Veteran: Frank J. La Marr
Submitted By: Winner - Patti La Marr (Daughter)

My father was a World War II veteran. He was in his early thirties when he joined, and after completing basic training, he was sent to Papua New Guinea. The men in his unit called him "Pops" because of his age. I’m not sure how much direct action he saw.

Back home in Arcadia, California, he owned a gas and tire repair station, and he contributed to the war effort by repairing tires for the Army. It may not sound exciting, but it was essential work that helped keep the soldiers moving forward.

I deeply honor and respect all service members, whether they saw intense action or served in support roles. They all put their lives on the line for our freedom.

Veteran: Frank Marianacci
Submitted By: Donna Mangan (Grand-Niece)

I would like to nominate my grand-uncle, Frank Marianacci. Growing up, he was a big part of our family, and he truly understood that Veterans Day was more than just a holiday. In honor of my grand-uncle Frank, I am sharing the attached page highlighting his outstanding accomplishments - which included an American Defense Service Medal, a European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Purple Heart.

Veteran: William Weidenmaier
Submitted By: Sandra Shafer (Daughter)

In 2012, my mother handed me an old photo album and said, “You need to take this album from the 1940s with photos of your dad and his old girlfriend.” I took it, looked through pictures of my dad and his friends, and then stored it away in a closet.

In 2015, I bought FOREVER Storage and began digitizing the old scrapbooks I’d kept in that closet. Among them, I discovered 12 fascinating WWII photos and other memories, including an envelope with even more pictures—some with the “old girlfriend”—along with 20 additional WWII photos and negatives featuring my dad.

My father, “Daddy Bill,” had been deaf since childhood due to whooping cough. He concealed his disability to enlist in the Army. Sadly, he passed away in a car accident in 1963 when I was only a year old. Yet, I feel like I hear his voice as he’s telling me his WWII story through the photos, newspaper clippings, letters from various generals, and his medals.

My veteran hero is my father, William Weidenmaier. I am incredibly proud of the legacy of this great man, who served in the 32nd Red Arrow Division in the Philippines and helped defeat the Japanese. Despite his disability, he fought in some of the most intense battles of the war to defend the United States.

With FOREVER Storage, organizing these memories and sharing my dad’s story with others has become so much easier.

Veteran: John Holsbach
Submitted By: Debbie Garland (Daughter)

As a know-it-all teenager, nothing bored me more than listening to my dad talk about his years of service in WWII. Oh, how I wish I could go back now—I’d listen intently to every word and ask for more details. I’m so proud of his service and how challenging it must have been: writing letters that took weeks to reach loved ones, with no other connection to home.

John Holsbach served from January 13, 1942, to December 26, 1945. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands and the Southern Philippines as a member of the Military Police. During combat, he also served as a medical aidman, performing medical duties to care for and treat sick, injured, and wounded military personnel in the heat of battle. He took part in two major campaigns and was awarded the Bronze Star, as well as the Meritorious Unit Award and the Good Conduct Medal. My older brother and uncle tried to learn how he earned the Bronze Star, but that story went with him to the grave. His military records were stored in St. Louis, Missouri, where a fire in 1973 destroyed 16 to 18 million military records, including my dad’s, so we’ll never know the full details.

There are a few things I remember him sharing with us, though, including his time guarding prisoners. I’ll never forget how, if I got mouthy, he would say, “I fought for this country so I could say what I want, when I want, and I darn well will—and you will listen.” How I wish I could go back and listen now. He was so proud of his years of service, as he should have been. He was an active member of the American Legion for as long as I can remember and always looked so handsome in his uniform, whether he was marching in parades or honoring others at military funerals.

I have so much love and respect for our veterans and all they’ve given—many with lifelong physical or mental injuries, time away from family, and, for some, the ultimate sacrifice. When you see a veteran with a cap bearing their branch of service, take a moment to shake their hand and thank them. Because of them, we all have the freedom to say what we want, when we want.