PTSD: “The Hidden Legacy of World War II”

Author Carol Schultz Vento

On March 6th, Carol Schultz Vento will share her story on the Voice of Warriors radio program as a daughter of a 82nd Airborne paratrooper, Arthur Dutch Schultz.

Her father was portrayed in The Longest Day and written about in World War II history books. But like most WWII veterans, he did not talk about what is now commonly refer to as Post Traumatic Stress.

She decided to write The Hidden Legacy of World War II about father’s experiences on D-Day, Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. She details how the lasting consequences of the trauma of World War II impacted her family.

Her father’s unacknowledged PTSD led to family turmoil and trauma and it led her to fill in the missing pieces not talked about by the World War II veterans who were stoic and unwavering and rarely talked about their war experiences.

You can tune into VOW Talk Radio on Tuesday, March 6, at 7:00 pm (Eastern) for her interview. You can join in the live chatroom or call in with your comments and questions.

Photos from “7 Incredible Tank Graveyards”

Truly mesmerizing photos of abandoned and rusting tanks. Thanks to EnvironmentalGraffiti.com, an online magazine, which published the article and photos “7 Incredible Tank Graveyards“.

Here’s a close-up of the tank, a leftover from US Navy training exercises that used the tank for target practice. After complaints from locals on Culebra, the Navy moved to the nearby island of Vieques, but the tank remained. Photo courtesy of EnvironmentalGraffiti.com.

From the seas to the desert, below is a photo taken in Kuwait.

This tank is still intact but is far from being in good shape. The commander’s MG, the main gun, the tracks and road wheels are still present, but neglect and the desert elements have taken their toll. Perhaps it was abandoned, or simply broke down. Photo courtesy of EnvironmentalGraffiti.com.

Check out the online article written by Simone Preuss which includes 34 photos of tanks in varying conditions of rust and decay.

WWII tank graveyard in overgrowth near an abandoned Russian military base. Photo courtesy of EnvironmentalGraffiti.com.

You can view all the photos, taken by a variety of different photographers, HERE.

WWII Fighter P-51 Mustang – Listen to Its Engine Roar

The P-51C that is housed at the Fantasy of Flight Museum, Polk City, FL.

In a salute to the three Tuskegee Airmen appearing at Fantasy of Flight, Kermit Weeks flies the attraction’s P-51C Thursday afternoon.

P-51 Fly-By Video

There’s nothing quite like the roar of a P-51 Mustang engine. Tuskegee Airman Leo Gray’s eyes lit up when he heard Weeks fly overhead. The Red Tail pilot called its sound as sweet as honey.

Three Tuskegee Airmen Tell Their Tales, P-51 Fly-By Video

Some of the Tuskegee Airmen from the 332nd Fighter Group were known as Red Tail Angels because the tail of their P-51 Mustang fighter was painted bright red. This one was flown by famous Tuskegee ace pilot Lee Archer and now resides at the Fantasy of Flight Museum in Polk City, FL.

The large open hangar at the Fantasy of Flight aviation attraction was a perfect setting for the three WWII veteran pilots who are all in their 80s. The Tuskegee Airmen were surrounded by vintage aircraft like the P-51 Mustang fighter.

Leo Gray, 87, of Ft. Lauderdale, George Hardy, 86, of Sarasota and Daniel Keel, 89, of Leesburg sat behind a table on an elevated platform looking out at an audience filled with high school students, veterans and members of the community who came to meet them.

All three men are members of the famous African-American air corps that trained in Tuskegee during WWII. Their collective story of battling against the segregated military so they could “go to war” has been told in literature, in documentary films and on Hollywood’s big screen.

Keel talked about one of more memorable moments when he was with the first group of black officers to arrive at a Texas Army base for additional training on bombardiers. He said they were greeted by a white lieutenant colonel who laid down some rules.

Tuskegee Airmen Daniel Keel (L), George Hardy (C), Leo Gray (R) received a standing ovation from the crowd of high school students, veterans and members of the community as they entered for the symposium at Fantasy of Flight.

“One we could not eat in the officers’ mess, two we could not go in the officers’ club, three if we go to the base theater we couldn’t sit in the officers’ section and four, if we go to town, we had to ride in the back of the bus,” Keel said. “I knew I was in trouble as soon as he said that.”

