WIX Archives
Have you hugged a veteran today?
Posted by Tony on Fri Nov 30, 2001 06:23:25 AM
In reply top Just found out Bill Reid VC has died - Sad News posted by Paul McMillan on Fri Nov 30, 2001 04:28:17 AM
Sad to hear that Bill Reid has gone too, and Hugh Verity.
This makes a point . All of you, who have been putting off, talking to a veteran, for whatever reason, don't. They are not going to be here forever, and the number of chances, to hear them of their experiences first hand, is diminishing rapidly.
Most veterans, I have spoken to, really don't mind being contacted, just remember, they are older, so don't grill them on the phone for hours, if you can meet with them, then do. Most I have met, are not impartial to a Pint of brown and Foamy, and it does get them talking.
All pilots I've met, be they axis or allied, love talking about their aircraft, first and foremost, they love talking about what they flew, how they flew it etc. A good ice-breaker for me, is "Do you remember your first solo?
I'm told, The Viscount Stansgate ,(Tony Benn to u and me) loves to talk about his first solo, and flying Spitfires, and he is a very approachable man.
Also, sometimes, they are looking to you, the researcher, to fill in the gaps, in THEIR memory, especially if you can back it up.
Avoid hero worship. It embarrasses them, but they are, like any other human being, pleased and flattered, that anyone would be interested, in talking to them about their wartime experiences, especially, as their kids stopped asking a long time ago, because they're bored about the "Bringing a Lancaster back from Bremen on 2 engines" story
So, make that phone call, or send that e-mail today, you won't regret it, and who knows, you might come away, with a happy memory, of a fragile of living History..
Tony
: See:
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: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,60-2001552398,00.html
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: Aeroplane is also announced Hugh Verity (him of SOE/Lysand
: er Fame) has died on November 14th
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: Fly High Guys