15-year-old Cash Simmons is studious enough to play football at TC Roberson High School and earn a 4.25 GPA, but what really sets this Canton, North Carolina teen apart is his love for those who served in the U.S. military. He's spent two years collecting military medals and memorabilia, researching who received Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars, and documenting their stories on a Facebook page under the name “Jim Simmons.” He's researched 25 military members so far, and it starts with the most important one: Cash's great-grandfather, William “Bill” Stevens. Sergeant Bill Stevens was assigned to the “24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Company Mechanized 4th Cavalry Group” when he was 20 years old. The author of the Facebook page that researched that group is tagged above. Cash learned a lot about the history of his great-grandfather's heroic mission in the Normandy landings at the Saint-Marcouf Islands. After liberating Cherbourg and many towns in northern France, his great-grandfather traveled to Belgium to take part in the Battle of the Bulge and fought in Germany. Bill's unit participated in five campaigns in France, Belgium and Germany. However, when Bill returned home to Waynesboro, North Carolina, many wartime memories plagued his peace, and PTSD caused him to barely speak about his heroic actions, so the medals were put in a box and remained untouched until his death in 1992. The box was moved to the street to await the trash collector, until Cash's great-uncle rescued it. Still, the contents were never fully examined until two years ago, when Cash, then 13 years old, began to investigate. The story Cash uncovered brought the family to tears. Tears of gratitude and respect for Bill Stevens' great legacy, for their family, their country and peace around the world. Cash Simmons continues to collect and research so other families can understand their heritage. And long after they no longer have family to reach out to, we keep these heroes' stories public on Facebook so someone, somewhere can read them and ensure their service and sacrifice are never forgotten. There's no greater gift we can all share on Memorial Day than the gift Cash Simmons gives to us every day. Click on the story above to meet Cash and hear his story in his own words.
Fifteen-year-old Cash Simmons plays football at TC Roberson High School and studies hard enough to earn a 4.25 GPA, but what really makes this Canton, North Carolina teenager stand out is his heart for those who have served in the United States military.
For two years, he's been collecting military medals and memorabilia, tracking down who had been awarded Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars, and documenting their stories on a Facebook page under the name “Jim Simmons.”
He has surveyed 25 military personnel so far.
And it all started with the most important man: Cash's great-grandfather, William “Bill” Stevens.
Sergeant Bill Stevens was 20 years old when he was assigned to the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Company, 4th Cavalry Group Mechanized.
The creator of the Facebook page investigating the group is tagged above.
Cash learned a lot about the history of his great-grandfather's heroic actions at St. Marcouf on D-Day, liberating Cherbourg and many other towns in northern France before moving to Belgium to fight in the Battle of the Bulge and on to Germany.
Bill's unit participated in five battles throughout France, Belgium and Germany.
But when Bill returned to his home in Waynesboro, North Carolina, many wartime memories plagued his peace, PTSD caused him to speak little about his heroism, and his medals remained in a box, untouched until his death in 1992.
The box was moved onto the street to wait for the trash collector, but Cash's great-uncle rescued it.
Still, its contents were not fully understood until two years ago, when Cash, then 13 years old, began researching it.
The story Cash uncovered brought the family to tears — tears of gratitude and respect for Bill Stevens' great achievements, for his family, his country and for world peace.
Cash Simmons continues to collect and research so other families can understand their legacies, and even after there are no more family members to contact, she keeps these heroes' stories public on Facebook so someone, somewhere can read them and their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.
There is no greater gift we can all share this Memorial Day than the gift Cash Simmons gives to us every day.
Click on the story above to meet Mr. Cash and hear his story told in his own words.