by Mark Bellinger
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A family Bible carried through World War II has been returned almost 70 years later.
Sometimes things have a way of correcting themselves. During World War II, a Tennessee veteran was killed carrying his Bible. For nearly 70 years his family never knew it even existed. Now, it's back in Middle Tennessee in the hands of the soldier's family in Putnam County.
The Bible was part of another soldier's belongings in Maine. It was discovered by his daughter this past year. After some research she called the soldier's cousin in Cookeville.
Kenneth Simmons received the Bible in the mail just before Christmas. Simmons spoke to NewsChannel5 from his living room in Cookeville.
"I couldn't believe, I just couldn't believe that it turned up like that," said Simmons.
He said he's still amazed. The special family Bible is more than just an heirloom. The copy was signed by President Franklin Roosevelt.
The pocket edition was carried by Kenneth's cousin James as he prepared to fight the Nazi's in World War II. James was like many young men who needed a lot of faith to go off to war.
"All of them that I've talked to, they said a lot of prayers lots of times, yes." Simmons said,
His cousin was just 19 years old when he boarded a B-24 Bomber for Europe. The plane never made it.
"He was killed April the 8th 1944," he explained.
According to the Commercial Appeal newspaper, the plane blew up in midair near Millington, Tennessee. There was one survivor, but nine servicemen, including James, died in the crash.
Someone must have found the Bible in the wreckage, but for some reason they never sought out its rightful owner. Now, the Simmons family has it.
Kenneth Simmons is also a World War II and a Korean Veteran. He understands like no one else how special this copy of the good book is.
Simmons said the Bible looks perfect. Except for a couple of yellow pages, it's as good as new. It seems almost divine.
"Mm, it's just I don't know. It's just one of these things you wonder about," said Simmons.
Now, future generations of the Simmons family can cherish it.
Future generations of other families will also get to see this piece of history. Simmons has decided to donate the Bible to a Veteran's Archive in Cookeville. That archive is open to the public.
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