Author Archives: John Bruns

Christmas during the War

A couple of years ago, I was part of a Church Christmas program, ‘Christmas through the Years’. Church members presented a number of vignettes portraying what it was like during Christmas for different time periods in history. The time period … Continue reading

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Eagles Nest, Hitlers Tea House

This day, Chick also continued up the mountain to the ‘Eagles Nest’.   The Kehlsteinhaus was a chalet-style structure erected on a sub-peak of the Hoher Göll. It was built as an extension of the Obersalzberg complex erected in the mountains above … Continue reading

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French Legion of Honor Presentation

On Friday, February 27, 2015,  Vincent Floreani, Consul General of France in Chicago presented Charles ‘Chick’ Bruns with the Legion of Honor medal. The Legion of Honor is France’s highest distinction and through this award, the French government pays tribute … Continue reading

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Local news paper features ‘Chick’

The News Gazette is a main stay in the local press for central Illinois. Today on the front page they featured one of their own, Charles ‘Chick’ Bruns.  Chick worked at the News Gazette for 39 years after his service … Continue reading

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Then and Now, Saint-Hippolyte School

As a result of this WWII diary, dad and I have developed some new friendships.    One such friend, Alban Bagy whose home town is Saint-Hippolyte in Alsace, eastern France. The post on December 25, 1944 showed Chick and fellow soldiers … Continue reading

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Missed Letter – November 19, 1944

A letter dated  November 19, 1944 was found and has now been published.  You can read it here.

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Letter Home – November 19, 1944

Dear Mother & Dad, Not much to write about. The going is a little slow so that also makes it hard to find some things to write about. (pardon me while I think of it please send me some olives … Continue reading

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