06/06/2026
More than eight decades ago, American troops — armed with the ideals of freedom and democracy — set off towards the beaches of France to liberate Europe from tyranny. In the days that followed the initial invasion, one of the men who arrived was my grandfather, Jack Hertel. During combat, he was wounded and eventually sent back home to recover.
Once back in Michigan, my grandfather put away his medals and did not share much about his experiences on the battlefield. He instead chose to live a quiet life as a son, as a father, and as a grandfather — trading in his army fatigues to attend Wayne State, earn his college degree, and become a public school teacher.
Though he chose to keep his memories of combat quietly close to his heart, his service and his devotion to country was imprinted on his sons and his grandchildren — inspiring generations in our family to live a life dedicated in service to the public.
As we remember D-Day and the many men and women who served our country, we honor not only their courage on the battlefield, but also the lives they built afterward and the values they passed on. May we continue to carry forward their legacy by defending the freedoms they fought so bravely to secure.
