WWII vets gather at VFMA to toast efforts to free Europe
World War II veterans gather at Valley Forge Military Academy to toast memories of liberation of Europe
“The 83rd Infantry Division Association has met every year since 1946. It’s one of the few World War II units that still hold reunions.”
— Kathleen Powers, a descendant of a veteran of the division and a past president of the 83rd Infantry Division Association
RADNOR >> They ranged in age from their lower 90s to 103, but a handful of World War II veterans made their way across the nation to Valley Forge Military Academy recently to remember and recall the liberation of Europe 75 years ago.
The veterans were members of the U.S. Army’s 83rd Infantry Division Association. They were in the area for the 2019 reunion.
The reunion included several events that took place both Friday in Radnor and Saturday in King of Prussia.
On Aug. 2, members of the unit placed a wreath at the Battle of the Bulge Monument on the campus of the Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne. Following that event, they put an additional seven wreaths in the chapel on campus. Each of those wreaths were in recognition of the various units within their division. Another wreath was placed for Jewish veterans and one was for the family members of the veterans. They also took time to recognize members and their families that passed away over the past year.
U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4 of Abington, also handed out United States Flags to each of
the veterans that were in attendance Friday.
With the remaining World War II Veterans getting older, the role of keeping the association going has fallen to their children and grandchildren.
Kathleen Powers is a descendant of a veteran of the division and a past president of the 83rd Infantry Division Association.
“The 83rd Infantry Division Association has met every year since 1946,” Powers said. “It’s one of the few World War II units that still hold reunions.”
According to Powers, the annual service is something they do every year to recognize the units that fell under the 83rd Infantry Division.
On Saturday, the members got together at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia for several events.
Dave Dimmick is the current president of the 83rd Infantry Division Association as a descendant of a veteran.
When asked why they continue to gather for a reunion
Members of the division landed on Omaha Beach June 19, 1944, and pushed through Normandy with General George Patton’s Third Army. They went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge and later crossed the Elbe River.
“We remember. A lot of people take their freedom and their liberties for granted. Someone gave it to us. I was raised by a World War II veteran. They did not quit. They went through the depression. They did not quit. They went through World War II and they did not quit. They won World War
II. They did not quit. I respect them highly, but I also respect all the activeduty military.”
— Dave Dimmick, the current president of the 83rd Infantry Division Association as a descendant of a veteran
three-quarters of a century later, Dimmick was able to give a quick answer.
“We remember,” he said before adding, “A lot of people take their freedom and their liberties for granted. Someone gave it to us. I was raised by a World War II veteran. They did not quit. They went through the depression. They did not quit. They went through World War II and they did not quit. They won World War II. They did not quit. I respect them highly, but I also respect all the active-duty military.”
Dimmick said about one percent of the American public has served in the United States military.
“People forget that we are at war, as I speak,” he said. “And people are giving their lives for our freedom. And that’s important to remember, honor and respect. Not only the veterans but the active duty and those who will serve in the United States military.”
Dimmick said another benefit he gets out of his involvement is the chance to sit down at the reunions with World War II veterans and listen to their stories.
“This may be the only place where they may get some stories off their chest because my father did not talk about World War II,” Dimmick said.
Dimmick said to keep the association going; it will take more of those who are the descendants of the veterans to become involved. Next year’s president will be the grandson of one the veterans, he said.
Members of the division landed on Omaha Beach June 19, 1944, and pushed through Normandy with General George Patton’s Third Army. They went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge and later crossed the Elbe River.
In April 1945, they liberated the Langenstein Concentration Camp. They stopped 61 kilometers from Berlin.