(above) Michael T. Naya Jr
Young Kenilworth Historian shares his research
Michael Naya Jr., a lifelong resident of Kenilworth, has gained recognition as a young historian whose focus on American history has lent a voice to dozens of veterans across the country. His research has lead to Michael’s involvement with numerous organizations, including the Kenilworth Historical Society and the Battle of the Bulge Association. Michael was recently interviewed by News 12 New Jersey regarding the progression of his research, and has ambitions to pursue a degree in American History, as well as publish a compilation of his findings.
Hello Fellow Neighbors and Residents,
My name is Michael T. Naya Jr. and I am a seventeen year-old Kenilworth resident who has always been fascinated with American history. At the age of six, I began to read about events that happened nearly a century prior to my birth. In the year 2016, I stumbled upon a news article about two World War II veterans reuniting seventy years after the war ended. From there, I told my parents of my interest in interviewing veterans, to preserve living history and make sure their stories were recognized and remembered. Coincidentally, my mother’s best friend’s father, John A. Rembish, served in World War II and was then ninety-three years old. I have known Mr. Rembish throughout my life but it was not until a cold winter day that I had learned about his historical significance.
John was drafted in 1943 and received training at Fort Bragg, NC. From there he was shipped overseas and assigned to the Third Infantry Division, Ninth Field Artillery Battalion, Battery C. John landed in Anzio with the U.S Army and made the push into Italy. From there he was in the Invasion of Southern France and the Allied push into Germany. After I sat down with him, I learned that he played a role in the big picture of World War II. Sixteen million Americans officially served in the US Military during that war, but that number does not account for the countless fathers and mothers who had to send their children off to war, Rosie the Riveters who worked in the factories, children who collected scrap metal and contributed to the war effort, as well as thousands of others who contributed in other capacities.
After learning about John’s amazing story, I began to interview dozens of other soldiers from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Last year, I interviewed a group of men and women between the ages of one hundred and twelve, through one hundred and six years old. These centenarians and supercentenarians could recall the armistice of World War I which occurred on November 11, 1918. These World War I memories were featured in a presentation at the Nitschke House on October 20th and 21st, 2018. On May 16, 2019 I was interviewed by New Jersey Twelve News, featuring my research conducted on World War II veterans.
Men and women from these generations all share a common bond of living through some of the most defining events of the twentieth century. As these men and women age, it is easy to forget the events that they have witnessed throughout their lives. As time passes there are fewer men and women left from these generations. This increases the importance for the reason behind talking and engaging with these amazing men and women while we are still presented with the opportunity. I am always seeking new and interesting stories from that generation. I highly encourage those of you interested in history to sit down with elders while they are able to talk about their long and fascinating lives.
