Genesis Member Allan C. Jackson Featured in Televised Series on World War II Veterans

Genesis member Allan C. Jackson, who served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant during World War II, will be featured in "Utah World War II Stories: The Homefront," the fourth in a series on Utahns who fought in World War II, on KUED TV (Channel 7) on December 7 at 7 p.m. An interview with Brother Jackson was also featured in the first part of the series, "The Struggle," in which members of the "Greatest Generation" recounted their experiences from Pearl Harbor to the Doolittle Raid. Click here to read a transcript of the full interview, in which Brother Jackson discusses experiences unique to him as an African-American soldier. "Utah World War II Stories" is a stirring landmark series in four parts. In the series, Utahns tell some of the greatest stories of their lives in "The Struggle," "Europe," "The Pacific," and "The Home Front." Utah sent more than 70,000 troops to war—to the jungles of Asia, the mountains of France, the air over Berlin, and the waters of the Pacific to battle the forces of tyranny and reclaim freedom. More than 3,600 never returned to tell their stories. Those who did carry with them a sense of pride and unfailing humility. In telling their stories, the veterans often well up with emotion. Events from more than a half-century ago remain fresh in their minds. For many, the memories were too painful to recount even with family members. “It took a good 50 years before I could talk to my kids or to anyone about my experience in the war and there are many I’m still not talking about,” said one veteran from Holladay. “My kids would look at the pictures and ask what happened here and we’d briefly talk about it, but that’s it.” One veteran from Salt Lake City told his stories at the urging of his children who wanted him to leave a legacy for his grandchildren. “When I started actually talking about my experience, my load started to drop,” he said. “I do anything I can now to get the word out, and I wish others would do the same,” said a veteran from Bear River City about the experience of telling his story. “Let’s face it. Basically, we’re dying at a thousand men a day now. We’re just not going to be here very long.” “KUED is proud to bring these powerful battle front and home front stories to light for future generations, so the sacrifices will not be forgotten,” says General Manager Larry Smith. For more about the series, click here.