I am currently working on a feature piece regarding an annual trip World War II veterans from our county venture on every spring. It's called the honor flight, a trip that is organized by various regional hubs to escort veterans to the WWII memorial in Washington D.C.
So today, I spent an hour on the phone interviewing two wonderful men from the war. The textbook information lifted off the history books and began to breathe with real memories as these men told their story. Their voices were shaky, but their minds were sharp. I had to speak slowly, but even better...I had to listen slowly. My heart broke just a little as they spoke patiently, articulately and passionately about their voyage. They all know that their bit of history is falling further away as 1,000 veterans pass away every day! Their stories, well, they pass too unless we capture them. I had that moment today. I captured two. I am not sure I am done. After a few minutes with these men I felt like I had been touched by something precious, it can't be explained. There were tears in my eyes ( not exactly a hard core reporter.) But I didn't want to be. These men had traveled the world, sacrificed so much and here they were thanking me profusely for working on an article (humbling).
I aim to deliver their articles personally, at least I would like to. I want to shake their hand ( eh, I know me..I'll hug em).
I'll post the article once it is published. I won't do it justice. But, I'll try.
A quote from one that I am sure to use:
"I hope future generations see this memorial," he said. "Freedom was not free. It had to be paid for."
2 comments:
Wow, I would love to read your article. My grandfather fought in World War II and I recently got to read the letters he sent to his family. What a delight and treasure!
:)
I am so thankful you appreciate them. Our history is so valuable. I love listening to mom talk about "back then", when she is gone we will have lost a huge piece of our history!!!!
mom
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