Temple Beth Israel will host a salute to local legend Arnold Samuels on Sunday.

Samuels’ family escaped the Nazis in 1937 and he later returned to Europe with the U.S. Army, helping liberate those imprisoned at the concentration camp at Dachau alongside another young GI: Henry Kissinger. After the war, Samuels served with the Counter Intelligence Corps and searched for military criminals. He is also the only person ever elected to the Ocean Shores City Council as a write-in.

“That two young German Jews returned to their homeland as liberators with the U.S. Army says something special about justice and the American experience, Samuels’ biographer, John C. Hughes, said in January before a similar event. “Members of ‘The Greatest Generation’ don’t get much greater than Arnold Samuels, if you ask me. And thousands of people on the Harbor can testify to his public spirit and generosity.”

Hughes will be on hand Sunday to sign copies of his book “Washington Remembers World War II,” which includes stories from Samuels and several other Washingtonians who served in WWII, including a home-front “Rosie the Riveter” from Aberdeen, and an air crew sergeant from Copalis Crossing who went on to become state auditor. Hughes is chief historian for the Secretary of State’s Office.

The event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the temple, 1803 Sumner Ave. in Aberdeen.

For more information, call 360-902-4171 or go to www.sos.wa.gov/legacy.