D-Day Defined Him

Sgt. Harold F. Folkema served in World War II. He was inducted into military service on August 25, 1943, and joined active service on September 15, 1943. He received an honorable discharge on November 20, 1945. He was part of the European Theater in the 1^st US Army, 1^st Division, Company D, 16^th Infantry, 214^{t h} Battalion. He landed in the first wave on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, under the command of General Omar Bradley.

The writing in this book is based on his memory and recollections of his time during World War II; from the time he was drafted to his discharge. Also included are memories and stories from shortly before and after his military service. His wife, who was home with a baby and working in a defense factory, offers insight into life about the Homefront. 

Most of his military memorabilia has been lost, damaged, or tossed out over the years. His wife said, "It was a hard time, it wasn't a time we wanted to remember, so we didn't save many reminders".  

Barb Jourdan has spent more than 35 years learning about her dad's journey during World War II as an infantry man in the U.S. Army, 1^st Division, 16^th Infantry. She is a Human Resource professional in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has owned her own business, Human Resource Potential, for over 25 years. She has been motivated to tell her dad's story to document it for current and future family members as well as help others to understand what war was like. 

She lives in East Grand Rapids Michigan with her husband Dennis Kellermeier. They have one son, Gregory, a daughter-in-law, Anna, and a grandson, Gardner. Barb and her husband love to travel and have been to more than 35 countries and most U.S. states.