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Rotarians get a historic look at WWII
By Silver Hogue: silver_hogue@terrelltribune.com
Dr. Deborah Price gave Terrell Rotary Club members a brief history lesson Thursday with her presentation, “Historic Highlights Honoring WWII Soldiers.”
Price, a Dallas audiologist, opened the Hearing Professional Center in 1983 and for the last 24 years has spent much of her time teaching, training, traveling and lobbying for improvement in the field of audiology.
Price had the opportunity to relive history on a very personal basis last fall - a trip she says has changed her forever. Her travels took her from the Normandy coast to Heidelberg, Germany, immersing her in the history of the European campaign leading up to the surrender of German forces on May 7, 1945.
Through pictures and detailed accounts of the experience, Price discussed the Allied landing in Normandy on June 6, 1944, The Battle of the Bulge, the end of the axis offensive and the liberation of Belgian.
She described the stillness of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial and the breathtaking Le Memorial de Cain.
“The peacefulness of the beaches and cemeteries are juxtaposed with the physical remnants of the horrific battles that occurred on that fateful morning,” Price said. “The hair on my arms still stands up every time I think about it.”
While visiting the city of Bastogne, Price said she was moved by how much respect the townspeople still had for Americans after many years.
“Our guide in Bastogne was a mere boy when all of the fighting occurred,” Price said. “He told us his father was killed outside their farmhouse and he and his remaining family were captured by the Germans. You could still see fox holes and trenches on the forest floor. The citizens are still very happy to welcome Americans. It is the only place I've ever visited outside the U.S. that flew so many American flags.”
Price's visit coincided with the Veterans Day Memorial service at the Luxembourg American Veteran Cemetery. Price witnessed the service, which was complete with a color guard and echo “Taps” performance. The granddaughter and great-grandson of decorated Gen. George S. Patton were also in attendance.
The last leg of her journey was to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center's Fisher House in Heidelberg. As of November 2006, the center has served almost 5,000 families including 935 from Afghanistan and Iraq operations. Fisher House receives a significant portion of its funding through charitable contributions. Price said they presented the USO with approximately $12,000 in international phone card and gift certificates and thousands of personal letters and pictures collected from schools, churches and individuals.
“The volunteers were overwhelmed by the generosity expressed by so many,” Price said. “Just talking about the experience brings back the memory and tears of that moment. The trip changed my life and I'll never forget it.”
Price, a Dallas audiologist, opened the Hearing Professional Center in 1983 and for the last 24 years has spent much of her time teaching, training, traveling and lobbying for improvement in the field of audiology.
Price had the opportunity to relive history on a very personal basis last fall - a trip she says has changed her forever. Her travels took her from the Normandy coast to Heidelberg, Germany, immersing her in the history of the European campaign leading up to the surrender of German forces on May 7, 1945.
Through pictures and detailed accounts of the experience, Price discussed the Allied landing in Normandy on June 6, 1944, The Battle of the Bulge, the end of the axis offensive and the liberation of Belgian.
She described the stillness of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial and the breathtaking Le Memorial de Cain.
“The peacefulness of the beaches and cemeteries are juxtaposed with the physical remnants of the horrific battles that occurred on that fateful morning,” Price said. “The hair on my arms still stands up every time I think about it.”
While visiting the city of Bastogne, Price said she was moved by how much respect the townspeople still had for Americans after many years.
“Our guide in Bastogne was a mere boy when all of the fighting occurred,” Price said. “He told us his father was killed outside their farmhouse and he and his remaining family were captured by the Germans. You could still see fox holes and trenches on the forest floor. The citizens are still very happy to welcome Americans. It is the only place I've ever visited outside the U.S. that flew so many American flags.”
Price's visit coincided with the Veterans Day Memorial service at the Luxembourg American Veteran Cemetery. Price witnessed the service, which was complete with a color guard and echo “Taps” performance. The granddaughter and great-grandson of decorated Gen. George S. Patton were also in attendance.
The last leg of her journey was to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center's Fisher House in Heidelberg. As of November 2006, the center has served almost 5,000 families including 935 from Afghanistan and Iraq operations. Fisher House receives a significant portion of its funding through charitable contributions. Price said they presented the USO with approximately $12,000 in international phone card and gift certificates and thousands of personal letters and pictures collected from schools, churches and individuals.
“The volunteers were overwhelmed by the generosity expressed by so many,” Price said. “Just talking about the experience brings back the memory and tears of that moment. The trip changed my life and I'll never forget it.”
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