During trip to France, retired educator honors Lester Porter

Dr. Lester Porter experienced much in the European theater during World War II. 

The Dublin native, and later beloved optometrist and civic leader, battled across France as part of the famed 12th Armored Division, driving back Nazi forces and leading the first American troops into Germany. His company liberated five concentration camps and led the charge into several harrowing battles, including at “Bloody Herrlisheim,” where he was wounded. 

“I caught some shrapnel in my left hip, and then a German shot my helmet off as I was evacuating the field and missed me three or four times as his bullets would hit the snow and bounced, spinning over me as I crawled out in a trail throughout the snow already red with the blood of wounded who had gone ahead of me,” Porter would say later, describing that day. 

When his service ended in 1946, he embarked on a successful civilian life, serving his community as a doctor, the mayor of Dublin and head of the local chamber of commerce, among other roles. He was barely an adult as he fought to liberate Europe, and it wouldn’t be until his later years that he fully opened up and shared his experiences. He would never return to France. Porter died January 2021. 

Among the people to hear Porter’s stories was Sheila Herring. Herring would get to know Porter through the Veterans Day program she would organize and produce at Northwest Laurens Elementary School. The music teacher always invited local veterans to the annual show, and Porter was a regular, eager spectator. The program of patriotic songs and presentations honoring each branch of the military sought not only to pay homage to those who served but also instill patriotism in students. 

“I’ve always loved the WWII guys, and he was one of my favorites. We were so close,” Herring said. “He would talk about [his experiences] and tell me about France. He became like a grandfather to me.” 

After a 32-year career in education, Herring retired in 2012. She began traveling the world with a group of area retired teachers, visiting places in Italy and Greece. Recently the group traveled to France, and Herring made sure the group made the journey to Normandy, where Allied troops landed on June 6, 1944 to begin the fight to save Europe from the Nazi regime. 

Tucked away in her luggage was a photograph of a young soldier in his uniform – an image of her departed friend Lester Porter.

“I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but that picture was going to stay there because he never got to go,” Herring said. 

As the group made its way to the beaches of Normandy, where many young soldiers met their fate, Herring told her traveling companions about her plan, along with a few of Porter’s war tales. There was much to see in Normandy, from the craters left by shell blasts and bullet-marked cathedrals, which forever illustrate the chaos of battle, to the serene cemeteries and monuments eternally recognizing the sacrifices made that day. The schedule was tight, but while visiting the Normandy American Cemetery the tour guide gave the group 15 minutes to explore and walk around. 

Inside the cemetery is a bronze statue by American artist Donald De Lue. The 22-foot-tall monument, named “The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves,” was placed in the 1950s, watching over the American dead and honoring those who fought in Europe. It was a fitting spot to leave the framed photo of the young soldier from Dublin, Georgia, along with an American flag and a bouquet of flowers. 

“It was really emotional for me,” Herring said. “I couldn’t have planned it any better.” 

Behind the photo in the frame were clippings and notes, detailing Porter’s identity and adventures for whoever collected the photo. Afterwards, the group headed to the City of Light to take in the more luxurious side of France. But the highlight of the trip, Herring said, will forever be honoring her friend. 

“This outdoes Paris,” she said.