World War II at 80: Paths of Perseverance Featured Vignettes

Annette Mildred Ruth (Schubert) Howards (1923-2013) was born in the Bronx, New York. She joined the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in 1944 and was stationed in California throughout WWII. Howards tells the unique story of a Jewish woman serving in the Marines during WWII. Her post-war life in Madison and commitment to social justice was largely influenced by her military experience.
Annette Howards is played by Mary Wallin.  Armed with a degree in theatre arts and a multitude of experiences, Mary has a plethora of projects under her belt. She is an actor, writer, director, and musician in the Madison area. She has taken part in productions with Lucid Dreaming Sketch Comedy, Are We Delicious?, Madison Shakespeare Company, and Dinner Detective, among others. You can find her this Fall performing in Lucid Dreaming Sketch Comedy or playing in the musical duo - Dapper Whimsy.

John G. Scocos Sr. (1918–2004) of Fond du Lac, WI, served as a WWII Army Air Corps bombardier flying numerous missions across Europe. Shot down in 1944, he endured life as a POW at Stalag Luft III where he was held for 50 weeks. He tells the story of life as a POW including liberation by the 3rd Army. A lifelong VFW, AMVETS, and American Legion member, he left a legacy through his service.
John Scocos Sr. is played by Stuart Mott. Mott is an alum of UW-Madison and has acted both locally and around the country. Most recently, he performed as music director of the Second City's national touring company for six years. He now resides in Milwaukee.

Kurt G. Pechmann (1922–2009) was born in Silesia (now Poland) and apprenticed as a stonecutter before being drafted into the German Army during WWII. Captured in 1943, he was brought to POW camps in Wisconsin and Illinois, where he grew to love and admire America. After the war, he immigrated to the United States, where he settled in Madison, founding a granite-cutting business making monuments. Pechmann used his skills to give back, creating memorials to honor U.S. veterans across the state of Wisconsin.
Kurt Pechmann is played by Jim Ross. Ross is a Stoughton-based actor with a deep love for the stage and storytelling. Jim is retired from a long career in health care and information technology. He has performed with various theater companies in the area and is thrilled to be portraying Kurt Pechmann.

Dr. John Leroy (J. Leroy) Sims (1912–1999) was a distinguished gastroenterologist, WWII veteran, and member of the U.S. Army’s 44th General Hospital, which played a pivotal role during the Pacific campaign. Sims served in the Philippines, where the 44th faced dire circumstances during the Japanese counterattack on Leyte in 1944. In what became known as the Battle of Buffalo Wallow, the hospital staff upheld their commitment to saving lives while navigating life-threatening challenges.
Dr. John Sims is played by Dave Pausch. Pausch is a Madison-based actor and director. He is thrilled to return for his third Talking Spirits roll. His most recent acting credits include Mr. Kailer (They Diary of Anne Frank) and Bill (The Women of Lockerbie) His most recent directing credits include Journey's End, Rock of Ages, She Kills Monsters, and Are We Delicious? Murders. He is currently an MFA candidate at Randolph College and is the theater director at LaFollette High School.