Bohemian Princess Diary

Welcome to our Veterans Salute issue. It was prompted by the release of the book Veterans Voices and Home Front Memories by Elaine Thomas. For those who get the Fayette County Record newspaper, you've read Elaine's monthly column "Stories I've Been Told." One story featured a WWII veteran. The response was so great that Elaine ended up writing 40 such stories compiled in a special supplement to the paper. From there, Elaine compiled 23 more WWII stories, and the result is the Vet Voices book.

We have featured an excerpt from the book on Leland Miller, a musician who took his trumpet with him on the USS Intrepid. He was proud to serve his country, but through his words, I also get the feeling that he was proud to be in the ship's band, bringing respite from the battles and consolation during the at-sea burials. I look forward to reading the rest of the stories in Elaine's book.

Elaine mentioned to me that some of the Fayette County veterans she reached out to chose not to participate. They just couldn't go back there, she said. I think my dad, Willie "Bill" Cernoch, would have responded that way. He never talked much about his Army days. He was part of the D-Day Normandy invasion. Even when my son, Alec, interviewed him for a school assignment, he didn't share much.

He was awarded a Bronze Star. My dad's brother, Erwin (Marine), found the letter that had been sent to their mother announcing the citation. It reads in part, "For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy on 27 December 1944, in Germany. Private Cernoch, a driver acting as a scout and radio operator, was a guiding member of a friendly infantry patrol sent into enemy territory to capture a German prisoner. Despite excellent observation afforded the enemy, due to a bright, full moon and the snow covered ground, he skillfully assisted in guiding the nine-man infantry patrol through friendly fire and numerous minefields, to its objective. After overpowering and capturing an enemy patrol less than six hundred yards from the Siegfried Line, the patrol and prisoners came under machine gun fire from three pill-boxes in the immediate area. At this time, Private Cernoch who carried a radio set, called for artillery support. Then, bravely exposing himself before the enemy guns, he calmly observed and directed artillery concentrations which effectively neutralized the German positions and minmized the threat of a counter-attack. Private Cernoch, in the outstanding performance of his duty at the risk of his own life, insured the successful accomplishment of the patrol mission. This brave and skillful conduct in the face of hostile action reflects great credit upon Private Cernoch and upon the traditions of the United States Army."

The letter addressed to my grandmother said, "A grateful government cannot attempt to reward a man who performs such deeds because their value cannot be measured by any ordinary means. All that the country can do is to acknowledge his deeds and to bestow upon him a mark of distinction which will be recognized as a badge of honor. Such a distinction was made to Private Cernoch when the Commanding General awarded him the Bronze Star."

The letter and citation hang in a place of honor in my house, next to the Bronze Star and other medals my dad received. My dad had lost his medals, but Uncle Erwin took the time to get them replaced. I am so grateful for that.

I noticed the citation mentioned how my dad "calmly" carried out his duties. That was my dad, calmly going through life, doing what needed to be done, working hard, not complaining.

Thank you, dad, and all the veterans who made this country great.

Till next month, Polka On!