Since the sixth-graders had a field trip today, Madison Elementary School held a Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday afternoon.
As guest speaker, World War II U.S. Army veteran Norman "Mac" McGowen, 91, of Bremen, talked briefly about his experiences in the war. He also provided mementos that students could look at after the ceremony.
School nurse Jennifer Byall introduced McGowen.
McGowen was 23 years old when WWII broke out in 1942. He joined a tank destroyer group that landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, the day after D-Day in June 1944, Byall said.
"He was near death a number of times and credits God with saving him," she said.
On Dec. 10, 1944, McGowen was in a gun battle in France with the Germans. A Nazi panzer scored a direct hit on one of the American tanks.
McGowen ran to the burning vehicle and carried two wounded men away while shrapnel fell. He went back despite the dangers to search for more survivors. He laid three men, one on top of the other, onto the top of his tank and took them to get medical help.
For McGowen's courage, he was nominated for the Silver Star, the third-highest military decoration that can be given to any branch of the U.S. military, she said.
Besides being awarded the Silver Star, McGowen also received a Purple Heart, four campaign stars, the Victory and Good Conduct Medals and a Commendation for Leadership for his service.
"We are so honored to have you here," Byall told him as he took to the podium.
McGowen told the students that he had a lot of experiences through the war.
One time, he said, he had to cross a large river. The engineers built a big bridge to cross. Just as McGowen got across, the bridge was blown up behind him. The bridge had to be rebuilt overnight with enemies near.
"I could tell you a lot of stories, but I don't want to tell you any of the bad things," he said.
He once had to wear the same clothes from mid December 1944 until April 1945. He said he and his men didn't have any clean clothes, and they didn't carry anything with them either.
"One time I thought I'd take a bath. I went to the river and got naked. It was 20 degrees. I had no washcloth, no soap, just water. If you ever put your clothes on wet and cold, you know what I mean. I didn't try that again," he said.
In April 1945, he was sent back to Nice, France.
"It was one of the outstanding nights of my life," he said.
He had to get out of the bathtub twice and change the water because he dirtied it up that much. The third time he got in the bathtub, he was clean so he stayed until he was as wrinkly as a prune.
After months of working and traveling in the dark, there was nothing but lights in Nice. McGowen said he thought he was in heaven because it was so nice.
The soldiers had a problem getting food so they scrounged around trying to get food wherever they could. One night they were able to kill some deer and feed themselves and some villages. Though not a big fan of deer meat, he said the meal ended up being one of the best feasts he ever had.
There were many lives lost in the war in 1945, he said. "It was a difficult time, and once I've never forgot," he said.
McGowen said he was thankful he got to serve his country, and he loves his country very much.
"The biggest thing that happened to me was when I accepted Christ as my Saviour during the war," he said.
