On December 6, 2025, the Adult Education Committee at Temple B’nai Israel of Laconia hosted an illuminating presentation about “The Ritchie Boys,” a remarkable group of primarily Jewish young men who escaped Nazi-occupied Europe, found refuge in America, and then enlisted in the U.S. military to return to Europe to undertake perilous missions behind enemy lines during World War II. This event offered a rare, personal window into their courageous stories through the expertise of Aimee Gagnon Fogg, a local researcher with a profound family connection to the topic.

The Ritchie Boys used their native language skills, cultural knowledge, and intelligence training to gather critical information on the battlefield. Many had fled persecution only to return in uniform to aid the Allied effort. Their unique backgrounds allowed them to excel in interrogation, psychological warfare, and covert operations, often operating at great personal risk. Despite their significant contributions, their stories have often remained little known, overshadowed by more famous military narratives.

Fogg, the great-niece of PFC Paul M. Lavoie—a Ritchie Boy interred at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium—shared not only historical facts but also personal insights. As the founder of the Facebook page, They Speak: Voices of Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, she is dedicated to preserving the memories of the nearly 8,400 soldiers buried there through personal stories and photographs. Her work highlights the importance of remembering individual sacrifices amid the vast scope of history. Recognized with the Daughters of the American Revolution Women in American History award, Fogg fuses scholarship with heartfelt passion into her storytelling.

This presentation was a special opportunity to connect with the past through a local lens. It reminded attendees that history is composed of real people with complex journeys and profound courage. As we reflect on the contributions of the Ritchie Boys and the legacy preserved by voices like Aimee’s, we gain deeper appreciation for the resilience and sacrifices that shaped the world we live in today. Aimee has published three books, available on Amazon, telling the stories of the soldiers interred in Henri-Chapelle from New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

During the session, Aimee shared intimate details that brought the Ritchie Boys and their families vividly to life, connecting history with human experience. The warmth of the gathering was evident when, afterward, TBI’s Adult Education team expressed gratitude with a bottle of Israeli wine and a homemade Challah, freshly baked by Kurt Iske. Kurt, was particularly moved when during the discussion, he realized his own uncles, youthful immigrants from Germany to the US in the 1930s, might have been Ritchie Boys, a discovery and connection that felt truly beshert—meant to be.

This presentation was not only a tribute to brave young men who fought against tyranny but also a reminder of the power of storytelling to foster understanding and remembrance. To stay informed about future TBI Adult Education programs, meaningful conversations with Rabbi Andy Bachman, and upcoming services or holiday celebrations, community members and non-members alike are encouraged to subscribe via https://tbinh.org/contact/ .