Today (March 7) in 1945 John Gapen crossed the Rhine River, using Ludendorff Bridge

I am reasonably sure that either today (March 7) or tomorrow in 1945 John Gapen (see photo) crossed the Rhine River at Remagen, Germany, using the damaged but still passable Ludendorff Bridge.  He said his unit passed through Ludendorff Bridge under German fire on the second day of Allied control.

John passed away at age of 95 last May.  He was our neighbor and friend of thirty some years. He was the hero of the Battle of the Bulge. Remagen 1945: End Game against the Third Reich (see photo below) was his book.  It is fitting to say he and his Greatest Generation finished off Hitler for us.

He is still on our thought and talk often, especially on day like this.