107-year-old WWII veteran from Wisconsin recalls 80th anniversary D-Day trip to Normandy
WHITEHALL, Wis. — In the town of Whitehall, Wisconsin there lives a man known for his positivity and politeness.
His name is Reynolds Tomter. And even at 107-years-old, he still looks forward to lunchtime.
"He has a good appetite. They also give him all the options," said John Spencer, Tomter' friend.
As they should. A full stomach for Tomter means a full array of stories.
"I was born in 1917 on the farm. No electricity, no water," said Tomter.
Norwegian was actually his first language as a kid. Tomter grew up near Pigeon Falls, got married, worked at a general store, and on the day of his daughter's baptism, his brother-in-law delivered some devastating news.
"He said Pearl Harbor just got bombed! And, holy cats!" Tomter recalled.
Tomter enlisted in the Merchant Marines where he became a baker on his ship and a back-up gunner. He was stationed in Brooklyn, New York when he realized just how close they were to the war.
"There were already German subs all in that area," said Tomter. "I said you have to be kidding. No, they're right here."
Tomter made five white knuckle trips across the Atlantic to Europe, each time wondering if German U-boats had them in their sights.
"You could expect one anytime. You had to go into it with that in mind," said Tomter.
He returned to Pigeon Falls after the war and never thought he'd go back to Europe. But just before the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June, he got a letter in the mail, inviting him to Normandy. The letter also informed him that he's the oldest living Merchant Marine in the world.
With help from American Airlines and his son Bud, Tomter and about 70 other World War II veterans spent nearly two weeks in France. He was selected to lay the wreath on a monument at one of the ceremonies and he got to meet Steven Spielberg at another event. Tomter was also the oldest veteran on the trip by 5 years.
"We had an overwhelming welcome. I got put on a pedestal every place we stopped. And we got surrounded by French people wherever our unit stopped," said Tomter. "They looked you square in the eye, and they said thank you."
Normandy is also where he met 101-year-old Les Schrenk of Bloomington. Schrenk was a POW during D-Day and the two veterans became fast friends, even though Tomter is older by 6 years.
"Yes, he's a whippersnapper. He's my close friend. Very close friend," said Tomter. "He is a hero. The definition of a hero."
The two men have even gotten together since they met overseas.
"And these humble human beings testimony, and first-hand experience. For them to consider it to be a trip of a lifetime, for me, that's really special," said Spencer.
Tomter still gets out and about. He was driving up until about three months ago. And even after that, he used a golf cart to get around town.
But these days, he mostly stays close to home. Still, memories of serving his country, and memories of Normandy, are never far from his mind.
"That's the highlight of my life. Making this trip to Normandy," said Tomter. "It's really something. What an honor."
Tomter and Schrenk have talked about getting together again in Wisconsin or Minnesota. Tomter did want to thank his fellow veterans, and American Airlines, for making that trip so memorable.
