Carol Ponder, left, and Robert Kiefer adapted and perform "Ponder Anew: A WWII Warrior's Story."Married duo Carol Ponder and Robert Kiefer will bring a World War II veteran's memoir to life Saturday, Feb. 18, at Charles & Myrtle's Coffeehouse.
Ponder is the middle daughter of Lt. Hershel Ponder, whose recollections of the war were adapted into a song and storytelling performance, "My Father's War: A Story of War, Survival and Grace."
Lt. Ponder joined the Army Air Corps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, an innocent young man who would become, in his words, "a professional exterminator." Forty-four years later, he sat down at his kitchen table to write his war memoir, "Ponder Anew," describing his fears, joys and struggle to remain human during and after the war.
Kiefer portrays the young soldier, and every word he speaks is from his father-in-law's original manuscript. They augment the sense of time and place with favorite songs from the period and traditional music from the family home in western North Carolina.
Carol Ponder says the performance is meant as a catalyst for healing and understanding. A discussion with the audience follows each performance.
"My father's story not only brings history to life; it also inspires participants to talk, then write about their own experiences of life before, during and after military service," she says on the duo's website, www.carolandrobert.com.
The performance starts at 8 p.m. at 105 McBrien Road. Admission is a suggested $10 donation. For more information, call 423-892-4960.