Erwin Winkelmann

Erwin Winkelmann is a hero because he's brave; he fought in World War II for his country and for what he believed. He's taken care of his family for sixty long years and has survived for eighty years.

Erwin Winkelmann (my grandpa) was born in Hamburg, Germany on Oct. 23, 1924. During school he was best at physical exercise and math. His favorite sport in school was gymnastics. Growing up in Germany was hard for him because, at the time, Aldolf Hitler was in control of the country. No one could say anything negative about Aldolf or his party or they and their family would be severely punished. Everyone was forced to follow the rules that the Nazis made, and they couldn't listen to jazz.

After high school he attended the German Naval Academy. Later he joined the Navy at the age of seventeen. In the Navy, his rank was an Ensign. He was also in the mine-sweeping office so his favorite thing to do in the Navy was to sweep for mines. He never got injured but he was on three mine-sweeping ships that sunk. Even though he was born and grew up in Germany, he prefers America much more. If possible, he would never go back to Germany because he likes the freedom in America.

After his years in the Navy, Erwin moved to Cleveland, Ohio with his wife. In Cleveland they had their first daughter, Christine Winkelmann. A few years later they had their first son, Stephan Winkelmann. Still later they had a second son, Philip Winkelmann. Erwin cared for the kids and worked as an engineer to get money for his family. Now that his children have grown up, he's taken his grandchildren on a cruise, to water parks, and to musuems to celebrate having freedom and for leaving the bad times in Germany. He had a stroke which permanently damaged his leg so he has to work out and constantly move to avoid having to use a wheelchair. I think Erwin is a good man, for protecting the people he cared for in Germany and for being so nice to his family and friends.