World War II Medic, Richard Berkey kept a journal in spite of rules against doing so. Years later, his daughter, Karen Berkey Huntsberger used the journals, along with letters she found in the basement of her childhood home, to author a book about his experiences. Waiting for Peace chronicles Richard’s years of service and subsequent decision to become a pacifist.
Richard Berkey was studying to become a medical doctor at University of Indiana when he was drafted in 1941. He became part of the 14th Armed Division that was known as “The Liberators” for its success in uncovering forced labor camps and freeing many Jews. In December 1944, Richard Berkey was wounded and sent home with a Bronze Star. He became a minister for the Disciples of Christ Church and later served in the Church of the Brethren.
Karen Huntsberger’s journey to learn about her dad’s years of military service began in 1995 when her mother transcribed all of her husband’s war journals. After both of her parents passed away, Karen found a treasure trove of letters in two large bins in the basement. She used these documents to begin piecing together the chronology of her father’s war experiences. Like most who served in the war, Karen’s father didn’t talk about it when she was younger. “We don’t get to know our parents at the age of 22,” said the author. “If you know someone who served in WWI, talk to them before they are gone.”
A few years ago, Karen and her husband traveled to Germany and France to retrace her father’s footsteps and complete research for the book. She noted that there are some 220,000 people buried in graves around the world; casualties of WWII.
Waiting for Peace is available at Amazon.com.