Reading, MA — Join the Reading Historical Commission for a compelling talk, A WWII European Tour, with former resident Vernon Chandler. Mr. Chandler will discuss the multi-country journey through Europe he took to trace the footsteps of his first cousin, Pvt. Kenneth Miller, who was killed in Germany in 1944.
Kenneth was only 19 years old when he died. Despite the best efforts of his mother, Annie, his remains were never recovered.
Mr. Chandler was so deeply moved by Kenneth and Annie’s story that he took a two-week World War II, 1800-mile driving tour of Europe in September 2022. This tour included visits to 6 American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries and many historic WWII sites in Paris, Normandy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria.
On his trip, Mr. Chandler uncovered information about Kenneth and his unit, the 743rd Tank Battalion. He was also able to locate the place where the tank-on-tank battle occurred, which took Kenneth’s life on October 18, 1944.
Mr. Chandler will also share the stories of his visits to the WWII graves and memorials of other Massachusetts soldiers, including some from Reading.
Mr. Chandler has prepared a multimedia historical presentation, which he will give on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 1 PM in the Community Room at the Reading Public Library (64 Middlesex Avenue).
Mr. Chandler believes his once-in-a-lifetime experience is only meaningful if he shares it with others.
