Veterans' Day

Daryl Mast
Nov 07, 2024
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While many folks will honor loved ones on Veterans’ Day…I will not. Don’t get me wrong, I respect and honor anyone who puts on the uniform to serve our great country. But my life experiences may be different than some.

I did not grow up in a military family. Most of my family and ancestors were Mennonites. Actively participating in any branch of the military was discouraged. Mennonites generally took to position as a Conscientious Objector. The government provided other opportunities for COs to serve. Things like conservation, education, health care, etc. The stories I hear from my extended family are not typically based on military service.

There was a draft during World War II. And if I have my facts straight, some farmers were exempt from the draft. I guess someone had to stay home a grow food. My Great-grandfather, Christian Zook Mast (aka CZ), was working our family farm in those days. He also, by the way, had contracted polio as a child and most likely would have been excused from service even if he was not a farmer or Mennonite.

By the summer of 1945, the US had created some prisoner-of-war camps on US soil. One of these camps was in Berks County.

One of the stories that has been passed down to me is summed up in the picture below. German POWs from Berks County were taken out to local farms to work during their incarceration. CZ, my Great-grandfather, is sitting on the bottom left of the photo. It was said that the young soldiers enjoyed their time working on the farm. It reminded them of home. It was also said that CZ became friends with many of them.

So, to all those who have served, whether by showing kindness to the prisoner or by shouldering a weapon in defense of our beloved country…Thank You!

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