Happy Saturday!  I usually do not have a post on Saturday but I will make an exception this Saturday to tell briefly about an exceptional man, whom I’ve had the good fortune to have met and known these past 14 years through Rotary.

His name is Asher Schroeder and he is of our greatest generation.  The young lady next to Asher is his neighbor and good friend Lisa Clark.  Lisa works at Maquoketa State Bank in Maquoketa and her and her husband have two sons.  Everyone knows Lisa as one of the most caring and considerate people you will ever meet.  She watches over Asher and makes sure he is taking care of himself.

In August of 1943 Asher was inducted into the Army to serve in the theater of War and was shipped to Europe.  He landed at Utah Beach on June 10th and he recounts his amazing story from that period on.

I have heard Asher speak of the war on different occasions but only in casual conversations and only bits and pieces Two weeks ago he gave the program at Rotary and it was a captivating recollection of an event that happened more than 70 years ago with specific dates and vivid memories.  He did this without notes or any other visual aids.  It was a remarkable story to listen to.

Yesterday our bank, Maquoketa State Bank, had Asher come and speak to the entire staff at their weekly meeting.  He told his story again and it was just as remarkable hearing it two weeks later as it was the first time.

Dennis Voy, a fellow Rotarian and owner of KMAQ FM / AM Radio in Maquoketa was on hand as well and he video taped the presentation.  He posted it on YouTube® and I have linked to it below.  It is 46 minutes long but I can tell you that you won’t find a better 46 minutes to watch.  We are losing this generation at an alarming rate and anytime we can share in their remarkable giving and sacrifice is well worth the time.  I encourage you to click on the link and listen to his story.

As always thank you for stopping by the blog.  Enjoy your snowy Saturday and be careful.