August 1, 2023

José Schindfessel, member of the Belgian 17th Rifle Battalion, veteran, hero and liberator of the city of Pilsen, passed away 6 years ago.

José Schindfessel, member of the Belgian 17th Rifle Battalion, veteran, hero and liberator of the city of Pilsen, passed away 6 years ago. He was an active participant in the Belgian resistance (Secret Army, A.S.) joining the US Army after the Battle of the Bulge with the Belgian 17th Rifle…

More info

October 26, 2023

Happy 120th Heavenly birthday to the Pilsen born colonel and RAF pilot Karel Balík

Karel Balík was born in Pilsen on October 25, 1903 . He went to basic school in Pilsen, then trained as a mechanical locksmith. He was a co-founder of the West Bohemian Aviation Club Plzeň, where he obtained his aviation diploma with his brother Jaroslav. He worked as a transport pilot for twelve…

More info

November 11, 2023

Pilsen observed Veterans Day today

At 11 a.m. Pilsen observed  Veterans Day and the 105th Anniversary of the end  the First World War. The armistice of WWI was signed  in a train car in Le Francport near Compiegne. In the Czech Republic, this important day has been commemorated since 2001. This day is dedicated to the…

More info

November 14, 2023

Happy heavenly 100th Birthday to the belgian veteran, friend and liberator Louis Gihoul

In Pilsen, Liege and Holýšov we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of our friend, liberator, veteran and member of the 17th Rifle Battalion, Louis Gihoul. Louis Gihoul was attending the Liberation Festival Pilsen on a regular basis. Together with two other Belgian veterans Albért Gelis and Arthur Otto, he…

More info

November 27, 2023

Happy Heavenly 99th Birthday to Lt. Virgil P. Kirkham, the last recorded American USAAF pilot killed in Europe during WWII

Happy Heavenly 99th Birthday to Lt. Virgil P. Kirkham, the last recorded American USAAF pilot killed in Europe during WWII. It was Lt. Kirkham’s 82nd mission and one that he volunteered to go on. Virgil Kirkham was born in Troutdale, Oregon, a member of the 377th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter group, 9th Air…

More info

November 30, 2023

Happy Heavenly 99th Birthday to Glynn G. Raby, WWII veteran, liberator of Pilsen and southwest Bohemian and the honorary citizen of Rokycany

Happy Heavenly 99th Birthday to Glynn G. Raby, WWII veteran, liberator of Pilsen and southwest Bohemian and the honorary citizen of Rokycany Glynn passed away this year in June. Lest we forget!

More info