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World War II Veterans Share Stories on Veterans Day via Live Stream

Albert “AI” Fraind, Mathias “Matt” Gutman and Harry Hebig discuss experiences

World War II veterans Albert “Al” Fraind, a Corporal with the U.S. Army, Mathias “Matt” Gutman, a Chief Petty Officer with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserves, and Harry Hebig, a Petty Officer 2nd Class with the U.S. Navy Air Corps, will discuss their personal experiences of military service during World War II on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. live from the Terrace at Phoebe Allentown, and streamed for free via SteelStacks’ Facebook page and steelstacks.org, Phoebe Ministries’ Facebook page and phoebe.org, and Embassy Bank’s Facebook page.

“Coffee & Conversation: Reflections by World War II Veterans,” moderated by Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and head of Lehigh University’s Veterans Association, Frank Gunter, will spotlight the featured veterans, neighbors, and friends – who meet daily for coffee – and will invite viewers into an intimate look into their conversations and reflections of their service during World War II.

The SteelStacks’ Veterans Day event is presented by Embassy Bank and Phoebe Ministries and made possible through a partnership between Lehigh University Veterans Association and ArtsQuest.

Veterans’ Bios
Albert “Al” Fraind, of Allentown, served in the U.S. Army for four years in the 9th Infantry under General Patton during World War II. His service included many major battles including the Invasion of Africa, Sicily, The Battle of the Bulge, and D-Day. Before entering the service, Al worked on the assembly line at Mack Truck, Inc. After the war, he worked as a fire fighter for the Allentown Fire Department for 30 years then as an admissions counselor for Cedarbrook Nursing Home. After leaving Cedarbrook he volunteered for Lehigh County as an Ombudsman where he advocated for seniors living in long-term care facilities until he was 84 years-old. Al, who lives at the Terrace at Phoebe Allentown, survives his wife Norma and has two children, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In February, Al celebrated his 100 birthday with fellow Allentown firefighters who surprised him with a fire truck drive-by.

Mathias “Matt” Gutman, of Allentown, served 22 years in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Navy Reserves beginning with active duty during World War II where he served in six invasions. After World War II, Matt worked for Stehly Sign company as a journey sign painter and for Mutual and United of Omaha and Metropolitan Life Insurance Companies as an insurance representative. After that, he worked at Mack Trucks, Inc. for 12 years on the “Fire Line” producing fire trucks until he retired. Matt, who lives at the Terrace at Phoebe Allentown, survives his wife Arlene and has six children, three stepchildren, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. At 95 years-old, Matt continues to visit schools and share his story of service.

Harry Hebig, of Allentown, served stateside for two years during World War II at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field near Milton, FL. After serving, Harry worked at Mack Trucks, Inc. followed by Lehigh Valley Dairy where he worked for 27 years as a sales manager. He then worked for the East Penn School District as a member of the maintenance staff until he retired. Harry, who lives at the Terrace at Phoebe Allentown, survives his wife Lorraine and has two children and five grandchildren.