, 1944 &#8212; D-Day. He was with the 82nd Airborne Division. We took the opportunity to visit the Normandy area, including Omaha Beach and Utah Beach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being able to follow in our fathers\u2019 footsteps, so to speak, was a life-changing experience for us both. The French, Luxembourgers, and Germans are perfect hosts and at every turn, they showed their appreciation for what our veterans did for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_1944.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_1944.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-266\" width=\"186\" height=\"278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_1944.jpg?w=2304&amp;ssl=1 2304w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_1944.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_1944.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_1944.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_1944.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 186px) 100vw, 186px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Luxembourg American Cemetery<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also visited the Luxembourg American Cemetery, located in Hamm, Luxembourg, just outside Luxembourg City. My wife and I were with many WWII veterans and their families and joined Helen Patton, General Patton\u2019s granddaughter, in a moving ceremony. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We strolled around and through the well-kept cemetery grounds; again, a very emotional experience \u2013 there are more than 5,000 American war dead buried at the cemetery, which covers 50 acres and was dedicated in 1960. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A friend of mine, also on the tour, visited with his older brother whom he lost in WWII. This photo is one of the most moving photographs I\u2019ve taken and a constant reminder of what war does to a family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There will be many celebrations over the next few months in Europe. Learn what you can about your fathers and your grandfathers and what they did during WWII. And, if you have the opportunity, I hope you\u2019ll take advantage of some of these activities and celebrations the French, Luxembourgers, and Germans are planning for the 75th Anniversary of their liberation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Until we meet again,<br>\n<\/em>Andy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/never-forget\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel.jpg?resize=75%2C112&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"NEVER FORGET Book Cover with &quot;New&quot; Label\" class=\"wp-image-3452\" width=\"75\" height=\"112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 75px) 100vw, 75px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#000030\">Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (\u201973-77) and the author of several books. His newest novel, NEVER FORGET, is the story of A Vietnam Veteran\u2019s Journey for Redemption &amp; Forgiveness. NEVER FORGET is FREE (eBook, PDF) for all veterans. Download your <strong>FREE<\/strong> copy <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/never-forget\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This year marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Europe from terror. For us baby boomers and veterans, this is a somber reminder of what our fathers and grandfathers sacrificed in order to preserve the freedoms we\u2019ve come to&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/following-my-fathers-wwii-path\/\" class=\"readmore\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">#2 &#8211; Following My Father\u2019s WWII Path<\/span><span class=\"fa fa-angle-double-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[60],"tags":[20,67,65,57,66,4,5],"class_list":["post-264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-army","tag-80th-infantry-division","tag-82nd-airborne-division","tag-baby-boomer","tag-battle-of-the-bulge","tag-concentration-camp","tag-veteran","tag-wwii","content-layout-excerpt-thumb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>#2 - Following My Father\u2019s WWII Path &#8212; A Veteran&#039;s Journey<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"My father foughtduring WWII. 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