HAGERSTOWN, MD - A local Veteran decided to honor his comrades in a unique way by restoring a World War II rifle.
Dieter Protsch says his story goes beyond country borders.
Protsch grew up as a "Hitler Youth" in Germany, received para-military training and then became homeless at 13-years-old.
"I was in the basement and a bomb hit nearby and there was nothing left except the chimney," says Protsch.
He fought for the Germans in World War II.
"We were all fanatics, let's face it," says Protsch. "We believed in Germany, and everything we were doing, except when the War started there was a different story then. Nobody wanted to fight the War, for what?"
Protsch then immigrated and fought for America during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
"(The Army) said, why don't you go and join the family back in the States and the army's your new family," says Protsch, who wasn't a U.S. citizen yet. "I felt so proud to be almost like an American."
Now a member of the American Legion Post in Hagerstown, Protsch says he wanted to give back in a different way.
To pay tribute to Veterans, Protsch and a friend restored an artillery rifle. It was first used in the Second World War, so he dedicated it to a WWII Veteran.
Members have surrounded the gun with flags to honor Veterans.
"I've been blessed to have a good crew to start restoring stuff around here. It's here as a trophy for Veterans," says Kevin Poole, Commander of the American Legion Post 42 in Hagerstown.
An act to remember all Veterans and now a community fixture for years to come.
Dieter Protsch says his story goes beyond country borders.
Protsch grew up as a "Hitler Youth" in Germany, received para-military training and then became homeless at 13-years-old.
"I was in the basement and a bomb hit nearby and there was nothing left except the chimney," says Protsch.
He fought for the Germans in World War II.
"We were all fanatics, let's face it," says Protsch. "We believed in Germany, and everything we were doing, except when the War started there was a different story then. Nobody wanted to fight the War, for what?"
Protsch then immigrated and fought for America during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
"(The Army) said, why don't you go and join the family back in the States and the army's your new family," says Protsch, who wasn't a U.S. citizen yet. "I felt so proud to be almost like an American."
Now a member of the American Legion Post in Hagerstown, Protsch says he wanted to give back in a different way.
To pay tribute to Veterans, Protsch and a friend restored an artillery rifle. It was first used in the Second World War, so he dedicated it to a WWII Veteran.
Members have surrounded the gun with flags to honor Veterans.
"I've been blessed to have a good crew to start restoring stuff around here. It's here as a trophy for Veterans," says Kevin Poole, Commander of the American Legion Post 42 in Hagerstown.
An act to remember all Veterans and now a community fixture for years to come.
