Thom Kolesa
Throughout his life he was many things, a child, a teenager, a husband, a soldier, a father, a grandfather,
a great grandfather, a friend and utmost of all, a remarkable example of how one should try to live their life.
He influenced many people on his journey, always in a better way.
I'm sure many of them have felt as I have, that I would never achieve the stature and significance of his life,
but it gave me the target to strive for, and I have done the best I can.
He documented his life journey into writings, each recording different aspects of his experiences.
Drawing from his earlier writings he compiled this life story into a book entitled "It Was Our World War Too".
He sold many copies of this book, but was always quick to give his book away to other veterans or their survivors. He went to places where
he could find veterans and where he could donate his time and effort to this cause.
Before he passed, he expressed his wish to make this book available for free to veterans and their survivors,
which in part is the reason for this site.
The book can be read here: IT WAS OUT WORLD WAR TOO
Please consider making a donation to one of the many good veterans charities. If you don't have a favorite of your own, below is a link to a list
of many good ones.
Search for Veterans Charities
In his school days, Thom wrote his first book (never published) titled "Great Artists of World Recognition"
Anita Kolesa
Excerpt from Thom's writings:
I was a second grader when Anita came into my life. She was a first grader. We went to the same school. Her niece, Verna Mae, was my classmate until we graduated from high school. That means we had a good 'contact' person as well as a good 'chaperon'.
Things were rather normal until Anita moved into our neighborhood. We did the expected things, like walked to school with the crowd. Soon we walked as a couple. I even carried her books. Sometimes we even held hands.
We went sleigh riding, ice skating, took long walks and enjoyed each others company.
Our friendship developed into a serious relationship. Within a few months we were engaged and in several more months we were married.
Never, not even for an instant did either of us consider we were not made for each other.
I was eighteen, Anita was seventeen. Many said, "It won't last". They were right. It ended last week but only on this earth. We will always be together!
What kind of Mother was she? Just look at Tim and Leslie and those of you that knew Scott and you will have no trouble in answering that question of how good a Mother she was.
What kind of a daughter was she? Anita took care of her mother for over thirty years. Her mother moved in with us when her dad died. That's the kind of daughter Anita was.
What kind of daughter-in-law was she? Anita and I both had jobs and she bought a leather coat with a mink collar. My mother liked it very much.
One day after being out shopping together my mother told Anita how much she liked the coat but could never afford to buy one. Guess who went home with that coat? That's the kind of daughter-in-law Anita was.
Because we got married before she finished high school, Anita wanted to get her diploma. She went directly to the Superintendent and asked him for his advice. He suggested that she should start where she left off and attend classes. Anita took off her high-heels, put on bobby-socks and graduated. This high school drop-out, with three children went on to college at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville then to St. Louis University for her masters. When I suggested a doctorate she said it was time to start paying back.
In the midst of our early married life there was a war going on and we had to be separated. While I was in the Marine Corps, she didn't sit and mope. Whenever possible she came to live near my station so we could be together.
That's when she took jobs in defense plants. Anita helped build gliders that were important in the closing days of the European Theater fighting. Later she worked as 'Rosie-the-riveter' helping build the heavy bombers that helped bring the Pacific Theater war to an end and get me back home.
What kind of wife was she? You have just read a few of the hundreds, no, thousands of reasons why I think, no, why I know, we were perfect for each other.
"Amen."
Did Anita do the WW II bit just because of me? Sure, but she didn't stop there. While we were living in Philadelphia, celebrating the bi-centennial, she took time to travel to Korea to escort a plane load of orphans that had already been adopted by United States parents.
She did this as an employee of Philadelphia Travelers Aid. Her flight to Seoul, Korea had a lay-over in Tokyo. 'Anita' made it to Tokyo. 'Thom' didn't.
When we were back in New Orleans, she worked at Travelers Aid again. They had asked her to come back. They loved her and the work that she did.
After the Vietnam war, she worked with the refugees that were at Indian Town Gap. She did more than just help them get settled. She hosted family gatherings with their sponsors.
Wait, there's more. Back to Philadelphia, March 15, 1977, "The Ides of March". This is serious stuff. Anita and three of her Travelers Aid staff were held hostage over night by a mental patient, wielding a switchblade knife. One of the staff was pregnant and the hostage taker concentrated on her, threatening to cut her throat if the police came, then pressing the knife against her stomach and the baby. He took a swipe at Anita but missed.
Anita told reporters she thought it was time to be brave or die. She became the aggressor and took the knife away from him.
Disarmed, he panicked and everyone screamed. The police came storming in and took over.
Where was I? They had called me and I was observing from the room below.
One of the reporters, wrote, "Mrs. Kolesa seemed calm enough after the episode was over as her husband made her a cup of tea."
A Television reporter called Anita, "A gutsy Grandma".
Anita received a phone call the next day from first Lady, Roslyn Carter regarding her successful handling of the hostage situation.
They also discussed the need for additional funding for treating mental patients.
Between then and now there were many happy events that created new memories as Anita and I continued on our road to Eternity.