WWII Veteran Nate Ericson Keeps History Alive Through Model Making

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Nate Ericson, a 102-year-old World War II veteran from Lawrence, Kansas, is keeping history alive by sharing his wartime experiences and passion for building model airplanes. Ericson fought in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the deadliest campaigns of WWII, and has spent decades since the war building model planes, even winning a competition in 2010.

Why it matters

Ericson's story serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and horrors of war, as well as the importance of preserving history through personal accounts and creative hobbies. As fewer and fewer WWII veterans remain, Ericson's willingness to share his experiences is invaluable for educating younger generations.

The details

Ericson was born in Topeka in 1924 and enlisted in the Army after attending the University of Kansas for three months. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, a major German offensive that lasted from December 1944 to January 1945 and resulted in about 19,000 American casualties. In the decades since the war, Ericson has mostly declined to share his story, but he now believes people need to be reminded of the realities of war. In addition to his wartime experiences, Ericson has spent time building model airplanes, and in 2010 he won first place at the Jayhawk Model Masters building competition.

• Ericson was born in Topeka in 1924.
• Ericson enlisted in the Army after attending the University of Kansas for three months.
• The Battle of the Bulge lasted from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945.
• Ericson won first place at the Jayhawk Model Masters building competition in 2010.
• Ericson just turned 102 years old.

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