I'll See You Again, Lady Liberty

"[A] remarkable life story" -Senator Bob Dole


I'll See You Again, Lady Liberty is the story of a young German whose father dared to rip a required picture of Hitler off his wall and whose mother made prank telephone calls to Nazis. Forced to join Hitler's army, Ernst Floeter made a secret wish to be captured by the Allies and become a prisoner of war. His wish came true twelve days after D-Day. He was a POW first in Michigan and Illinois, and then in New Mexico. After World War II ended, he sailed from New York Harbor for his homeland, but not before informing the Statue of Liberty that he would see her again.
Ernst W. Floeter started his own photography business in 1960 in Grand Ledge, Michigan, just west of Lansing, the state capital. With his charming German accent, he quickly became an "institution" by volunteering for numerous community projects, playing his harmonica and pan flute at musical events, and performing as "Uncle Sam" in Fourth of July festivities. Lynne Breen of Lansing-a history buff with a journalism background -had heard about Mr. Floeter's remarkable life and felt that his story should not be lost to history. During 2013, the two met at the Log Jam restaurant in Grand Ledge, where he shared with her his life story.