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Presented by April Cheek-MessierOn Sunday, 25 June 1944, Ivylyn Schenk wrote from her home in the rural community of Bedford, Virginia to her husband who was serving with the 29th Infantry Division and stationed in Europe. She wrote him faithfully each day and, on this particular date, was excited to acknowledge their anniversary.
John, my darling.
Well, it has been twenty-two months since we were married. It has seemed very long, and yet, unbelievably short in duration – the only constant thing about it is that I continue to love and appreciate you more and more each day… How it thrills me to realize that soon you’ll be coming back home and we will be together for the rest of our lives…
Ivylyn had no idea as she lovingly composed this letter, that her husband John lay buried on the beaches of Normandy, killed 19 days earlier on D-Day, 6 June 1944. She would continue writing him for over a month. When discovering the news of his death, she would never be the same. And so it would be for families throughout the United States: sweethearts, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, and family members who would cheer the news of a successful invasion and grieve at the loss.
Through period photos and individual stories of service and sacrifice, participants will discover more about the training and preparation for D-Day, how it changed the world and our region, and its continued impact today. The session will conclude with how a group of WWII veterans themselves spearheaded the making of a monument to preserve the history they helped make.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Sydnor Performance Hall, Lynchburg, United States
Tickets
