Irving Locker talks about D-day, Battle of the Bulge and Concentration Camp liberation

On Wednesday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m., Chabad of North Orlando is honored to host Irving Locker at Nate's Shul ,1701 Markham Woods Road in Longwood, for a special presentation of his remarkable journey. This event is an opportunity to hear firsthand from a true hero who has spent his life ensuring that the sacrifices of the greatest generation are never forgotten.

Irving Locker, a name synonymous with courage and resilience, was one of the 156,000 soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, landing at Utah Beach. Just six months later, Locker, at the age of 19, had already risen to the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 116th AAA Gun Battalion of the 1st Army's 7th Corps.

In the bitter winter of 1944-1945, Locker found himself in the harsh conditions of the Ardennes Forest in Belgium, where he would take part in the legendary Battle of the Bulge. Surrounded on three sides, without food, ammunition, or supplies, he faced unimaginable challenges. "When we went into the Battle of the Bulge, they had us surrounded on three sides. We didn't have ammunition, food, or anything. I had to send my own sergeant into our own mortuaries where our own dead people were and take the boots and clothing off of them to bring back," Locker recalled.

But it wasn't just the battlefield that would leave a lasting impact on Locker. He was among the soldiers who helped liberate the Gardelegen Concentration Camp, about 100 miles west of Berlin. The horrors he witnessed there would stay with him for the rest of his life.

As Locker's unit reached Berlin, a symbolic moment occurred. He took a swastika flag from a wall and had some of his comrades sign it. This flag remains one of the many mementos he holds from his time in the war.

After the war, Locker returned home and built a life with his sweetheart, Bernice. Yet, he couldn't forget the history he had lived through, nor the importance of passing it on. For over eight decades, Locker has shared his story, giving PowerPoint presentations and speaking at events everywhere - from elementary schools to the White House. He has made numerous YouTube videos, always ensuring that the memories of the war and the Holocaust are preserved for future generations. He even returned to Normandy to commemorate the 70th and 75th anniversaries of D-Day.

"Too many people have no idea what we experienced," Locker said. "It's important to me that this story is told after I'm gone, so people don't forget."

Despite his extraordinary experiences, Locker maintains a humble and humorous attitude. Standing at just 5'2", when asked how he survived the war, Locker responded with a smile, "I stood behind a tall guy."

Don't miss this chance to hear his story-an unforgettable testament to bravery, survival, and the importance of remembering our past. RSVP and more information www.JewishNorthOrlando.com/Lecture or 407-636-5994.