Meet Jake, a WWII Vet and let’s see some War Nickels and Steel Cents

SiriusBlack

I want you to all know Jake Larson. Jake was at two important events, D-Day and The Battle of the Bulge. Jake is also the self described happiest man in the world! I met him at the Planes of Fame Airshow in May.

Jake was fascinated by my old film camera (Rolleiflex 2.8f for the camera nerds here) and told me all about the one he had in the war. It is long gone, but the important fact was he had someone take a portrait of him and a Jeep. He sent the photo home where it got printed in the local newspaper. A girl saw it and said, I’m gonna marry him. Well, she did!

When Jake was telling me his stories and explaining why he’s the happiest man alive I mentioned to him that I wasn’t so good at that and wished I had more happiness. He quietly asked me to come closer, placed his hand on my shoulder and started rubbing it while telling me he hoped some of his happiness would rub off on me. I was speechless of his kindness and I admit the eyes might have been leaking a bit.

Due to a cluster#### ( I think that’s the proper military jargon) in Washington, all of Jake’s military records were lost. As such, the military would not pay for him to go to Normandy for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day last month as they sometimes do. Luckily several ladies in his home town took it upon themselves to start a go fund me campaign and enough money was raised that he did in fact get to go back for the first time since the war. If you search for him online you’ll find several news interviews from his trip!

I know this isn’t exactly a coin related post, but I wanted to share my photo and introduce you all to Jake anyway so to keep this tenuously relevant, let’s see some War Nickels and Steel Cents made as a result of the war effort to help Jake and all those that went with him!

kbbpll

My steel cents are replated but here's to Jake.

shortnock

Thanking SSgt. Jake Larson for his service. Sirius...Looks like you shot the photo with your Rollei..about F4.0.

SiriusBlack

@shortnock f2.8 I believe

CircCam

Great story, thank you for sharing.

Smudge

@SiriusBlack said:
@shortnock f2.8 I believe

Face, tack sharp, shirt a bit soft. Looks 2.8 to me.

oih82w8

Swampboy

mannie gray

Thanks for sharin g, @SiriusBlack .
Jake seems like a great gentleman to befriend.
I hope you can keep in touch with him.

leothelyon

It's been quite an honor to have been acquainted with a few WWII veterans (including women) over the years through my lawn service.

Bullsitter

Nice story, thanks for sharing.

CommemDude

The great sacrifice made by these men and women 75 years ago continues to provide us the freedom to pursue our dreams today.
We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

Twobitcollector

Twobitcollector

Elcontador

Thanks for the story of Jake. I ran for most of my life, and for a number of years, thrree of the guys with whom I ran every week were WW II vets. Two were also at the Battle of the Bulge, and the third gentleman was in the Pacific Theater. None of them are still with us. Please treasure whatever time you can with Jake. Not many of his generation are still around.

AUandAG

Here's Don and his jeep during WWII. (My father in law, perhaps he knew Jake?). Both E-6's
bob

Peace_dollar88

"The greatest generation!"

I sure miss my grandpa! thanks for sharing.

ricko

Salute to SSgt Jake..... Great story and representative of the greatest generation....Cheers, RickO