Richard Graff, formerly of Vienna, showed Nysmith students from Herndon a photo taken of himself on V-E Day in 1945 when war in Europe came to an end 70 years ago. He still wears his uniform when sharing experiences of the war, and brings a Nazi flag he captured.
Richard Graff didn't hesitate to describe his darkest days while serving in World War II. "Every combat soldier has to get used to the bodies," he said.
"Whenever I think back to that one day when I didn't think I would have another day, you bet, I'm glad to be here," Graff said.
When speaking about World War II, Graff, formerly of Vienna, also brings a portrait photo taken on V-E Day, May 8, 1945, when war in Europe came to an end nearly 70 years ago. He has a captured Nazi flag which is signed by comrades he served with.
Seventh and eighth graders from The Nysmith School in Herndon visited Ashby Ponds retirement community to record one-hour interviews with six veterans for The Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project, including Graff, formerly of Vienna, Al Burris, formerly of Springfield, Keith Wilkinson, Al Beyer, Lee Holmberg and Bruce Petree.
More than one-quarter of the 850 residents at Ashby Ponds are military veterans, said Jessica McKay, public affairs manager.
"Who wouldn't want to hear the experience of a veteran?" said Nysmith student Emily Elkas, who talked to and recorded Keith Wilkinson. Wilkinson, formerly of New Hampshire, spent 32 years in the military, "mostly in the Air Force," he said.
"As we talked more and more, his story got so interesting," said Emily Elkas.
"I think it's wonderful that we live in a time that we have technology so we can record their stories on video," said Anika Schipma, who talked with Al Burris. Burris brought a model of the helicopter he flew to help evacuate soldiers who needed medical attention.
"Thank you so much. And thank you so much for your service," Alexandra Murphy, told Burris. "I learned a lot, so much that I didn't learn from textbooks at school."
Graff also told the Nysmith students some advice he learned from war and from the relationships through serving in the war.
"Learn all you can about every subject you can," Graff said. "Next, make all the friends you can. It always helps."
Finally, "have all the fun you can," he said.
Nysmith students will return to Ashby Ponds, located on a 132-acre campus in Ashburn, throughout the spring.