World War II Veteran and POW, Gene Metcalfe, the subject of Left for Dead at Nijmegen, will be at the PenCraft Awards on Jan 20 2020 at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino

HOUSTON, Dec. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The PenCraft Awards committee is excited to announce that Gene Metcalfe, World War II Veteran, POW, and the subject of the biographical book Left for Dead at Nijmegen by Marcus Nannini will be our honored guest at the 3rd Annual PenCraft Award dinner and ceremony held at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

There aren't many World War II veterans left to tell a firsthand account of how they fought and endured unthinkable hardships but Gene Metcalfe is one. The fact that he survived to live a productive life is a testament to the bravery, unbelievable sacrifices, devotion, patriotism, and tenacity of "The Greatest Generation."

Gene Metcalfe was a paratrooper who was wounded and captured by Nazis during Operation Market Garden. He was mistakenly left for dead by his comrades and then discovered and taken prisoner by Nazis. He was interrogated by the notorious Nazi Heinrich Himmler. A few days later, at great personal risk, he picked-up a paratrooper who'd been machine-gunned by the Nazi guards at Stalag XII-A, defied their orders to return to his tent and carried the heavily bleeding paratrooper Elmer Melchi to the Hospital for immediate care. 50 years later Melchi would finally locate Metcalfe to thank him. The reunion was broadcast on national television.

Later, he was forced to endure a journey of five days and nights to "Stalag VII-A" in a boxcar lacking food, water, and bathroom facilities. During his trip to the prison camp, he witnessed men dying in the boxcar. He was finally freed when his camp was liberated by American troops in April 1945.

In September 2019, The Netherlands government brought Gene and his wife to Nijmegen as highly honored guests to take part in the annual Market Garden Remembrance memorials.

On January 18, 2020 with the support of a gracious donation from Mike Fuljenz, President of Universal Coin & Bullion, Gene Metcalfe and his wife Paulette will be flown from Phoenix, Arizona to Houston, Texas to meet individuals from the PenCraft Awards. They will escort him to the Book Nook Inn in Lumberton, Texas to enjoy an evening with event organizers, and his Biographer Marcus Nannini.

Stacie Hearne, the owner of Book Nook Inn, said, "I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to have the chance to meet Gene and also to thank all the brave and wonderful men and women, past, present, and future, who wear the uniform, be it Army, Navy, Air Force, United States Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or the National Guard. We live free because you serve."

On the following day, Gene and his entourage will travel to the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino for a two-night stay. On Monday night January 20, 2020, he will be a guest of honor at the PenCraft Award Dinner and Ceremony.

There have been numerous volunteers to help make Gene's trip a success. It is very fulfilling to know that we have individuals who will travel the length and breadth of the country to thank and honor people whose acts and life have become inspirations to us all. In fact, Mike Fuljenz stated, "It is a privilege to be able to honor a veteran with such an incredible life story. He endured unthinkable hardships but remained resilient and unbreakable in will and spirit. I look forward to meeting Gene Metcalfe to honor him and help keep his legacy alive."

David Hearne, a PenCraft organizer said, "It is particularly humbling to be involved with such a project at a time when society has become so polarized, but can find common grounds to take a break from their differences and come together to honor a hero."

Fuljenz said, "There are few things better to do with your time than to help fulfill the legacy of men like Gene Metcalfe. My company, Universal Coin and Bullion, has made it a policy to being involved with supporting our men and women in uniform from making it a priority to hiring veterans, to raising money for the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and giving back to heroes like Gene. I was humbled by the praise given by retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Nicholas B. Kehoe for our support of his very important Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. His words made it clear how important it is to support those who gave so much for all of us."

The PenCraft Awards' Competition is an annual event with the purpose to help foster the promotion of new authors and books to the reading public. Monetary awards are given to the top three winning authors. The PenCraft Award Dinner and Ceremony is a celebration of the literary excellence of the previous years' winning authors. The event is held at different locations each year. This year the PenCraft Awards' Dinner and Celebration is hosted at the luxurious Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino. For individuals who would like to know more or attend the celebration and meet Gene Metcalfe and our 2019 year's winning authors attending the function please contact David Hearne at 409-656-4625.

SOURCE PenCraft Awards