WWII soldier’s duffel bag returned 7 decades later

[cali]

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — A World War II veteran who served in France during the war has been reunited with his Army-issued duffel bag nearly seven decades after it went missing.

William Kadar, 92, opened a carefully wrapped package Tuesday at his Merrillville, Ind., home and found his drab green duffel bag inside, still stenciled in black with his name and serial number. Kadar last saw the bag used by soldiers to tote their gear in November 1944, a month before he was captured by the Germans.

A letter included in the package said the bag was being returned by a 16-year-old French boy who found it in his grandfather’s house.

“It’s still in good shape. Oooh, boy. Well, I finally got it,” Kadar told the Post-Tribune (http://bit.ly/XjCiwa ) for a Wednesday story.

<snip>

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/wwii-soldiers-duffel-bag-returned-7-decades-later/

[Victor_c3]

1. I wonder what was in it

I read the full article and it seems that the guy doesn't remember much about his war experience (probably for the better, in my opinion). I have a big foot locker that I filled with stuff from when I was in Iraq. I can't even bring myself to open it up. I have notes and maps from various things that I did. I know that I have some various odds and ends that I bought from some Iraqis when I was over there stuffed in it.

It'll probably be a treasure trove of stuff for an interested family member and I to go through when I finally can bring myself to dig it out. I have a lot of issues regarding what I did in Iraq and what I want my kids and family to know. Part of me wants them to know, but I'm scared shitless of the idea of them thinking that I was some sort of hardened killer when I was over there and I've been pushing really hard to make sure to never mention anything about the Army, the war, or any connection of me to a war and the Army with them.

I guess I have a lot of things to take care of before I can talk war to my kids.

[cali]

2. I hope you have someone you can talk to about these things that trouble you so

if not, you might want to consider availing yourself of the help out there for vets like you.

Good luck and may you find a measure of peace.

[bigtree]

3. my father-in-law had a box like that

. . . never did show the contents to the kids in the family.

You're on the right track thinking of settling your own war-filled mind and reconciling all of your experiences with yourself, first. Glad you are here, Victor.

[Sunlei]

5. couple words and never enough. I am so grateful for your service & sacrifices. Welcome home

[MADem]

6. Useful link.

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/

[Bigmack]

7. I had very few things that I brought back from Vietnam..

.. and nearly 4 years of overseas duty.

A few years ago I went thru the box again.

Most of the stuff was small, inconsequential items that had a lot of significance at the time.

Memories....

In 30 years, I'll bet your box will be the same.

Peace, brother.

[Sunlei]

4. pretty cool the French boy thought to return the bag and that Kader 92, is still here to have it. :)

[jwirr]

8. What memories that must have stirred. I remember putting my uncles Korean War things in a special

bag and asking him if he wanted to open them before his daughters saw them. They were loaded up in a van and left unopened for many years. I remember the saddened look on his face when he finally opened it.