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By Donna Newell

Eugene and Helene’s wedding photograph
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Kocher1.jpg.optimal.jpgEugene and Helene’s wedding photograph

The troops coming home.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Kocher2.jpg.optimal.jpgThe troops coming home.

This is the story of my parents Eugene and Helene Kocher.

My dad brought my beautiful Mother from Marseilles, France. My Dad left for World War II and was a military policeman in the army. He was in France during the southern invasion of France. He met my mom and during a time of war and anger he romanced her on the Mediterranean Riviera.

They were married in Marseilles. After the war was over the troops were sent home on a troop boat and then the war brides were sent later.

My mom came over on the Queen Mary. She traveled from Marseilles and then to Germany to leave on the boat. I can’t even imagine leaving my country, not talking a lot of English and leaving her parents and a 13-year-old sister. She was the toughest lady I ever knew.

She arrived in New York City and Ellis Island in 1947. She then took a train into Wilkes-Barre where she was met by family. She lived with my grandparents at the Sandy Bottom area near Harveys lake. She later moved to Larksville Mountain on a farm.

My mother was helped by the church and a teacher from the lake area to learn English. She learned how to drive and had four children while living there. She became a citizen of the United States also.

When I was 6 months old they bought the house in 1953 in Dallas. My dad used the veterans to do schooling for mechanics and became a truck driver. They then had their fifth child.

My dad sponsored my grandparents and my mom’s sister to come over to the United States. It took him nine years to get them here. They too came over on the Queen Mary. They worked in the sewing factory for 10 years but never became citizens. They bought a house in Kingston. I could go on and on and hope to write a book. They left a beautiful legacy of faith, hope, and living the American Dream. My parents have passed on now to eternity but will always be across my heart.