September 30, 20009

Tonight many of Gene's family and friends gathered at the funeral home to share in the beginning of this celebration of his life.

One of the defining times of Gene's life was certainly the time he spent in the military during World War II. He left high school at the end of his junior year and volunteered for the army. He was trained and in place in time to participate in the landing at Utah Beach during the Invasion of Normandy. His job there was a longshoreman unloading troops, tanks, jeeps, and supplies onto the beach under heavy fire. As soon as the opportunity arose, he transferred as a replacement into the 17th Airborne and was assigned duty as a member of an anti-tank artillery unit. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and campaigns across Northern Europe and in the Rhineland, and crossed the Rhine in a glider in Operation Varsity.

It was only in his later years that Gene really began to talk and write about his memories of that time. After he moved to Chattanooga, he participated in the Veterans History Project where he had the opportunity to talk about some of his experiences. The family hopes that those who are interested will take the time to visit Gene's personal narrative at the Veteran's History Project.

Of course Gene was much more than his time and experiences in the military, but in some way even to the end the metaphor of brave and courageous soldier suited him.