Re: WW II Ex-POWs Share with Students

Date: April 29, 2004

"WWII vets, POWS share experiences with students
By JOE PARMON-Telegram Staff Writer

ILION - Sixth graders at Barringer Road Elementary School in Ilion got a history lesson Tuesday they won't soon forget.

A pair of World War II veterans, Myles Sinnott and Nelson Pardee of Ilion, spoke to the students in the school cafeteria about their experiences during the war that included both men being shot down from their planes and taken prisoners of war by the Germans.

SHARING EXPERIENCES - World War II veterans and former prisoners of war Myles Sinnott and Nelson Pardee of Ilion talked to sixth graders at Barringer Road Elementary School yesterday about their wartime experiences. The program was the culminating event of the students' studies of World War I and II. Here, from left, student Colin Blydenburgh presents a pair of paperweights, created by the students and bearing the POW/MIA logo, to Pardee and Sinnott at the close of the program. Telegram photo/Joe Parmon

The veterans were welcomed by banners the students created in their honor, along with a special song they sang toward the end of the presentation. They were also greeted by a host of questions from the enthusiastic students, who were particularly interested in their experiences of being taken prisoner.

Sinnott, who spent several months as a prisoner as did Pardee, explained about having to bail out of his plane by parachute, landing on his stomach and rolling over in an effort to survive the impact. The Germans were right there to take him in, Sinnott told the students.

The veterans also answered questions that ranged from how they prepared to become gunners with the Army to what kind of food they ate. The men also had a chance to show the students some memorabilia from their wartime experiences, including medals, photographs and newspaper clippings.

"The students were spellbound," said sixth grade teacher Lori Barr.

The students came up with the idea to bring the veterans to the school to present a program after they finished up a study unit on World War I and II.

"They were thoroughly involved with the topic and were very inquisitive, asking question after question," said Barr of the students' eagerness during their studies. "Many kids are choosing World War I and II books from the library as their free choice. It's my hope that hearing this (the veterans speaking) will only expand their interest."

As another outgrowth of their interest in the topic, the students started their own wall of honor, bringing in pictures and information about relatives who served in a war. The display, which Barr said is growing every day, will stay up for the rest of the school year.

Barr added that learning about their relatives' military service, along with the program yesterday, has served to personalize for the students the sacrifice and contributions of our war veterans.

"It's really brought it home for them," said Barr.

©Herkimer Evening Telegram"