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Episode #634 of Hometown Heroes, airing June 25-29, 2020, focuses on events that were unfolding 75 years ago this week on and around the island of Okinawa. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump issued this message about the 75th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa.

“We pause to remember the more than 12,000 American heroes who perished in that monumental struggle,” the president wrote. “And pay tribute to thousands of service members who were instrumental in the forces of freedom emerging triumphant.”

This episode features the memories of two men who were part of that effort. First, you’ll hear from Bill Mills, a Navy veteran who survived the June 21, 1945 kamikaze attack aboard the seaplane tender USS Curtiss (AV-4). Powerful memories of the land battle at Okinawa come from 1st Marine Division veteran Dale Anderson, who brought back a unique memento from the island, always reminding him of the grim realities of war.