George M. Hickey with his wife Jose and daughter Bertha Ann at five years old.
The official certificate: George M. Hickey, Purple Heart recipient.
Thinking about family and history I wrote a lot about my family and friends and stories about my connections to many who were a big part of my life. My dad and mom, siblings and grandparents played a major role in my life and the connections were loving and stories to remember. However, the most important connection is with a person I never had the opportunity to meet and get to know. He was the father of Bertha Ann Hickey (Mom) and he gave the ultimate sacrifice giving his life for freedom during World War II. George M. Hickey was a family hero which I did my best to recognize, remember and thank him for giving the ultimate sacrifice.
Another way of remembering our hero was to always use Veterans Day as a time to remember my grandfather. As the heroes of the “Greatest Generation” slowly fad away, it is our responsibility to give honor to them at every chance we can. I was elementary school principal at Wallenpaupack Primary School. They had a Veterans Wall which was fading and looking shabby. I decided to take the time to update the wall which had local veterans from our school district. The project turned out wonderful and still stands today. I did add a picture of my grandfather to the wall.
While remembering my grandfather and his sacrifice I can’t forget the sacrifice my grandmother Jose, my great grandmother, George’s mother (Nana) and my mother (Bertha Ann) had to make when George died. Also my Aunt Georgene who was born after the death of George. They also are hero’s and sacrificed so much with this tragedy. My hope is that my children and my nieces and nephews will always remember our family hero — George M. Hickey who gave his life for their freedom.
Anthony Cavallaro
Matamoras