EP09: Special 80th Anniversary D-Day Tribute To My Grandfather & WWII War Hero & Veteran

“The older I get, the more I see the significance and importance of our military, of those who protect us in combat. My grandpa was one of those who fought for our freedom,” reflects Scott Asmar. In this episode, Scott shifts from his usual discussions on midlife reevaluations to pay tribute to his grandfather, John, a World War II paratrooper. The episode’s timing is meaningful, aligning with the 80th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, where John played a vital role.

Joining Scott is his uncle Eric, who has dedicated himself to preserving John’s legacy. Together, they explore John’s journey from his modest beginnings in Phoenix, Arizona, to his courageous service in the 82nd Airborne Division. Eric recounts gripping stories of John’s bravery during battles across Europe and the personal challenges he faced after returning home. How did John manage the psychological toll of war, especially in an era when PTSD wasn’t fully understood? The conversation uncovers the delayed recognition of his heroism and how he coped with the aftermath of war.

Scott and Eric offer a touching reflection on the lasting impact of war and the importance of honoring veterans like John. Despite the horrors they endured, these men retained their humanity and compassion, leaving a legacy that deserves to be remembered.

Quotes

• “A lot of young people grow up looking to sports figures or movie actors as role models. For me, it was very simple. The only person I looked up to and idolized was my dad. He was just an awesome father, and I loved him tremendously.” (05:57 | Eric Prieto)
• “People don’t realize that my father was a very nice man, personally. He was a kind guy who would help anyone in trouble. For him to fight in the war—let’s face it, when you fight in a war, your job is to kill people—was totally against the fabric of who he was. Yet, he was willing to do that because of his love for his country and his family.” (15:57 | Eric Prieto)
• “The stress of fighting in a war is stressful enough, just being there is stressful enough. But to have to actually kill people, that is where the traumatic syndrome comes from, is the act of killing other human beings.” (22:01 | Eric Prieto)
• “Here’s a man who, through it all—the killing and seeing his comrades killing—still managed to show a little mercy to some people who were surrendering to him, to his prisoners. Despite having orders to kill the prisoners, he refused to do that. It shows that he refused to surrender his humanity. And I think that’s the part that stands out the most to me.” (27:09 | Eric Prieto)

Links

Connect with Scott Asmar:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottasmar5/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm