Warbird Kid wrote:
Or even the heart felt stories of the few veterans that were interviewed for the video? I remember a short segment that featured a sparky old gentleman under a B-17 shouting: "Hey some kids, thats what I like to see!" And then to the camera "First of all you can see I can an affection towards this airplane. I've got six grandchildren who are all brainwashed on Twelve O'clock High square G B-17s! There the ones who are gonna keep it going, Im, Im not gonna be around forever, and I think that this is an important part of our history, and I'd hate to see it dying."
Aw darnit Chris, you got me weepy... that gentleman was Bill Behr, a longtime friend and a true gentleman despite the fact he lived in New Jersey (kidding ya'll!). Bill and his wife Emma could be found at two places during the show... under a B-17 recounting his experience as a ball turret gunner or the Veterans Tent talking to everyone around. I still have pictures of Bill and I when I was yet a wee lad no more than 14 years old at the 1941 HAG "Memories" USO show... the first one... which was held in the Geneseo Armory as the little NWM offshoot hadn't a hangar built yet! That was a fun night that I'll always remember...
We lost Bill shortly after that... he was called up on his last mission and left us all to carry the torch for him. I know a lot of folks miss him, and I know a lot of kids like you who listened to his story under the B-17 and took a shine to warbirds and aviation in the years that followed. I thank God everyday that we have veterans like Bill and like Wilbur Richardson out at POF who love to share their experiences. Their stories and the approachable way they tell them will keep the memory of all those who have Gone West before them, alive and passed on to our grandchildren and beyond.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
He seemed like an awfully approachable guy that was eager to tell a tale. (much like my grandfather was) I live for finding that kind of veteran at shows.
