Local students researched Monroe County soldiers killed in World War II

MONROE COUNTY – Learn about 17 soldiers from Monroe County who died in France during World War II from July to December 1944.

Students in Adam Sakel’s “World at War” class at Airport High School have been researching the men for a month-long exhibit that just opened at the Monroe County Library System’s Ellis Library & Reference Center, 3700 S. Custer Road in Monroe.

“These kids really did a great job,” said Jenn McCarty, Ellis sales manager.

The exhibition focuses on Pvt. Samuel J. AlbanoCpl. Arthur E. BernittPvt. Harold BrockwayPfc. Lawrence B. ChesneyPfc. Raymond F CookPvt. Ora H. cranePvt. Leo F. Duvall, Pvt. Max D. EdmondsonPfc. Howard L. GarrettPvt. Elvin E. HartmanPfc. Martin JasasS.Sgt. Edward H. McAfeePvt. Joseph J. Mignano Jr.Pfc. Gordon A. NavarrePvt. Wilson Eugene PetersLt. William J. Ready and Pvt. Joseph J. Trpelka.

Another exhibit from Sakel’s 2017 class is on view through Nov. 25 at the Petersburg Branch Library, 60 E. Center St. in Petersburg. “From Detroit to Berlin” is about eight Monroe aviators who flew against Nazi Germany.

To gather information, Sakel’s students visited the Monroe County Museum and Reference Center in Ellis. They looked at historical documents, high school yearbooks and city directories.

“Students work with historians and archivists in various states to collect information and retrieve census records and military documents from numerous digital collections. “The class is currently awaiting microfilm of the Monroe Evening News from the Library of Michigan so they can better understand how Monroe County changed during the war,” Sakel said.

At the end of the semester, each student creates a website highlighting his/her Soldier.

“We are currently seeking funding to create a portable exhibition so that students can share their work with a wider audience. If successful, the professionally produced “Invasion & Pursuit” exhibit would be completed and displayed before senior graduation in June, Sakel said.

Anyone with photos, letters or documents related to the 17 Monroe soldiers in the new Ellis exhibit can contact Sakel at AHS at 734-654-6208 or [email protected]. Original items will be digitized and returned.

Sakel has taught social studies for Airport Community Schools since 2010. In 2022, he was named Michigan History Teacher of the Year.

“This World at War course is unique because year after year I see how the past becomes personal for students,” said Sakel. “Each student begins with the name of a stranger. To begin their research, students pull out small pieces of evidence and try to make meaningful connections. They reach dead ends. As time passes, the research topic fades and a person is revealed – a past suddenly has greater meaning and relevance and students begin to consider the general issues of security, technology and the obligations each of us has to those around us, to deal with.

In 2015, Sakel’s class produced an exhibit similar to this year’s, “Monroe in Normandy.”

“The focus was on six Monroe soldiers who took part in the invasion of Normandy. The exhibit is currently on view at Ellis Library through November 25th, Sakel said.

The next year, AHS students worked with Britain’s Imperial War Museum to create biographies of American World War II airmen for the museum’s digital archive.

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at [email protected].