The 6 Eagle Team had the pleasure of hearing from WWII hero Charlie Garner today. Many 6 Eagle students had written mail for Charlie’s “Mail Call” when he was on the September Honor Flight with Honor Flight Northeast Indiana, making this visit especially meaningful.
Charlie shared his experience in the Army as a replacement on D-Day plus 10, landing on the beaches of Normandy and continuing with the Allied advance across Europe. At 102 years old, Charlie is one of only two living WWII veterans in Kosciusko County, and he generously shared his stories and wisdom with our students.
In his professional life, Charlie spent many years serving as a teacher and principal before retiring. We were truly blessed by his visit to Indian Springs Middle School today.
Some highlights from Charlie’s visit:
Charlie was born in 1923. In 1934, he was pulling weeds in onion fields on his hands and knees for 10 hours a day, earning 85 cents.
He shared that at one time, he had 28 mortars in the air before the first one landed.
Charlie’s first Mail Call arrived over a month and a half after D-Day, showing how different communication was during the war.
He brought pamphlets that were dropped by the German Army over U.S. troops near the end of the war.
Charlie encouraged students to have a purpose in life—to find what they enjoy, work hard at it, and always look for ways to help others.
We are grateful to Charlie Garner for spending time with our students and for the example he continues to set through his service and his life.