On Veterans Day, the Glick Company would like to thank all those who have served this country. Your patriotism, courage, and sacrifice are what maintain the values of our country. We salute you and your families today.

Our company’s story of origin is forever tied to the bravery of one such veteran, Gene B. Glick. Here’s a bit more of his story as a veteran and how it shaped him and this company:

Gene B. Glick graduated from Indiana University in December 1942 with a business degree; however, he knew another duty lay before him: war against Germany and Japan.

Glick enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a combat instructor until June 1944. After initially being deployed in Italy, he requested and was granted a transfer to the French front, joining the 170^th Regiment of the 45^th Infantry Division.

As the Allies made their push into occupied territory, Glick’s fluency in German made him key when interrogating enemy soldiers. He saw plenty of combat, but the most pivotal day of his life arrived during the Battle of the Bulge. Glick was caught in a sustained artillery bombardment for hours. Certain that he would die, he vowed that if he lived, he would always remember this day and never lose hope.

Near the end of the war, Glick’s unit liberated the Dachau concentration camp, and the vision of systematic genocide was seared into his brain. He had his camera with him and took photographs that helped document the atrocities of the Nazi regime, some of which are now archived at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.

For his service, Glick was awarded the Bronze Star, the European Theater medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. More than 50 years later, he would find his exploits among those chronicled by journalist Tom Brokaw in his best-selling book, The Greatest Generation. Glick was also featured in a television interview with Brokaw that aired at the same time.

Having witnessed the devastation of World War II, Glick returned home with an abiding resolve to build a worthy life to succeed it -- and to help others do the same.