Cascadia Scorecard News
September 2006

Longtime Sightline volunteer’s life story published

Congratulations are in order to Sightline's long-time friends, Norman and Georgie Kunkel. Along with recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, the couple has just published an autobiography titled: WWII Liberator's Life: AFS Ambulance Driver Chooses Peace. The book chronicles Norman's experiences as a young man serving in the ambulance corps during WWII, including his long-distance courtship with Georgie and the encounters that caused him to return home as a lifelong advocate for peace.

Beginning in the fruit orchards of Yakima, where Norman was raised, the book follows Norman from his recruitment by the American Field Service and his early relationship with Georgie, to his overseas service that took him through India, Italy, Paris, and-perhaps the most life-changing of all--the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Throughout his deployment, Norman and Georgie built a close relationship by writing frequent letters to each other, and upon the end of the war, the two married.

The horrific abuses and casualties that Norman witnessed throughout his service in WWII ultimately changed his life forever. Since returning, he and Georgie have been devoted to promoting messages of peace and alternatives to war as a solution for conflict. Norman has spoken to audiences in Brazil, Texas, Oregon, Washington DC, and throughout Washington State. The couple strongly believes that peace can be furthered through intercultural experiences resulting in greater understanding of people around the world.

Amidst all of their travels and projects, Norman donated over 1,400 hours of volunteer work to Sightline! We are grateful for to both of them for their dedication to community, and we encourage you to find out more about the Kunkels by reading the book.

You can order a copy by contacting Georgie Kunkel
Send a check or money order for $19.50 plus $4 for mailing to:
Georgie Kunkel
3409 SW Trenton
Seattle, WA 98126-3743