World War II vets to speak at Roanoke County Library

World War II vets to speak at Roanoke County Library

Earlier this year, the Library hosted a group of Vets from WWII and the turn out was huge. So much that the library is offering another program. 

Saturday September 7th 10am the library is hosting several vertains from World War II will cather and speak.

• Wes Bower, 4th Marine Division, fought during the entire 35-day battle of Iwo Jima; witnessed the American flag being raised on Mount Suribachi.

•  Don Englar, Higgins boat coxswain that boated the troops to shore from the big boats at both Iwo Jima and Normandy; witnessed the American Flag being raised on Mount Suribachi.

•  John Kessler, 82th Airborne Paratrooper, Battle of the Bulge, landed at Anzio Beachhead, Italy, and was dropped into Berlin near war’s end.

• Herbert Hobbs, Army, landed at bloody Omaha Beach at Normandy on D-Day.

• John Cecil, Marine fighter pilot, flew off the island of Okinawa.

• Buster Shaeff, Navy, delivered troops to the beaches in a Higgins boat at Omaha Beach. Boat was hit by German guns and he had to come to shore; also took the Rangers to their Special Mission, scaling the cliffs of Point-du-Hoc.

The event is free and open to the public. Seating is first come. Doors open at 9am. The Library is located 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke.