Saving Their Legacy Part III: Preserving history for future generations
For Mary Heider and others like her, preserving these stories is not just about remembering the past, but about honoring the sacrifices of those who served. "This is a wonderful way to honor our fathers," she says.
More Stories
As we celebrate our veterans this week, it’s essential to recognize not only their service but also the importance of preserving the stories of those who served.
These stories, many of which have never been written into history books, are at risk of being lost forever as the men and women of the "Greatest Generation," those who fought in World War II, continue to pass away.
On average, 131 veterans from this era die each day, taking their experiences with them, according to the National WWII Museum.
Efforts are underway to ensure their stories are not forgotten.
Mary Heider is at the forefront of one such initiative. Her father, John Whiteman of Seaford, served on a minesweeper in the English Channel during the war. His ship was there when a German U-boat sank the SS Leopoldville on Christmas Eve of 1944. The Leopoldville was a troop transport heading to the Battle of the Bulge. Hundreds of American soldiers perished, but only those on board the rescue ships knew the full extent of the tragedy, as the incident was kept secret for decades.
"The information on this was shut down. In fact, it was classified until 1996, which was a very long time after the war," says Dr. Libby O'Connell, chief historian emeritus at the History Channel.
Kim Harty, the daughter of another serviceman involved in the rescue, Neal Smith, shares that the military felt the news was "too demoralizing" to release at the time. The tragic event was kept quiet for years to protect morale during the war.
Neal Smith's bravery in rescuing drowning soldiers earned him a medal, but like many others, his heroism was little known outside of those directly involved. Whiteman's letters home to his sister described the incident. In one letter, Whiteman wrote, "I'll never forget this Christmas as long as I live, and I hope God spares me another one like it."
Mary Heider has taken it upon herself to ensure that the stories of her father and others like him are not forgotten. She has created a website dedicated to preserving the letters, photographs, and other documents from veterans like her father and Smith. This digital archive serves as a vital resource for future generations, allowing these brave men’s stories to be shared and remembered.
As historian Dr. O'Connell emphasizes, “Every day we lose more, and these stories are so worth preserving.” Harty echoes this sentiment, adding, "I just think it's really important that these guys are not forgotten."
For Heider and others like her, preserving these stories is not just about remembering the past, but about honoring the sacrifices of those who served. "This is a wonderful way to honor our fathers," she says.
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