Anderson, Harold

Drafted in 1942 sent to Camp ADAIR in Oregon to Co. K 413 Inf. 104 Inf. Division. The end of August 1944 we were shipped to New York for overseas duty. We landed in Cherbourg France. After more training and clearing mine fields we were sent to the Belgium border and drove the German troops from Belgium and Holland. I continued to fight in Europe and experienced the gratitude of the people we freed. We captured the city of Cologne on the Rhine River in Germany, and after crossing the Rhine River we captured more cities and towns. The city of Nordhausen we experienced the horrors of the concentration camps. The war came to an end and we were shipped back to New York and then to California to go to the Pacific. Fortunately the war ended and I was discharged and arrived home (Bethpage) on November 30, 1945.

Harold passed away in his home in Palm Coast, Florida, on May 14, 2009, at the age of 87. He was interred at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida. The below information was sent to the CPHS by Harold's family.

Harold was born in Central Park/Bethpage and lived there until 1991 when he moved to Florida.

Harold was a founding member of the Bethpagians, a big band orchestra in the 1930's and 1940's, and played the trumpet.

He served with the 104th infantry Division Timberwolves in World War II during the liberation of Germany. On his return to Bethpage, he was a founding member of the Butehorn Brothers VFW Post 4987.

For many years after the war, he and his brother Raymond ran the family business, Anderson Brother's Florist, on Central Avenue.

Harold also served with distinction in the Bethpage Fire Department for 35 years. He was Captain of Ladder Company 3, 1965-66. He also completed a term as Honorary Deputy Chief.

He was an antique car owner and a member of the Long Island Model T Club. Harold won numerous awards at car shows in New York and Florida for his Model A and Model T Fords. Harold also loved Ford Mustangs, and until his death, he drove a restored 1966 Mustang, often turning the heads of people much younger than he was. Harold was a rare coin and stamp collector with extensive collections of both, and also held a private pilots license.

Harold has three children, Sue, Kenneth and Robert.

Harold's Obituary sent to CPHS by his family follows:

Harold W. Anderson died in his home in Palm Coast, Florida, on May 14, 2009, at the age of 87. He was interred at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.

He was born in Central Park/Bethpage and lived there until 1991 when he moved to Florida.

Harold was a founding member of the"Bethpagians", a big band orchestra in the 1930's and 1940's, and played the trumpet.

He served with the 104th Infantry Division Timberwolves in World War II during the liberation of Germany. On his return to Bethpage, he was a founding member of the Butehorn Brothers VFW Post 4987.

For many years after the war, he and his brother Raymond ran the family business, Anderson Brother's Florist, on Central Avenue.

Harold also served with distinction in the Bethpage Fire Department for 35 years. He was Captain of Ladder Company 3, 1965-66. He also completed a term as Honorary Deputy Chief.

He was an antique car owner and a member of the Long Island Model T Club. Harold won numerous awards at car shows in New York and Florida for his Model A and Model T Fords. Harold also loved Ford Mustangs, and until his death, he drove a restored 1966 Mustang, often turning the heads of people much younger than he was. Harold was a rare coin and stamp collector with extensive collections of both, and also held a private pilots license.

Harold is survived by three children: Sue Anderson of Asheville, NC; Kenneth Anderson of Edmonds, WA; Robert Anderson of Winchester, VA, and one grandson Kyle Anderson, also of Winchester.