In an innovative educational initiative, history students from St. Croix Falls High School in Wisconsin have delved into the past to forge connections with World War II veterans, Bill Bennewitz and Harlan Rosvold. This connection was made possible through a collaboration with National History Day and the Veterans Legacy Program at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The National History Day organization, a non-profit aimed at enhancing history education, offers the Silent Heroes program, which allows students to research and commemorate American soldiers’ lives. As part of this program, students write detailed accounts and present them as eulogies at military gravesites.
On April 8, students from Marley Hoefs’s history class participated in this program by presenting eulogies at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their focus was on “Untold Stories of U.S. Marines in WWII,” funded by the Veterans Legacy Program in honor of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary.
Honoring Unsung Heroes
St. Croix Falls students meticulously researched the lives of Marine Corps veterans Rosvold and Bennewitz. Capt. Bill Bennewitz, who joined the military on June 30, 1942, served with the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMF-24 and received numerous commendations, including five air medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He passed away at 96 on July 1, 2019. His eulogy was delivered by students Brodie Allram, Alex Hoff, and Carson Marks.
Cpl. Harland Rosvold, who died on March 7, 2023, a day after his 98th birthday, served in the Second Amphibious Armored Division during World War II. His service included participation in the pivotal Battle of Iwo Jima. Rosvold’s eulogy was presented by Oliver Bauer, Jacob Binverse, Daniel Hanson, and Liam Rochford.
The ceremonies were attended by family members, an honor guard, and local media, adding special significance to the students’ experience. “Veterans like Bill and Harlan need to be remembered for generations,” said teacher Marley Hoefs to Military.com.
Educational Impact
Lynne O’Hara, deputy director of National History Day, highlighted the educational benefits of the program. It encourages students to connect with history and understand the contributions of ordinary individuals during wartime. “It makes them realize how much ordinary people contributed to the war effort,” O’Hara noted.
The project required students to go beyond digital tools to find primary sources, offering a lesson in resourcefulness. “Believe it or not, there is a lot of useful information you can’t find on the internet,” O’Hara explained.
Ken Holliday from the National Cemetery Association emphasized the program’s role in teaching valuable skills and honoring less-known veterans. “By doing so, we honor the legacies of these Veterans while also providing unique opportunities for students to learn lessons and develop skills through the research they conduct,” Holliday stated.
As students engage in these commemorations, they form connections with veterans through their research. “In almost all these ceremonies I will hear students say that they felt like they had established a real connection with these veterans,” Holliday reflected.
The Silent Heroes program, since its launch in 2016, has significantly grown, aiming to reach more classrooms and tell the stories of veterans interred across 157 cemeteries nationwide. “We’ve been able to work with many organizations over the years that have allowed us to work in communities across the country,” Holliday added, highlighting the program’s expansion and ongoing goals.
