"We have arrived"

Here we are two blessed College of the Ozarks students embarking on the journey to discovering the hearts of WWII veterans. We have joined with the Greatest Generations Foundation to commemorate the 65^th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

Sitting on the plane from Springfield to Chicago, a rush of thoughts raced through our heads; how does one begin to understand what these men have sacrificed for us? The little amount we have spent with our veterans is opening doors and revealing the substantial price these men paid for our freedom.

The moment we met our veterans, their willingness to share was evident. The complexities of the stories are far beyond our comprehension right now, yet we anxiously wait for their stories to unfold as the week progresses.

Who are we to receive such an honorable opportunity to experience first-hand stories which have been hidden in these veterans’ hearts longing to be heard? We are beginning to feel the weight of responsibility which has been in the minds of these men for 65 years.

From our hotel, we can see the Ardennes Forest which took the lives of 19,000 Americans. To people who are passing by, this is just a hotel. To us, we know the perseverance and valor displayed here 65 years ago, until next time…Tomorrow we look forward to a day in Monschu, Germany for a visit to the Christmas markets.

Sincerely,

Mandy & Toby
College of the Ozarks and The Greatest Generations Foundation

Here is a video of the highlights of our first dinner together.