Alan Kinder turned 100 years old on January 26th. He survived the second wave of D-Day in 1944 and the Battle of the Bulge in 1945. He came home and married, had a family and a life. He didn’t talk much about WWII until his grandson asked him about it for a paper he was writing at school. That was about 30 years ago. He sat down and for the first time wrote down what it was like to be a soldier—20 years old on his first adventure. He then he said, “And I haven’t stopped talking and writing about it since.”
He was from Washington State and after he joined up, they took a troop train across the country as “the real D-Day” as he called it was happening. He was in uniform and said he felt a little guilty that at every stop, strangers would buy them meals and drinks just because they was in uniform. He felt, he hadn’t done anything yet but he didn’t have long to wait on that front. He got on the boat and sailed into the 2nd wave on Omaha Beach. Then, ended up at the Battle of the Bulge and nearly got killed. He had spent such a short time in the Army that when he returned home in the summer of 1945, he had to work in a hospital on a base near Houston to get his full benefits.
He was paid about $300 for his last paycheck and that was just enough to fly home to Seattle. He put his best uniform on but somewhere along the way it was spilled on so went he got home he didn’t think he looked like a conquering hero.
In the last year, he’s been able to celebrate in a way he never expected. He’s been to Normandy for the official 80th Anniversary events. After that trip in June where he met many dignitaries, he’s been honored at ball games, on news reports and radio shows. He told me he wanted to live to see his 100th birthday and on his birthday on Sunday, he said he’s holding out until the trip to the 80th anniversary of The Battle of the Bulge. Something tells me he will get there. He’s still living independently and has something to do every day.
He had purpose and resilience. I met Alan when my in-laws moved into a retirement community in Gainesville, Georgia. He lived across the hall and was the “Ambassador” for the community. While they lived there, I got to know him and shared with him that I would be taking my family to the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Montrevel in Southern France where my Dad served in WWII. He never knew about “Operation Anvil” as it was called and he did some studying and we had many great conversations about what he learned. He’s lost many people he loved in his life but his zest for living and good health has kept him going.
We bonded over our love of history. But he told me at his birthday party, “I love you. We don’t agree on politics, but that doesn’t matter. I just love you!” And he gave me a big hug. I lost my Dad many years ago, and I’m thankful for men like Alan who will share their stories and their love with this girl from Georgia—even if they don’t agree with my politics.
Happy Birthday, Alan! And many more!!!
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/1/1283396/people-that-matter-alan-kinder-and-american-hero