Many people honor the sacrifices and achievements of combat veterans. But the horrors they experience can get overlooked, especially as many former service members don’t talk about their experiences.
But as more veterans of World War II reach the end of their lives, many people are trying to preserve their stories and experiences. One of them is Louis Baczewski. In June 2015, Baczewski bicycled more than 700 kilometers, following the path of his grandfather’s armored division, which doggedly fought its way through Europe during the war.
Louis J. Baczewski, better known as “Louch,” grew up in Pocahantas, Illinois, and ended up surviving the Battle of the Bulge, which claimed nearly 20,000 American lives.
The younger Baczewski created “Path of the Past” to tell the story of his grandfather’s service in Europe during some of the heaviest days of fighting in the Western front. The film focuses less on the American victory and more on the costs to service members. It is based on Baczewski’s book "Louch.”
Baczewski, writer and director of “Path of the Past,” joined Monday’s St. Louis on the Air to talk with host Sarah Fenske ahead of a free screening of the film at the Soldier's Memorial in downtown St. Louis at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17. The Battle of the Bulge began 75 years ago this week.
Listen to their conversation:
The film can be rented online at this link, and is also available via a subscription to Valorous TV (enter promo code POPRE12 to get 25% off an annual subscription).
Related Event
What:'Path of the Past' documentary screening
When: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019
Where: Soldiers’ Memorial Military Museum (1315 Chestnut St., St. Louis, MO 63103)
“St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is hosted by Sarah Fenske and produced by Alex Heuer, Emily Woodbury, Evie Hemphill, Lara Hamdan and Tonina Saputo. The engineer is Aaron Doerr, and production assistance is provided by Charlie McDonald.
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