A Citrus County couple got a whole lot more than they bargained for when they bought a coffee table for $5 at a local storage facility.
- Couple finds piles of WWII photos, medals
- Items belonged to Pearl Harbor survivor Louis Poehler
- Nonprofit helped couple reunite items with Poehler's family
When Abbey Bruns and Jacob Young returned home with their new acquisition, they found piles of pictures, World War II medals and patches behind the tables’ doors.
"I actually got really excited and looked at [Bruns] and was like, 'These are from World War II -- I wonder if these are real?" said Young.
Among the items, the couple also found a security card belonging to Navy veteran Louis Poehler, a Pearl Harbor survivor.
The couple, along with Brun’s mother, Susan, knew the pieces of history had to be returned home, wherever that might be. They started searching online, and found a nonprofit called “Purple Hearts Reunited."
Zac Fike, a Captain in the Vermont Army National Guard and the founder of the organization, was able to help the family locate Poehler’s family almost instantly.
"A lot of these medals hold a lot of history," said Fike. "In this particular case, [Poehler] served in the Navy during WW II alongside his brother. So they had two family members serving ... not only were they serving, but they served during a critical point in our history."
Louis Poehler passed away in 2006. His son Carl, who lives in Pennsylvania, told us he had no idea his father's medals were missing. He went on to say he's thrilled they will be returned, and couldn't thank the family that uncovered them for their kindness.
That family, meanwhile, said they’ll always think of Poehler every time they look at the coffee table.
"He was a hero, he fought for our country," said Susan. "This is family history, family memories, this is our history books."