Steve Appleby, curator of the Eldred WWII Museum in Eldred, Pa., pictured at Wednesday’s discussion. P-J photo by Carly Gould

“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

This quote is what Steve Appleby, the curator of the Eldred World War II Museum in Eldred, Pa., left the audience with during his presentation at Jamestown Community College’s Scharmann Theater on Wednesday. The presentation was organized by the Fenton History Center.

Eleven World War II veterans sat in front of the stage, introducing themselves and stating what part of the Armed Forces they were in and when they joined. Up on stage was a collection of some of the items that came from World War II, which Appleby showed off during his presentation.

“People think World War II is ancient history,” Appleby said. “But these vets behind me are proof that it’s not. There are still people who lived through that war. There are kids who don’t even know what WWII stands for.”

Appleby related to the audience how he used to look up to the soldiers of the military as a child.

He said after learning about World War II, he wanted to join the U.S. Army. He eventually managed to join the Green Berets.

“Although they (the veterans) hate being called heroes,” he said, “I can see them as nothing but. These brave men risked their lives so you can have freedom of speech and freedom of education. We are lucky to be born here.”

Appleby described the three things citizens can do to honor U.S. veterans and what they’ve fought for. The first, he said, is to respect the National Anthem and the American flag. He said a lot of people fight and struggle to come to America and enjoy the freedoms we take for granted.

The second is just to thank a veteran for their service.

“I remember I was at a gas station, wearing my Army veteran hat,” Appleby said. “A young man, around 16, came up to me and, after a moment of just staring at me, said ‘I just want to shake your hand and thank you for your service.’ I walked away in tears, I was so moved. We can receive all the medals in the world, but the greatest gift is being thanked by someone and knowing you’re in someone’s thoughts.”

The third and most important way to honor veterans, Appleby said, is to be the “best we can be.” He mentioned a boy he met in central America, who wished to go to school and become a doctor, but was resigned to being a dirt farmer since the nearest school was 400 miles away.

“Soldiers died so people they’ve never met could have the freedom to be whatever they want to be,” Appleby said. “How much you want it? How are you going to work to get that dream job? Lots of kids I grew up with settled for one job out of high school and never left. Do something with your life. Reach your full potential. Reach your dream. We’ve been given the opportunity to do so by all the soldiers throughout history to keep us free and safe.”