Living history: 106-year-old British WWII Veteran visits school
(WOODLAND PARK, Colo.) — The halls at Merit Academy buzzed with anticipation as vibrant posters and streamers filled the halls. Students from every grade eagerly awaited the arrival of Dr. Monica Kinneman, an extraordinary 106-year-old British World War II Veteran.
“I think she might be the oldest living British World War II veteran in America,” said Mark Schaefer, History teacher at Merit Academy.
A police cruiser led the way with sirens blaring to inform students and staff of Dr. Kinneman’s arrival. Inside, both students and staff were determined to make this moment unforgettable, ensuring that their gratitude for her visit resonated throughout the school.
“When Mark told us that Dr. Kinneman would be able to join us and everything that she has done and all the milestones that she’s experienced, we just knew that this was a big deal,” Gwynne Pekron, Headmaster of Merit Academy, said. “We wanted our kids to be able to see history in the making and hear her thoughts and [her] will and all of the things that we try to embody here.”
For Dr. Kinneman, this moment took her by surprise, as she waved out to students and smiled at hearing her name chanted throughout the halls.
Schaefer, who played a pivotal role in organizing this school visit, couldn’t contain his joy. He said, “How do you prepare somebody for such a warm welcome? There’s no way.”
Following the special welcome, Dr. Kinneman was able to share her personal experiences along with the challenges of fighting in WWII with students.
“I think I said that when I was in the ranks for five months,” Kinneman said. “Then it was finding out the height the Germans were flying at, the speed they were flying at, and the direction if they’re coming overhead or if they were going. As an officer, I gave the orders to fire and cease loading, when they’re out of range.”
For students, this was a chance to further comprehend the complexities of war and to recognize the profound impact that history has on those who are fighting in it.
“Well, it absolutely shows these kids that history is not just writing on a paper, it’s experienced,” Pekron said. “She tells us all of the experiences that she has, and World War II was huge, it was a make-or-break war, and she experienced it, she was a part of it. She is truly one of our unsung heroes here.”
Sharing her past with these students further highlighted the significance of America’s involvement in the war and underscored our country’s efforts to help Great Britain.
“Oh, it was wonderful, it really was, this was a saving grace, really,” Kinneman said. “We couldn’t have done it without the Americans, and we always will be grateful for that.”
Having such an important guest walk the halls of Merit Academy and share first-hand accounts not only encourages students’ appreciation for history but also highlights the importance of our nation’s past.
“They have a primary source in history,” Schaefer said. “They have one of the last of the surviving greatest generation and they get a chance to meet this woman, talk to her, hear her experiences, and listen to what she had to say.”
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