Hi,
Being a 1950 model, I don't have any personal remembrances, but I was fortunate enough when growing up to be taught what VE Day was, is, and will continue to be. Many of those film clips are familiar.
Almost everyone I knew who did remember it personally is gone now, and I wish they would have told more stories. The fact they didn't is hardly unusual for people of that generation, but I still hope any of you who know WWII vets can get some of their stories on paper or tape before it's too late. We've gotta remember anybody who was old enough to understand what VE Day meant is close to 90 or better, maybe even 100 or more.
Just a few I'd like to be able to talk to again:
My grandmother, father's side, an inspector at Boeing Wichita.
Uncle Joe, first generation Italian American, US Army medic in Europe.
Granny on my mother's side, a nurse from the end of WWI to the end of WWII, who cared for many, many vets of both wars, here stateside.
Col. Bill, Army Air Forces/USAF, bomber pilot in WWII, shot down twice over Europe, rescued and returned to England the first time by French Resistance, German POW the second time, went on to fly transports in Korea, and checked out in F-4 Phantoms in Viet Nam, though I don't know if he flew any missions there.
Howard, Army Air Forces fighter pilot, flew many missions in support of the bombers out of England, shot down by one of the top German aces at the time, returned to England by French Resistance, went back up and shot down the very same German who'd gotten him. Only time either of them was shot down, they became lifelong friends a number of years after the war. His stories were much like Gunther Raal's in the video.
I'm sure there are many I'm forgetting just in my little circle. We've probably got thousands between all of us here if we just think about 'em...
Rick C
