BOCA RATON, Fla. As the world prepares to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of France from the Nazis, a remarkable love story unfolds. Harold Terens, a 100-year-old World War II veteran, and his fiancée, Jeanne Swerlin, 96, are set to tie the knot in a town near the beaches where U.S. troops landed on D-Day.
The couple, both widowed, radiate youthful affection as they discuss their impending nuptials. Terens, a former U.S. Army Air Forces corporal, reminisces about his first visit to France at the age of 20 shortly after D-Day. He affectionately describes Swerlin as “quite special,” while Swerlin, with a sparkle in her eye, declares Terens to be “amazing” and praises him as “the greatest kisser.”
Their paths to love were as diverse as their wartime experiences. Swerlin, a native of Brooklyn, found herself amidst the whirlwind of World War II as a high school student, collecting war souvenirs from soldiers. Terens, hailing from the Bronx, enlisted in 1942 and served as a radio repair technician, witnessing the horrors and heroism of the battlefield.
Terens recounts his harrowing experiences during and after D-Day, including helping repair planes and transporting prisoners. His journey took him through North Africa, Tehran, and eventually back to the United States after the Nazi surrender in 1945. He returned home, married his wife Thelma, and embarked on a life filled with family and career achievements.
Swerlin, on the other hand, navigated the challenges of wartime loss, becoming a full-time mother and eventually finding companionship with Sol Katz before his passing in 2019. It was Katz’s daughter who played matchmaker, introducing Swerlin to Terens in 2021.
Their love story unfolded gradually, with a chance encounter leading to a whirlwind romance. Despite initial indifference, a second meeting sparked undeniable chemistry, and Terens found himself head over heels in love.
Now, as they prepare for their wedding in June, the couple’s journey comes full circle, returning to France to commemorate the sacrifices of D-Day and celebrate their love in a historic chapel in the town of Carentan-les-Marais. Mayor Jean-Pierre Lhonneur, recognizing the significance of their union amidst the backdrop of American sacrifice, eagerly awaits the opportunity to officiate their wedding.
As the world honors the legacy of those who fought for freedom on D-Day, Harold Terens and Jeanne Swerlin stand as a testament to enduring love and the resilience of the human spirit, proving that even amidst the shadows of history, love knows no bounds.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
