By PNC COL (ret) Carl Singer
I wanted to briefly tell you about Alvin Sussman. I’m humble and proud to call Alvin my friend – to me he represents the “Greatest Generation.” Alvin is a World War II combat veteran who, like many, came home from the war and then helped build this great nation.
2016: Alvin and I met over lunch – he has quite a story to tell. Alvin is a sharp dresser, soft spoken, articulate. He doesn’t like to talk about himself, but I learned that Alvin was a most successful entertainment executive. He headed Group W Productions at Westinghouse. Among his many credits are two popular variety shows, “The Merv Griffin Show” and “The Mike Douglas Show.” And I learned more.
1944: The Battle of the Bulge. Alvin was a young rifleman with G Company, 424 Regiment, 106th Infantry Division — he survived the frozen Ardennes Forest and the German attack that intelligence said would not happen. He has vivid memories and paints a gripping, first hand picture of that historic time – 41 days in hell.
2010: One more thing about Alvin – he is driven. He works hard to get what he wants. Alvin wanted a monument to commemorate the Battle of the Bulge. Many thought it was a pipe dream – not Alvin. He persisted and raised over $15,000. He worked with the mayor and city council of his town and they donated park land for this monument.
Here’s a picture. Alvin, job well done!
Volume 72. Number 2. Summer 2018
