molson_golden2002 Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/504141.html Before Edward F. Kielich marched off to some of the bloodiest fighting in World War II, he was like a father to his little sister, Peggy, reading her comic books and making up voices for the different characters. He was the father she never knew. When Kielich returned home from the war, he was silent and continually paced the floors of the family’s South Buffalo home. The young sister wondered: “Where’s my brother?” He ended up spending 62 years in a Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home, his mind devastated by the horror of a war that psychologically impacted two of his other brothers as well. But Kielich’s family says he is finally free. The 86-year-old Army veteran died Nov. 16 in the Canandaigua facility. Edward Kielich and his brother Gene had participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy at Omaha Beach, which became known as “Bloody Omaha” because of the high number of casualties. A third brother, Henry, flew in more than 60 missions above Poland and Germany, and a fourth brother came within a whisker of serving in World War II, had it not been for their mother’s fierce intervention.
stuckincincy Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/504141.html
Philly McButterpants Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 Tom Brokaw called them the "Greatest Generation" for a reason. What a sad story about a genuine American hero. My prayers for his family and my thanks to him and his family for their service.
Beerball Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 But Kielich’s family says he is finally free. RIP
Bullpen Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 A much-deserved "Rest in Peace" and thank you Mr. Kielich.
buckeyemike Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 RIP. A very sad story on the horrors of war.
Steely Dan Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 He's in a better place now. A friend of mine who saw Saving Private Ryan said she finally understood why her grandfather would wake up screaming in the night.
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