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Post by fjs64 on Jul 3, 2014 9:23:20 GMT -5
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Post by class70 on Jul 3, 2014 10:47:46 GMT -5
He was a great American. I hope his story lives on and inspires legions of others.
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Post by sneakers on Jul 3, 2014 11:52:39 GMT -5
If you haven't read the book "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption", you should. I was fortunate to be able to participate in a video conference with Mr. Zamperini last year. He was still going strong and sharp as a tack. Amazing that he survived to the age of 97 with the challanges he faced in life. He had a strong faith in God that got him through. He is a true inspiration and an American hero. www.nytimes.com/2014/07/04/arts/louis-zamperini-olympian-war-survivor-unbroken-dies.html?_r=0 |
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Post by bbb on Jul 3, 2014 13:47:00 GMT -5
NBC had a special on him during one of the Olympics. It was amazing. I had no idea he born in Olean.
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Post by ceharv on Jul 7, 2014 8:37:11 GMT -5
I join in sneaker's suggestion that EVERYONE should read that book. It is much more than a war book or story. His life was truly remarkable.IMHO, this is the kind of book that should be mandatory reading in our schools, rather than many of the so-called classics we force kids to suffer through and be tested on. To Olean city fathers - how about a small plaque to this true local hero in the park at the corner of Union and State? He deserves it - Olympian, war hero and first class humanitarian.
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Post by res on Jul 7, 2014 9:08:42 GMT -5
To Olean city fathers - how about a small plaque to this true local hero in the park at the corner of Union and State? He deserves it - Olympian, war hero and first class humanitarian. A monument is already planned for him at War Vets Park by private citizens. Three quarters of the funds have already been raised, or at least pledged. |
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ladderbuddy
Sophomore Member
Retire #53 Mr. G!
Posts: 120
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Post by ladderbuddy on Jul 7, 2014 17:40:26 GMT -5
The question is why did it take 97 years to come up with the idea?
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Post by res on Jul 7, 2014 20:15:40 GMT -5
The question is why did it take 97 years to come up with the idea? One, he wasn't a war hero at birth. Two, he left Olean with his family at the age of two. One can presume that he didn't leave much of a mark by that age. Three, Hillenbrand's book didn't come out until late 2010 -- he was generally unknown before then. I think that we can cut the good citizens of Olean a break on this one. |
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Post by ceharv on Jul 8, 2014 10:51:45 GMT -5
thanks for the info res - glad to see the city is moving on this already, and i agree, any monument should really be to celebrate his whole life. In reading the book, I recall his accomplishments in his later years matched his earlier accomplishments. Late in life, he personified the concept of forgiveness - something I think Bonas could incorporate into theology classes and teachings, particularly given the local connection however fleeting or tenuous it may have been.
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