History is most relevant when it holds the stories of those who lived through it.  In 2004, MariElena Baldini Oliverio, who had always been a history buff, began sharing stories with Charlotte Cutright’s Fifth Grade class at Simpson Elementary.  Her stories were from a first person standpoint of a soldier in World War II.

 

“The students hung on every word,” Oliverio said.  “They truly thought that I had lived through that time period and experienced what the soldier I was portraying did.”

 

Mid-Century was the time period Oliverio loved best. She not only loved watching the movies made during the 1940’s, but also gravitated toward the simplicity of life and the way the entire nation came together to support the war efforts.  As she researched the World War II, she often felt drawn not only to a particular soldier’s story, but to the way it affected his family, his community and the stories that would be passed on because of his actions.  It was these stories on which she drew when she entered the classroom fifteen years ago.

 

Also in 2004, Oliverio was working with her father, Jack Baldini, at the family’s business, Mountain State Travel.  Just a few days before D-Day’s 60^thanniversary in Normandy, she received a call that she will never forget.  David Romano and his wife Sallie were insistent on attending the anniversary ceremonies in France.  With less than a week to make the trip happen, Oliverio told them of all the possible obstacles that could make it impossible for them to attend.

 

“I told them they may not be able to get tickets, that there was no transportation into the town of Normandy from Paris due to increased security, no lodging accommodations close to the events because every place was sold out, plus all the complications of traveling three years after 9/11,” she said.  “None of this mattered to them, they said they would find a way, it was just too important to miss.  So, I helped them book the trip and directed them to the USO in Paris for tickets.”

 

Although we recently celebrated the 75^thAnniversary of D-Day with great fanfare, the 60^thanniversary was the first one that included some of the heads of state of the former Axis Powers, including Austria, which had previously been under rule by Nazi Kurt Waldheim.  

 

“I knew that if I were ever to see most of the World War II veterans, I needed to go to the 60^thanniversary event so they would still be able to share their stories, “ said Romano.  “It was such a significant time with the Allies and the former Axis Powers joining together to honor young men lost from 13 countries.”

 

Once they landed in France, the determined Romano and his wife went to the Paris USO and were given all-access passes by a lady who was a British Royal Air Force Spotter during the war. They took a cab two hours to the outskirts of town, where they joined the commemorative events.  With bands playing in the background, the crowd watched as a wreath was laid on Utah Beach in honor of the fallen.  Heads of States and government officials primarily attended the Omaha Beach commemoration, but the Romano’s were thrilled to hear the Secretary of Veteran Affairs speak at Utah Beach.  

 

Among the weeklong celebratory events in Normandy were military parades, badge ceremonies, masses and religious ceremonies, speeches, weapon and vehicle displays of that time period, and concerts.  But for Romano, it was the first-hand accounts, the stories, that mattered the most. 

“It’s one thing to see pictures taken during and after the war, but to actually get to sit down and talk with people who were in it was life-changing,” he said.

 

As they were leaving the event, they were offered a ride by Harold McCauley.  A seemingly ordinary name at first, until he asked if they recognized him.  As it turned out, McCauley was the very first soldier to drive a duck onto Utah Beach during the war. He told his son his initials were carved in the wood beams inside one of the fortifications, putting them there during the invasion.  The security guard let them into the guard post and upon investigation of the exact location, it was determined since he did indeed carve his name there he was given the unique opportunity to lay the wreath of remembrance in the ceremony held earlier that day.  Excited to hear more about his story, the Romano’s rode with him.

 

“He invited us to stay with him at a farmhouse provided for him by the French government,” said Romano. “We toasted with Calvados,the same liqueur the troops drank after securing the beach during the war and he told us personal stories about how scary it was for the soldiers.  Seeing it through his eyes was something I will never forget and we stayed in touch until he died, talking often.”

 

The D-Day anniversary also gave Romano a way to honor those from Harrison County that had fought in the war.  "Engine" Arco fought at just 19 years old, Sam Lopez of Shinnston was one of the last to survive, and countless others who served selflessly for our country.  Romano wrote an article many years ago as a guest writer on the sacrifices and lives of local heroes from WWII.

 

 

“We would never have been able to take that trip if it weren’t for MariElena,” said Romano.  “The trip changed our lives and we still talk about it. We would have loved to have returned for the 75^thAnniversary earlier this month, but were not able to. We will forever be grateful for having had the opportunity to experience the landing beaches of Normandy up close surrounded by such honorable people.”