Stanley Lester Sime
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THE BACKSTORY
The significance of visiting my Great Grandparents cannot be overstated. My anticipation during the drive to Albany was nothing short of ecstatic, fueled by the hope of delving into their trunk filled with old family photos. My enduring passion for history, culminating in a degree in Anthropology from the U of O, made those moments all the more meaningful. The opportunity to share those nostalgic photo sessions with my Great Grandparents, while they were seated beside me, remains something I am eternally grateful for.
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I vividly recall the nervousness that accompanied my desire to inquire about my Great Grandfather's experiences in WWII. Advised against broaching the subject due to the painful memories he harbored, I respected his silence while eagerly anticipating glimpses of his service through photographs. During one such exploration of the photo trunk, I stumbled upon a coin adorned with a Nazi Swastika—an emblem I had only heard about but never seen or touched. I was honestly shocked to find such an item, as we’d looked through the trunk many other times.
My Great Grandfather told me he acquired the coin in Germany and asked if I wanted it. Overwhelmed with joy, I made a solemn vow to keep it safe. Upon returning home, I uncovered a transparent hard plastic case with foam in my nightstand, originally housing a Beanie Baby coin. I replaced it with the German coin, ensuring its perpetual safety. To this day, that coin still resides in my nightstand within the same protective case.
On another occasion during our visits to my Great Grandparents, I sought permission to ask my Great Grandpa a couple of questions about the war. Driven by the awareness that no one lives forever, I ventured into the living room to record his responses. This episode transpired during my middle school years, and the following is a photo of that note:
Additionally, he told me of harrowing incident when he was driving a vehicle that suddenly exploded. The details escape me as to whether it resulted from a landmine or another type of explosive, but regrettably, it claimed the lives of everyone in the vehicle except him. He expressed the profound difficulty of that moment, mourning the loss of good friends and grappling with survivor's guilt.
Another poignant revelation he shared was his intense hatred for war. He described feeling psychologically manipulated, a sense of being brainwashed. Recounting lunches amidst piles of bodies became a chilling testament to the desensitization they experienced. The normalization of death, a coping mechanism during active duty, left an indelible mark on him post-war.
Now, in my adulthood, my passion for delving into history has expanded further. My frequent visits to Estate Sales reflect my quest to rescue WWII items from being discarded. Additionally I engage in WWII reenacting with a dedicated group of enthusiasts who share a profound commitment to remembering this era as well. Despite my attempts to research Stan's service, the lack of additional information limited my findings. Determined to uncover more, I reached out to the local VFW in Albany and, to my surprise, I was able to obtain a copy of his discharge paperwork:
In reading Section #32, I came to the realization that all those locations marked the path of the 1st Infantry Division, famously known as the Big Red One. This division played a crucial role in some of the bloodiest and most significant battles of WWII. When I became the next steward of my Great Grandfather's photos and war mementos in Spring of 2023, words could not describe the honor I felt and what it meant to me. Acquiring these artifacts revealed the fact that my Great Grandfather was indeed a member of the renowned Big Red One, intimately involved in some of the most notable battles of World War II.
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I created this website to honor my Great Grandfather and share his incredible story with all family members, regardless of where they live. It is my unwavering goal to uncover as much information about Stan's service as possible, and I hope to compile a complete story of his service soon.
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- Nicole Livering
Stanley Lester Sime