My Father didn't talk much about the War. I know it bothered him. I remember going to the VFW with my parents and when the Vets there had a few drinks the stories would begin to flow. Group therapy before we understood what that meant.

I'm not a great story teller, but here is a couple short clips.

My Father and I would watch" Battle of The Bulge" and " The Bridge at Remagan" when I was a child. My Father said of the Battle of The Bulge, that they didn't have all the equipment that was in the Movie. Men were freezing,no winter clothing and no shovels to dig foxholes, he saw men that dug furiously with their bare hands, wearing their fingers down to the bone to escape the shooting, shelling and the cold.

I don't know if it was at the Bulge, but he spoke of being resupplied and they received what appeared to be unfired ceramic plates, which they took out for target practice, they turned out to be plastic explosive.

My Father also crossed the Bridge at Remagan and when he crossed it, it was partially under water.

My Father told a story of when his company was camped out, He had to go to the bathroom. He walked away from the camp site and pulled down his pants to do the business, when he heard his Father's voice yell for him to get the hell out of there! He grabbed his pants and began to run, a few moments later a artillery strike began and impacted near where he almost performed his final duty!!

My Father was Liberating Forces at "Concentration Camp Dachau". I really don't remember him telling any stories about it. I know it disturbed him. I have the pictures that show the horror of the atrocities committed there.

Late in the War and during the occupation, my Father was attached to Army Intelligence. I believe he assisted in rounding up prisoners, interogating and processing them. He told of some German Officers escaping in a jeep and his pursuit of them on a motorcycle. The pursuit ended with the motorcyle going up a tree and my Father ending up in the Grave Yard, his head not far from a headstone.

I Love and respect my Father. I always wanted to go in the Army, to be like my Dad. When it was time, Dad didn't want me to go in the Army and I went in the Navy instead. My Dad didn't want me to see the Horrors of War, and besides he said, you'll always have three hots and a warm dry bed in the Navy.

Rest in Peace Staff Sergeant,Husband,Father!! Know that you are Sorely missed,Highly Respected and Eternally Loved

Roger H Van Auken