Capturing A Moment Seventy-Eight Years in the Making: The Homecoming of PFC Berton J. McQueen

When Genevieve Palm approached us with her unique request to document an event that was decades in the making, we were both honored and inspired. This was not just any event; it was the long-overdue homecoming of Private First Class (PFC) Berton J. McQueen, a U.S. Army Infantryman who had paid the ultimate price for his country in World War II. The honor was in playing a part in this historic moment; the inspiration was in Genevieve's unwavering dedication to uncover her uncle's story and ensure his memory lived on.

Berton J. McQueen hailed from Wind Cave, Kentucky, a small community nestled in Jackson County. He was an ordinary young man who loved his family, worked at a coal mine, and enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corp. But when the call of duty arrived, Berton answered it without hesitation. He joined the U.S. Army in April 1943, a decision that took him more than 4,000 miles away from home, into the battlegrounds of North Africa, Italy, and finally France. Berton was a brave soldier who was wounded twice in the line of duty and was part of the historic "Lost Battalion." His ultimate sacrifice came in late November 1944 near Bruyeres, Eastern France, just nine days before his 21st birthday. His remains were unidentified for 77 years until modern DNA science, and the relentless research of Genevieve Palm, brought an end to the long years of uncertainty.

Genevieve, a dedicated niece, had spent most of her life tirelessly piecing together her uncle's history. His narrative had been a constant presence in her life, a mystery that unfolded slowly through stories, letters, and decades of research. She, along with the help of her family, worked closely with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to provide DNA samples that would eventually confirm Berton's identity. For Genevieve, this was more than just a quest for closure. It was a labor of love, a personal mission to give her beloved uncle the homecoming he never received.

When we partnered with Genevieve, we wanted to capture not just the event, but the essence of Berton's life and the profound significance of his homecoming. We were entrusted with the task of visually narrating a tale that was so much more than a soldier's return; it was a testament to familial love, relentless pursuit of truth, and a community's respect for their hero.

Our team was inspired by Berton's story and Genevieve's dedication. This was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and we aimed to capture every detail with utmost sensitivity. On the day of Berton's homecoming, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of solemnity, respect, and closure. The community came together to welcome their lost son, paying homage at the Jackson County Veterans Memorial Park before laying him to rest at the Wind Cave Church, where Berton had spent his early years. We captured these moments, focusing on the mingling emotions of grief, pride, and relief etched on the faces of Berton's family and the larger community.

Working with Genevieve, we also understood the importance of capturing personal mementos that painted a vivid picture of Berton's life.

This experience was more than a job for us; it was a deeply moving journey into the past, a lesson in sacrifice and dedication. The story of PFC Berton J. McQueen is one that needed to be told, and we are humbled to have played a part in this historic event. Through our lenses, we not only captured the homecoming of a hero but also the end of a search that spanned over seven decades.

At its core, our profession is about capturing moments, telling stories, and preserving memories. But sometimes, it's also about giving justice to those stories that were left untold and celebrating the people who make them unforgettable. In Berton and Genevieve, we found both a hero's tale of courage and a family's unyielding commitment to honor their own. This was more than a homecoming; it was a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the unbreakable bonds of family.

In closing, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Genevieve Palm for trusting us with this significant task. We were not just documenting an event; we were etching a piece of history into the annals of time. PFC Berton J. McQueen, your story lives on, not just in the heart of Wind Cave, Kentucky, but in the hearts of all those who understand the magnitude of your sacrifice. Your homecoming was a moment seventy-eight years in the making, and we were honored to capture it.