Author SeriesVeterans Day 2026
They Are Only Gone If They Are Forgotten
A Veterans Day book talk and meet-and-greet with author Steven Robert Zaley on his father’s journey with the 82nd Airborne Division in World War II.
The book
The paratroopers of four combat missions, brought back to life.
They Are Only Gone If They Are Forgotten tells the story of one of the original companies of the 82nd Airborne Division: Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, of the 505th Combat Team. It follows a rare group of paratroopers who made four combat missions behind enemy lines.
It is more than a typical war story. Zaley set out to bring readers into the lives of these men, from 1942 through the end of the war in 1945.
- Unit505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
- Years1942–1945
- AuthorSteven Robert Zaley
“What I wanted was to bring them back into the life and times of 1942 to 1945.”Steven Robert Zaley
About the author
A son’s mission to keep his father’s story alive.
Steven Robert Zaley is the son of Steve Zaley, a World War II paratrooper who served with the 505th in the 82nd Airborne Division.
After his father’s death, Zaley spent years working alongside other members of the combat team and doing his own research. The result is a book written so that his father, and the men he served beside, are never forgotten.
On Veterans Day, he brings that story to the Museum’s Small Theater, then stays to meet visitors in the lobby.
Available in the Museum Store
Autographed, serialized copies on Veterans Day.
On November 11, autographed and serialized copies of They Are Only Gone If They Are Forgotten, plus merchandise, will be available in the Museum Store. You can also order the book online now.
Veterans Day schedule
Join us on November 11.
- 12 PMBook talk
Small Theater
- 1–3 PMMeet-and-greet
Museum Lobby
- All dayAutographed books & merchandise
Museum Store
Airborne & Special Operations Museum
100 Bragg Boulevard, Fayetteville, NC
Author Series
More stories. More voices.
This Veterans Day talk is the start of a new Author Series at the Museum, bringing writers to share the stories of Airborne and Special Operations Soldiers. More conversations are on the way.
