53- WWII Paratrooper with CIB gives back to fallen troopers
WW II Paratrooper with CIB gives back to fallen comrades [13:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn this episode, we deliver an audio narration of an article that was published in THE AMERICAN LEGION Magazine at www.legion.org, pages 32 to 36.
The article is about Zane Schlemmer, who was a paratrooper in World War II that served with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division and made 2 combat parachute jumps (i.e., D-Day at Normandy and Operation Market-Garden in Holland in 1944).
Zane also received the CIB (Combat Infantryman’s Badge) for his action in 1944–not only in the parachute assaults, but also in his fight during the Battle of The Bulge in December, 1944. Zane was also recalled in 1950 during the Korean War and served stateside.
The article, however, highlights Zane’s recent and present contribution to his fallen comrades rather than his combat experiences.
Zane is a volunteer who supports the burials and services at cemeteries and he works a full week to give back to the fallen comrades — all veterans of all campaigns.
Now 87 years old, Zane can serve as a role-model of a trooper who braved adversities, rose above them (in combat, as well as in personal civilian life, and still can give to the community of those who served their country.
You can read the entire article from THE AMERICAN LEGION Magazine, pages 32 to 36, at www.legion.org. The story and photos are by Floyd K. Takeuchi, a writer and photographer living in Hawaii.
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