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Bernard M. Vermeer

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Birth	:	13 Jul 1919 Sioux County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	5 Oct 1943 Chelveston, East Northamptonshire Borough, Northamptonshire, England
Burial	:	Memory Gardens Sioux Center Cemetery, Sioux Center, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.0680000, -96.1720000
Description	:	The sympathy of the community goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Vermeer, whose son T. Sgt. Bernard M. Vermeer died somewhere in the European area, according to the message received from the War Department last Thursday afternoon. The message read: "The Secretary of War asks that I assure you of his deep sympathy in the loss of your son, Technical Sergeant Bernard M. Vermeer. Report received states that he died October 5 in the European Area. Letter Follows." Signed Adjutant General Ulio Letters which have arrived here since give no indication that he was ill and as yet further details... Read More	The sympathy of the community goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Vermeer, whose son T. Sgt. Bernard M. Vermeer died somewhere in the European area, according to the message received from the War Department last Thursday afternoon. The message read: "The Secretary of War asks that I assure you of his deep sympathy in the loss of your son, Technical Sergeant Bernard M. Vermeer. Report received states that he died October 5 in the European Area. Letter Follows." Signed Adjutant General Ulio Letters which have arrived here since give no indication that he was ill and as yet further details have not been received from the War Department. His last letter dated Oct. 1st, arrived here this week. Bernard entered the Air Corps August 17th, 1942, graduated from the school for Radio Operators and Mechanics at Chicago, attended gunnery school at Harlingen, Texas, and completing that course, received more training at Salt Lake City and Blythe, Calif., and then to Dalhart, Texas where he received his wings and was promoted to T. Sgt. His last furlough he spent at home last July. He left the states on August 13th by plane and arrived in England the next day. After being stationed there a few weeks he was sent out on bombing missions over Europe, to a B-17 Flying Fortress on which he was radio operator and gunner. Surviving Bernard are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Vermeer, five brothers and two sisters: Henry and Elmer at Grand Rapids, Mich., John of Orange City, Gerald, Janeva, Kenneth and Helen at home. -Obituary from The Sioux Center News (10/14/1943) Crew Members Write Details of Bernard Vermeer's Death A Full explanation of the details of Bernard Vermeer's death was received this past week by the Henry W. Vermeer family. The writer was a fellow crew member of Bernard's and said that they had been on two bombing missions, but were on a routine practice flight when due to some electrical defect the alarm bell sounded which is the signal to "bail out." Those men farthest back in the ship had no way of knowing it was a defect that caused the alarm to ring, and the men in front were unable to reach them before three of them had left the ship, which was cruising only 350 ft. from the earth at the time. Sgt. Sewell and Sgt. Miller had also bailed out as Bernard had. The latter landed only a few feet from Bernard who had been instantly killed, as his parachute was only partly opened. The accident occurred about sixty miles north of London at about 10 o'clock in the morning. His remains are buried at Brooklawn American Cemetery which is a beautiful and well tended spot. Two other members of the same crew are now interned in a neutral country, 3 others are missing in action over Germany. Four of Bernard's crew members still remain at their station in England. All of them gave good reports of Bernard and had the highest respect for his character and ability. The letter is signed by the four who remain there namely, Sgt. H.F. Sewell, Sgt. J. H. Haselhaun, Lt. J. Mikkelson, and Lt. R. Buentschen. -News Article provided by Eric Ackerman from www.newspaperarchive.com

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Bernard M. Vermeer's memorial?
Bernard M. Vermeer's memorial is located at: Memory Gardens Sioux Center Cemetery, Sioux Center, Sioux County, USA.
When did Bernard M. Vermeer death?
Bernard M. Vermeer death on 5 Oct 1943 in Chelveston, East Northamptonshire Borough, Northamptonshire, England
Where are the coordinates of the Bernard M. Vermeer's memorial?
Latitude: 43.0680000
Longitude: -96.1720000

Family Members:

Parent

Henry William Vermeer

(1891 - 1966)

Johanna Rozeboom Vermeer

(1892 - 1978)

Siblings

Elmer Harold Vermeer

(1916 - 2007)

Gerald James Vermeer

(1923 - 2011)

Jeneva Helen Vermeer Vander Pol

(1926 - 1963)

Hellen Jean Vermeer

(1927 - 1927)

Helen Jean Vermeer Nettinga

(1931 - 1983)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Memory Gardens Sioux Center Cemetery
Sioux Center, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0680000, -96.1720000

2. Carmel Reformed Church Cemetery
Carmel, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1280000, -96.2295000

3. Middleburg Cemetery
Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1102982, -96.0772018

4. Peace Lutheran Cemetery
Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0989494, -96.2924118

5. West Lawn Cemetery
Orange City, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0110970, -96.0653000

6. Sherman Township Cemetery
Maurice, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9667015, -96.1444016

7. Saint Marys Cemetery
Maurice, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9594002, -96.1769028

8. Saint John Lutheran Cemetery
Ireton, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9585991, -96.2550201

9. Hope Cemetery
Hull, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1939011, -96.1483002

10. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Hull, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1916080, -96.1273510

11. Highland Cemetery
Highland Park, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0546989, -96.3510971

12. Lincoln Township Cemetery
Lincoln Township, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2000008, -96.1669006

13. Nassau Township Cemetery
Alton, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9832993, -96.0318985

14. Saint Marys Cemetery
Alton, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9902992, -96.0160980

15. Lebanon Christian Church Cemetery
Sioux Center, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0996700, -96.3578300

16. Newkirk Cemetery
Newkirk, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0661011, -95.9781036

17. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Ireton, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9681015, -96.3143997

18. Saint Mary's Cemetery
Rock Valley, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1864014, -96.2878036

19. Valley View Cemetery
Rock Valley, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1866989, -96.2953033

20. Saint Paul Lutheran Cemetery
Hull, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2282000, -96.0985000

21. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Struble, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8953018, -96.2005997

22. Sheridan Township Cemetery
Boyden, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2047005, -96.0208969

23. Hospers Cemetery
Hospers, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0732994, -95.9197006

24. Union Hill German Baptist Cemetery
Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9169006, -96.3324966