Emporium Rotary Club
On June 2nd, Rotarian John Rogers brought his brother Paul Rogers to both speak about their uncle Thomas E. Rogers.
Over the years, multiple members of the Rogers family researched the history of their family member, flight officer Thomas E. Rogers.
One day, John reached out and received a letter from the grandson of the man who witnessed Thomas' P51 being shot down.
The man, Vladimir Agoston, recounted that his grandparents were out in the field harvesting corn when an American aircraft was shot down and the pilot ejected on the morning of September 8, 1944 in Muszlya, Hungary.
The pilot was Thomas, and sadly his parachute did not have enough time to open fully as he was too close to the ground, and he passed on impact.
Vladimir recounted that German soldiers threatened anyone who dared touch or bury the body.
That did not stop Vladimir's grandfather and two local priests from sneaking to bury the body in the night and using pig blood to trick the soldiers into thinking that the body had been drug into the woods by animals.
Locals came and chopped up most of the aircraft for parts to use and sell.
Vladimir's grandfather took the engine and the propeller which he used to make knives and also melted down to make a stove for his wife.
Thomas was listed in the book of the dead, along with his photo in the town that he passed away.
After the war, Thomas' remains were retrieved and sent back to the USA, where he was laid to rest in the Arlington National Cemetery.
Many of you likely recognize this unique plane and the photo of Thomas from the memorial painted on the side of the Emporium VFW.
We thank Thomas and all of our other fallen heroes for their sacrifice.
Pictured from left to right is John's son Mark Rogers, brother Paul Rogers, wife Barb Rogers, and sisters Helen Zimmer and Sara Kamman.
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