Worlds Apart, Worlds United
A European-American Story, The Memoirs of Ann and Alfred Diamant
by
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As graduation day, March 13, 1943, grew closer, our excitement mounted. Every day we survived without being washed out brought us closer to our gold bars. Finally the day came to be measured for uniforms, a definite sign that we had made it.
Ann says I urged her to attend the graduation exercises, which were scheduled for a Saturday morning. I guess my invitation became persistent enough, because Ann consented to attend and to pin the second lieutenant bars on my uniform. She arranged to be driven to the exercises by Dorothy and Sherman Stevens, her cousins who lived in
Saturday was a clear, pleasant day, and the ceremonies went smoothly. Afterwards the Stevenses drove Ann and me to their house, where I met Aunt Bertha (Dorothy's mother) and the Stevens children. We stayed there overnight. Ann had to return to work at
When the graduation orders for my class appeared, we learned that most of us had been assigned to the 8th Armored Division at Camp (now Fort)
So on that Saturday, I knew where I had to be in ten days time, but I had no clear notion of what I would be doing in the meantime. I thought vaguely about visiting the Diamonds and my other friends in
Memories are very tricky. Much of what we remember is not the original event but mostly the later retellings, suitably embellished, corrected, or even bowdlerized. This is especially true if the later retelling is not based on one's own recollection but on that of another person. Under these conditions, we can never really be sure that we are recalling the events exactly as they happened. With that said, I will go on with my narrative.
About halfway to
Ann responded, “Do you have anybody in mind?”
I must have indicated that she was, indeed, the object of these intentions, for we then argued the pros and cons of immediate marriage versus waiting for the end of the war.
In any case, Ann indicated that she needed some time to think it over. I agreed that she should take all the time she needed, provided she came to closure by the time we reached
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About the Book
Ann Redmon was the daughter of Protestant farmers from
They came from vastly different worlds. Yet, when they met during WWII, something ignited between them, something so profound that it overcame those differences.
Worlds Apart, Worlds United: A European-American Story, The Memoirs of Ann & Alfred Diamant is a love story. It is the story of two remarkable people whose lives touched countless others in memorable ways.
However, their story is also an eyewitness account of other times and other places. It is a glimpse into a window that is now closed or at least darkened for most of today’s generations. It is insightful, thought-provoking, and inspiring.
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What comes through this book are Freddy’s deep commitments to his wife, to his children, to his students, to his colleagues. These commitments to people are combined with a belief that our country and our world can be more just and more decent. He gives us a profound and inspiring vision.
~Norm Furniss, PhD, Professor of Political Science (retired),
Ann had a strong belief in social justice. She did not tolerate discrimination or intolerance. Early in her life, she realized the importance of education for all, especially women. Ann learned early that men had all the advantages—wages, promotions, household assistance. She became a lifelong feminist, a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and a lifetime member of the League of Women Voters (LWV).
~Iris Kiesling, Commissioner,
About the Author
Alfred Diamant was born in 1917 in
During WWII, Freddy again miraculously survived when he was critically injured as a parachutist in the 82nd Airborne. He went on to pursue his academic dreams, studying at
Ann Redmon Diamant was born in 1913 near
Ann became an ardent feminist and supporter of human rights. Her strength of character served her well during her life’s many challenges. Throughout her lifetime, she remained devoted to her love for learning and teaching through her work with Christian education and the League of Women Voters. Ann had an enduring passion for beauty and color, which was expressed through her interest in the arts.
Ann and Freddy met at Fort Benjamin Harrison in