My father was WWII Veteran John Louis Del Santo from Poughkeepsie, New York.
He was with the Liberation Celebration in Plzen, Czechoslovakia. The Czechoslovakian people remember and honor all soldiers responsible for liberating them from the Nazi’s in 1945. I know very little of my Da’s military service. He did not share with us growing up. We never pushed by asking questions. Much of what I learned was after his death in 2011.
My brother, John and I have gone to Czechoslovakia several times. John went with Dad a few times. Our family presented my Da’s flag to the Czech people, who have now become our second family in May of 2012. It is on display in the Patton Museum in Plzen.
John works at Hartsfield Atlanta airport for Delta. The employees have a lounge for Veterans and current soldiers passing through during holidays. They are given home-cooked food and comfort while waiting for connections to wherever they are headed.
The picture of us in the jeep is during the Convoy in the May of 2012 celebration in Plzen, CZ! My brother John (not in uniform) is holding a picture of my Da’s last visit before his death. The Czech people lined the street for miles cheering for those riding in American vehicles left at the end of WWII, many with living Vets and families of Vets! My father was a person of honor that year. George (driver) had been my Da’s driver in past convoys. That was one of the most amazing days of my life and to ride in the jeep my Da rode in during previous Convoys and to also meet and talk to people that my Da knew and hear their stories… Here is a special dedication video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEdKjBThS0I&sns=fb
November 20, 2011 was the day we said good-bye to a man who touched us all in different ways. We miss you Da!
I can’t tell you the number of times I have picked up the phone to call him…
~ Diane Del Santo
Comes A Soldier’s Whisper is grateful for Diane sharing her father’s story.
STORY LINK: medium.com/…/wwii-veteran-deep-in-thought-his-celeb…
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