Mon Mar 15 2010
by Amanda Harnocz
Reporter
Tallmadge -- Just before his grandfather passed away, Christopher LaHurd told him he would never forget him. Now, his memory will live on eternally in the pages of LaHurd's first published book on his grandfather's experience during World War II.
"I guess this book was a way for me to keep his memory alive," said LaHurd, who was born in Tallmadge and currently lives in Chicago.
His grandfather, Akron-native Daniel Elias LaHurd, passed away in 2005. Shortly after his death, a large box of war letters, journals, documents and photographs showed up on LaHurd's doorstep.
"After he passed away, my grandmother was going through his things and sent them to me," said LaHurd. "These war materials, which had been hidden deep in my grandfather's closet, became the foundation and inspiration for the book."
The book, entitled "A Story of One: Walking the Path of a World War II Airman," took about three years to finish, LaHurd said.
"My hope was that this very personal, singular story would in some way make real the stories of all the other soldiers who fought or are fighting in wars past and present," he said. "I wanted to make sure the individual soldier was never forgotten in the sterile numbers attempting to measure a war, for those individuals are the catalyst of the outcome."
The book includes 60 unedited war letters, 25 photographs and other information from the box given to LaHurd just after his grandfather's passing.
"I had asked my grandfather many questions about his military days and had received only very brief answers, followed by a quick change of subject," he said. "Most of my questions were answered with one word or 'it was no big deal,' 'just doing my duty,' or with tears in his eyes, 'those were good men, good soldiers.' He never gave me anything more than that."
Despite the lack of conversation on his experience, LaHurd combed through all of his grandfather's things in the box and was able to put together his story.
Although Daniel isn't here to read the book, and "he was never one to seek attention for his service, I know he would be proud of my effort."
The book will be available in local retailers and at www.amazon.com this winter, but it is currently available at www.chrislahurd.com.
LaHurd noted he would like to write more books in the future.
"I plan to donate some of the book's profits to charities that align themselves with veterans, disabled or wounded servicemen and military families," he said. "I know [Daniel] would have agreed with that gesture because he was a very giving man."
LaHurd is holding a "meet the reader" at the Nervous Dog Coffee Bar in Akron, 1530 West Market Street, Nov. 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
E-mail: aharnocz@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3911
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