Czech Remembrance

This is an amazing story of remembrance. In the Czech Republic, the school
children of the equivalent of fifth grade are each assigned one of the American
and Canadian liberators buried there. Their grave is the student's responsibility
for the year and they learn all there is to know of their own hero. Their surviving
family is sent letters and they respond to the annual child who tends their loved
one's grave.

No apology needed here!
Have you ever wondered if anyone in Europe remembers America 's sacrifice

In World War II? There is an answer in a small town in the Czech Republic.

The town called Pilsen ( Plzen ).



Every 5 years, Pilsen conducts the Liberation Celebration of the City of Pilsen
in the Czech Republic. May 6th, 2010, marked the 65th anniversary of the

Liberation of Pilsen by General George Patton's 3rd Army. Pilsen is the town

that every American should visit. Because they love America and the

American Soldier.


Even 65 years later... by the thousands,

The citizens of Pilsen came to say thank you.

Lining the streets of Pilsen for miles

From the large crowds,

to quiet reflective moments,

including this American family's private time to honor and remember their
American hero.


This is the crash site of Lt. Virgil P. Kirkham, the last recorded American

USAAF pilot killed in Europe during WWII. It was Lt. Kirkham's 82nd mission and one that
he volunteered to go on. At the time, this 20-year-old pilot's P-47 Thunderbolt
plane was shot down, a young 14-year-old Czech girl, Zdenka Sladkova, was

so moved by his sacrifice she made a vow to care for him and his memory.

For 65 straight years, Zdenka, now 79-years-old, took on the responsibility

to care for Virgil's crash site and memorial near her home.


On May 4th, she was recognized by the Mayor of Zdenka's home town of
Trhanova , Czech Republic , for her sacrifice and extraordinary effort to

honor this American hero.

Another chapter in this important story... the Czech people areteaching their

children about America 's sacrifice for their freedom.

American Soldiers, young and old, are the ”Rock Stars” these children and
their parents want autographs from.

Yes, Rock Stars! As they patiently waited for his autograph, the respect this
little Czech boy and his father have for our troops serving today was
heartwarming and inspirational.

The Brian LaViolette Foundation established The Scholarship of Honor in

tribute to General George S. Patton and the American Soldier, past and

present.

Each year, a different military hero will be honored in tribute to General
Patton's memory and their mission to liberate Europe. This award will be
presented to a graduating senior who will be entering the military or a form
of community service such as fireman, policeman, teaching or nursing –

a cause greater than self. The student will be from 1 of the 5 high schools in

Pilsen, Czech Republic.

The first award will be presented in May 2011 in honor of Lt. Virgil Kirkham,
that young 20-year-old P-47 pilot killed 65 years ago in the final days of

WWII.

Presenting Virgil's award will be someone who knows the true meaning of

Service and sacrifice... someone who looks a lot like Virgil. Marion Kirkham,

Virgil's brother, who himself served during WWII in the United States Army

Air Corps!!!

In closing... Here is what the city of Pilsen thinks of General Patton's grandson.
George Patton Waters (another Rock Star!) we're proud to say, serves on

Brian's  Foundation board.

And it's front page news over there not buried in the middle of the social

section.

Brigadier General Miroslav Zizka, 1st Deputy Chief of Staff, Ministry of
Defense, Czech Armed Forces.