For decades, the story of Sergeant Harold Schaefer remained a painful chapter in his family's history, frozen in time within a dusty basement closet. His niece, Barb Bernhardt, grew up with only fragmented memories and unanswered questions about her uncle, who was lost during World War II. This is the story of how a long-overdue resolution came to light, thanks to the relentless efforts of a dedicated family and a German battlefield recovery expert.
A Family's Heartfelt Struggle
Barb's family had kept a treasured letter from December 1944, written by her mother to her brother, Staff Sergeant Harold Schaefer. The letter, discovered by Barb in her mother’s desk, spoke of a Thanksgiving dinner overshadowed by concern for Harold, who was stationed far from home. Despite the holiday cheer, the empty seat at the dinner table was a painful reminder of his absence.
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