The nationally touring exhibit Brothers in Arms will honor Charles and James Summers, two brothers from High Point, North Carolina, who were killed months apart during World War II and are buried side by side in Normandy. The event, taking place at Wilmington's Community Arts Center, will feature remarks from their surviving sister, Betty Jean Summers Neely, and a special call-in by former U.S. Senator Richard Burr, who has previously honored the family at their gravesite.
The Summers brothers' story underscores the profound personal losses endured during WWII. Charles, a Staff Sergeant, died in France after landing at Utah Beach on D-Day, while James, a Private First Class, was killed in Italy three months later. Their deaths left an indelible mark on their family, as recounted by Betty Jean, who remembers the silence that fell over their home after the tragedies.
Brothers in Arms, created by historian Kevin M. Callahan in collaboration with the American Battle Monuments Commission, aims to honor over 700 sets of American brothers who died together in WWII and share their stories through photographs, artifacts, and personal narratives. This event serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by families during the war, offering a deeply personal perspective on the cost of conflict.
