Helen Shimeski, a former resident of Greenwich for over 90 years, whose maiden name was Frano, was presented with her late husband’s WWII medals on Saturday March 18, 2017. The presentation, which took place in Florida, was decades in the making, as the medals had been lost many years ago.
According to Mrs. Shimeski’s daughter, Marilyn, it took almost a year to get her father’s medals, which her mother had never seen.
“His sister had them and they were lost years ago, before my parents were married,” Marilyn said. “I presented my dad’s awards to my mother outside my home in Florida along with some family members.”
An added bonus was that the medals were presented in anticipation of Mrs. Shimeski’s 97th birthday, which is in April.
Mrs. Shimeski’s late husband, Matthew J. Shimeski, Sr. had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award and his Honorable Service Lapel Button, WWII.
“It was a very touching moment for my mom, and the day was perfect with blue skies and a lot of sunshine,” Marilyn said of the day her mother was presented with the medals.
“The team of eight people from TACOM, Philadelphia, PA who helped collect these medals included a very special birthday card to my mom in which each one signed their names,” Marilyn added.
Marilyn and Mrs. Shimeski would like to extend gratitude to the United States Army TACOM of Philadelphia for their efforts in reacquiring these honors.
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