The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library hosted a heartwarming and significant historical event on June 27. Jiri Kluc, a Czech historian and researcher, joined forces with two World War II veterans to share their experiences and preserve their stories for future generations. 

Kluc's Mission to Preserve WWII Veterans' Stories

As time passed, fewer WWII veterans were alive, underscoring the urgency of recording their firsthand accounts. Kluc is on a mission to immortalize these stories. His dedication to this cause brought him to Iowa, where he meticulously documented the narratives of the last remaining WWII veterans, not only those of Czech descent but all American WWII veterans.

Kluc shared that he had spoken to a veteran who had never previously shared his story and emphasized the necessity of preserving these stories for future generations. His commitment to this cause is clear: these voices, which have remained silent for too long, must be heard and remembered.

In his Facebook post, Kluc expressed his honor at speaking about war heroes. The event featured two Czech-American pilots aged 101 and 99. The event was so well-attended that not everyone could fit in the hall. Kluc emphasized his happiness that the gathering successfully paid respect to WWII veterans.

The event at the museum was a significant milestone in Kluc's project. The highlight of the evening was a traditional Czech ceremony, where Kluc and the veterans "christened" his book, currently in print, by pouring beer over it. This symbolic act is believed to bring good fortune and sales to the book.

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A Tribute to Major Ervin Hoida

Kluc's book explores Major Ervin Hoida's life, the last Czechoslovak veteran of the 1940 Battle of France and the entire Western Front campaign. Hoida passed away in February 2024 at 105 near Liverpool, England.

After the war, Hoida returned to Czechoslovakia but could not find work without joining the Communist party, prompting his return to the UK with his family. His wartime achievements were only recognized in the Czech Republic after he turned 100.

In November 2023, Kluc celebrated Hoida's 105th birthday by delivering a book of Hoida's memories and hundreds of birthday wishes from supporters. Kluc has published Hoida's memoirs in Czech, receiving excellent feedback and nearly selling out.

Kluc started a fundraising campaign, which is completed as of this writing, to translate the book into English so Hoida's family could read it and share the story of this exceptional Czechoslovak hero with the English-speaking world. Kluc believes it is essential to remember and honor Hoida's bravery.

Championing WWII History and Holocaust Survivor Testimonies

Apart from his writing and research career, Kluc leads a Prague tour company and serves as a guide. Born and raised in the Czech Republic, Kluc has a deep passion for 20th-century history, especially WWII.

Recognized with national awards for his literary contributions, Kluc graduated from Charles University Prague and is pursuing a Ph.D. focused on the history of Czechoslovakia and Central Europe. His research is dedicated to preserving the testimonies of Holocaust survivors and war veterans, aiming to ensure their stories endure for future generations.

As Kluc continues, he aims for more untold stories to enrich our understanding of the war and its survivors. His book promises to be a valuable addition to historical literature, preserving the voices of those who served for future generations to learn from and honor.

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