Arts & Entertainment

Bellevue Veteran's Story as World War II POW Featured at Book Signings

James Keefe III will sign copies of 'Two Gold Coins and a Prayer,' the gripping tale of his father's experiences as a World War II POW in Stalag Luft III, at the Kirkland and Woodinville Costco stores.

The gripping story of a Bellevue man shot down over Nazi-occupied Holland during World War II is featured in a book that will be featured at a signing at the Kirkland  store on Feb. 4, 1-3 p.m.

“Two Gold Coins and And a Prayer” tells the story of U.S. Army pilot Lt. James Keeffe, Jr., now 88 and a Bellevue resident, who evaded the Nazis for five months with the help of the Dutch resistance, but ultimately was double-crossed and sent to the infamous POW camp Stalag Luft III. The book was authored by his son, Fall City author James Keeffe III.

Keeffe brings his father's saga to the present, relating a September visit by a Jewish woman who hid the elder Keefe 67 years ago. The book has won several awards, including the 2011 Military Writers Society of America award in the Air Force category.

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The younger Keeffe will sign copies of the book about his bomber pilot father’s story at the Kirkland Costco store and he will also appear for a book-signing at the Woodinville Costco, Feb. 5, 1-3 p.m.

An excerpt of the book is featured on the publisher's website.

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