ON VETERANS' DAY: A tale of two reunions, 1944 and 1997 (11/16/97)

ON VETERANS' DAY: A tale of two reunions, 1944 and 1997

by M. P. Kusen

Over 50 years ago during World War II, two American soldiers of Ukrainian descent had a chance meeting in a little town in eastern France. They were in different military units that just happened to converge on the same small town at the same time. When they met they smiled, embraced and spoke Ukrainian to each other. It was a little respite from the harshness and daily drudgeries of the war. But more than that it was a minor miracle, because they were brothers, William and Steve Kusen from New York City.

William and Steve Kusen grew up together in uptown Manhattan on Madison Avenue along with their brother Joseph Kusen who served in the Pacific.

William, the oldest, was drafted into the Army first, on March 28, 1941. Shortly thereafter, Steve was also drafted into the Army, and Joseph was drafted into the Army Air Force.

William was assigned to the 152nd Signal Company of the 12th Armored Division - a tank corp nicknamed the "Hellcats." William reached the rank of technical sargeant as a radio repair specialist. His unit crossed the English Channel in early November 1944 and established an assembly area in Auuffey, France, by mid-November. The Allied military forces were moving swiftly across France, and in early December the Hellcats had reached a staging area for an offensive into Germany. It was the town of Luneville in the province of Lorraine, about 100 miles from the Rhine River and the city of Strasbourg, Germany. And it was there that the two brothers met.

William and Steve Kusen hadn't seen each other for more than two years since they both had furloughs in New York. Now, it seemed like a gift from fate that these two brothers should have this chance meeting just before the Allied forces final assault into Germany. And the two brothers made the most of their time together in Luneville. Their reminiscing was enhanced by their singing as William played the mandolin, and they even managed to find and share a kovbasa. Yet, unknown to them, Hitler was about to put up his last ferocious attempt to defend Germany. The German High Command was planning the "Ardennes Offensive," or as we Americans came to call it, "The Battle of the Bulge."

Fortunately, both brothers survived the final days of those European battles. And remarkably all three brothers came home uninjured and were noted for meritorious service. William was additionally awarded three bronze stars.

After the war each brother resumed his civilian life and eventually each married and had a family: William had a son and two daughters, Steve had two sons, and Joseph had three sons and two daughters. They were living the American dream amid postwar prosperity - each eventually bought a home and moved away from the congested city apartment life in which they grew up. But as they uprooted themselves, they also drifted apart. Over the years, their children (10 cousins) grew up barely knowing each other. And with the passing of time, one by one, the brothers died: William in 1967 in New York City; Joseph in 1981 on Long Island, and Steve died just four years ago in Fayetteville, Tenn. With Steve Kusen's death, the last paternal link for the 10 cousins was gone.

But perhaps another minor miracle could happen for the Kusen family, like that chance meeting in Luneville, France, all those years ago. And that is what did happen when Elisha Kusen (son of Steve) picked up the phone to try to find his cousin Michael (son of William). Elisha grew up in Tennessee where he still currently lives with his wife and son. In mid-March 1997 Elisha was in New York City on business when he'd decided to try to find out if Michael was still living in New York. After a few calls and messages Elisha's hopes were answered when Michael returned his call.

"Hello," Elisha said in a slight southern accent.

"Is this Elisha Kusen?" Michael asked.

"Yes it is."

"My God," replied Michael, "I haven't seen you since you were about 8 years old. I have a vague memory of you running around in my mother's yard. How old are you now?"

"Forty-two," Elisha answered.

"You're 42, I'm 50. I can't believe how much time has gone by."

The reminiscing went on, and the next day the two estranged cousins had lunch together in a Brooklyn restaurant. That's when Michael learned that Elisha had also contacted their cousin Peter, the eldest son of their Uncle Joseph.

Peter lives in Newark, N.J., with his wife and three children. Peter had invited Elisha to his home that Saturday. And from Peter's invitation an impromptu cousin's reunion began to form in the next few days as Peter contacted his brothers and sisters.

On Saturday, March 15, Peter Kusen and his wife, Patty, hosted a cousin's reunion filled with stories and questions and the full dynamics of a family rediscovering itself after so many lost years. There was laughter and a new generation of children running about and the exchanging of photos and addresses. There was talk of recording the family history and invitations and plans for other gatherings. It is a very heart-warming experience to rekindle the feeling of belonging to an extended family. After such a long absence, to look into the faces of cousins and see the resemblance of deceased uncles and aunts creates a tender bond. I know because my name is Michael Kusen, and the next reunion was at my house.

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