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Show 14 ST. GEORGE — For the week of October 3, 2008 NEIGHBORHOODS WWII buff seeks out stories of POWs BY BOB HUDSON bhudson@thespectrum.com ST. GEORGE — Marianne Ayers is both a collector and a historian. She is searching for stories of men who were prisoners of war during World War II. “Growing up I didn’t know — what all was involved except that dad had been a prisoner, said Ayers, who moved to St. George with her husband Dave in March. They have owned their home here for several years. : I'm just so thankful there are men who are willing to do things (to protect the nation). Hopefully we never forget.” — When those who survived the prison camps came home, they didn’t talk much about their experiences, Marianne Ayers local historian Ayers noted. One of the things that some did do, however, was celebrate Liberation Day, the day the Allies freed them from their captivity. Ayers said after World War II her father and the husband of one of her mother’s good friends learned they had been imprisoned in nearby camps. The families celebrated Liberation Day on a regular basis. As she grew older, Ayers realized someone needed to collect the stories of these warriors. She started with her father, and gathered all he had that told of his trials and triumphs. Her father, Arthur Robert Dinndorf, had 150 letters he The Spectrum — www.thespectrum.com Pet of the week had sent and received during the war. “How dad managed to bring those back is pretty amazing, Ayers said. »He also had a journal he had kept in pencil during his 601 ire of captivity. The first time I read it, it was definitely heart-wrenching; Ayers said. One thing that kept the prisoners of war going during their captivity, Ayers said, was family love. “If you knew there was someone who loved you, you get past some of the physical deprivation’ Once she had gathered eSee POWS on pg. 19 Submitted Better Vision with: Miss Winnie is a lovable young cat with beautiful eyes and face. She was a stray who took up residence in a garage in Winchester Hills and had two babies who did not survive. The people who owned the property were highly allergic and so she could not stay there. She is very good with other cats and wants a forever home. Call BAM at 435-635-3037 or write to admin@becauseanimalsmatter.com to meet Miss Winnie. Don’t forget our adoptathon on the third Saturday of each month _ at Petco in Washington City. * No Stitch Cataract Surgery * Custom LASIK * ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) ¢ CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) * Glaucoma and Laser Surgery . Cosmetic a Free and Facial Surgery B 0 Mis wee HIE ee Call ae for your FREE screening! 656-2020 or 866-466-2020 or visit Eye Institute www.ZionEye.com fi iB — 8} ai Ties ag) 3] pel euiaae eke ae |