A personal memoir and history

It Was Our World War Too

by Thom Kolesa

From grade-school friends, to high-school sweethearts, to husband and wife for 72 years. This is a story about Thom and Anita’s love for each other. They shared a similar heritage, survived the Great Depression, and carried the burdens of World War II together.

It certainly was their world war too.

At the time of writing, Thom was ninety-two. Anita would have been ninety before her death. Anita died on November 2, 2014, at 89. Thom died on January 4, 2021, at 96.

Anita helped build gliders used during the D-Day invasion in France and B-24 Liberator bombers used in the European and Pacific theaters. Thom served as a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant during the invasion, battle, and securing of Okinawa.

They are interred at the Louisiana National Cemetery, 303 W Mount Pleasant Road, Zachary, Louisiana — Section Col-A, Row W5, Site E14. The inscription on their niche reads: FOREVER TOGETHER.