Central Point, ORE — 96 year old Walter Haines is one the brave that took up arms in the Pacific to fight global tyranny in WWII. He survived a Japanese war camp, holding on to the memories of his love, Byrna Jean.
Haines was celebrating his 24th birthday when he was shot down in the Philippines in 1942.
He spent the next roughly 4 years in a Japanese pow camp with only two items to his name; the shoes and cigarette lighter he had made, but he never forgot his fiance who he had left back home.
Injured at the hands of the Japanese, Haines fought for his life. Although he had promised to be back in a year to marry Byrna Jean, she went over three years never hearing from him.
When the war ended Haines made the long trek back to his home in Colorado and back to the love of his life. They were married soon after and remained husband and wife for over 65 years until she passed away five years ago.
His story is reminder that love is always stronger than hate.
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