Skip Berger

Thursday morning, I had breakfast with local veterans Skip Berger and Alfred Katzenberger. Berger was instrumental in rescuing the WWI bronze medallions (see photo for examples) from being locked away perpetually in storage. Katzenberger is a member of the Jefferson Barracks Chapel Association, a group that is working to establish a permanent display at the chapel for the medallions. I had planned to take pictures of the event, but I forgot my camera. Luckily, Mary Morgan, a reporter for the Java Journal, was kind enough to allow me to use her photo for this entry. She wrote a couple of excellent articles that tell the story of Berger's quest to honor these veterans:
http://www.javajournalonline.com/archive_200805/index_8.php
http://www.javajournalonline.com/articles/art_ww1_112008.php
Of course, the men and women represented on these medallions died a long time ago and nothing will change that, but they risk being forgotten. Essentially, Berger and others have rescued the memory of these people. As Berger put it: "These men deserve to be remembered". I never would have researched Ulysses Tebbs, if I hadn't been inspired by his medallion. Many of the medallions, including Tebbs', are currently on display at Jefferson Barracks (Old Ordnance Room). Also, Berger and his group have a great website http://www.stl-lestweforget.org/ that details their mission and how to donate to the memorial fund.