Winchester Remembers WWII Hero at Annual Historical Society Meeting

The Winchester Historical Society’s annual meeting was held Tuesday night and it featured the heartwarming story of a hometown WWII hero.

“500 Sheets” is the inspiring, true story of Lt. Col. John Hanlon, and a promise he made during the Battle of the Bulge to a group of Belgian villagers who answered his call for help. The story of that promise and how it was kept by the people of Winchester captured the attention of people across the country as newspapers.

Using historic photographs and many of Hanlon’s own writings, this volume presents a story of the war from the viewpoint of a Winchester native who first trained for team-work and leadership on the Winchester High School gridiron and later proved his worth with the 101st Airborne Division, earning a Silver Star and a Purple Heart.

500 Sheets traces his story through the moment when, as a battalion commander with the 101st Airborne Division, 500 sheets helped save American lives and left Hanlon with a promise to keep.

Ultimately this is the story of how Hanlon, with the help of his hometown, fulfilled his promise and won the hearts of two countries through his integrity. It is also about the deep gratitude and the friendship that arose between a Belgian village and an American town because of 500 bed sheets, still evidenced by gifts from Belgium in six of Winchester’s churches. Further, it is a tribute to the servicemen and women of Winchester, exemplified by Col. Hanlon, and those who have supported them on the home front and abroad.

Published by the Town of Winchester to be presented to the town of Bastogne, Belgium, as a token of continuing friendship, the book is now also available to the public.

In honor of Veterans Day, the Historical Society showcased the story at the Sunburn House Tuesday night. Author Dr. Ellen Knight presented the work.

500 Sheets is available for purchase for $29.95 at the Town Clerk’s Office, and at the Winchester Archival Center.