Keel and the other two Tuskegee Airmen are participating in additional public symposiums scheduled Friday and Saturday at Fantasy of Flight at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. just off Exit 44 on Interstate 4.

I’ll have more of their stories over the next few weeks. All three men said they continue to do public forums with the hope of invigorating the younger generation to strive for lofty, worthwhile goals.

P-51 Fly-By Video

If you want to see the P-51 Mustang fly – click HERE. The owner of Fantasy of Flight took the fighter plane up for a fly-by to honor his guests. Unfortunately, I was inside doing interviews and missed the demonstration, but we heard it. Leo’s eyes lit up when he heard the distinctive roar of that Merlin engine roar by outside. The Red Tail pilot called its sound as sweet as honey.

The P-51 Mustang on display outside after the fly-by.

 

Tweeting with the Tuskegee Airmen at Fantasy of Flight

TUSKEGEE, Ala. -- Maj. James A. Ellison returns the salute of Mac Ross of Dayton, Ohio, as he passes down the line during review of the first class of Tuskegee cadets; flight line at U.S. Army Air Corps basic and advanced flying school in 1941. Partial three-quarter left front view from low angle of Vultee BT-13 trainer at left. (U.S. Air Force photo)

They’ve been lionized in literature and films, most recently “Red Tails,” and now Thursday morning several members of the original Tuskegee Airmen will be in Polk City, Florida at Fantasy of Flight for a public forum.

And I will be there too to cover the event live via Twitter. If you can’t make it to the aviation museum to meet these distinguished WWII veterans in person, you can follow their comments and interaction with the audience at the special Twitter hashtag: #TuskegeeTales.

The Tuskegee Airmen scheduled to speak are Leo Gray, 91, of Ft. Lauderdale who served as a consultant on the movie “Red Tails;” Daniel Keel, 89, of Leesburg;  George Hardy, 88, of Sarasota.

The African-American Airmen will talk about their experiences flying bomber cover during WWII while serving in a segregated military. And, they will take questions from the public. Be sure to join me Thursday at 10:30 a.m. (EST) on Twitter at #TuskegeeTales.

Additional forums are planned at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Fantasy of Flight, 1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E. Polk City, FL. 33868 (863)984-3500.

Tuskeegee Airmen Visit the White House, Fantasy of Flight

They’ve been guests at the White House for a screening of the film “Red Tails“, now four Tuskegee airmen are headed to Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.

For a limited three-day event, four of the Tuskegee Airmen will share their stories about serving during WWII when the military was segregated with visitors to the Fantasy of Flight aviation museum in Central Florida. There are only about 50 of the original 1,000 pilots and 200 of the original 15,000 ground crew that made up the Tuskegee Airmen still living.

Original Tuskegee Airmen honored previously at Fantasy of Flight (l to r): Lt. Col. Hiram Mann, Lt. Col. Leo Gray, Lt. Col. Lee Archer and Dr. Roscoe Brown

“The Dared to Fly” program – featuring the Tuskegee Airmen -  is scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday, (Feb. 9-11, 2012). Each day there will be two open forums, at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., which include a question and answer session. Afterward, there will be a meet-and-greet and autograph signings. The forums are open to those who pay admission to the Fantasy of Flight and annual pass holders. Scheduled to appear at Fantasy of Flight are:

• Leo Gray, 91, of Ft. Lauderdale who served as a consultant on the recently released Lucas film, “Red Tails“
• Daniel Keel, 89, of Leesburg
• George Hardy, 88, of Sarasota

Fantasy of Flight also is holding an essay contest with cash prizes for students writing about how the Tuskegee airmen inspire their generation.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host Tuskegee Airmen at a showing of the movie "Red Tails" at the White House, Jan. 13, 2012. Cicero Satterfield is in the second row, far right. White House photo.

Tuskegee Airmen: “They Dared to Fly” Essay Contest

Tuskegee Airmen, 1945. Photo by Toni Frissell. Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction No.: LC-F9-02-4503-330-5 (8-6) Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.

The Tuskegee Airmen have been depicted in books, news stories and films – most recently “Red Tails” by Lucas Films. Now students in 4th through 12th grade have a chance to write their own stories – essays on how the Tuskegee flyers have inspired them. Winners will receive cash prizes.

Fantasy of Flight, a Florida aviation attraction,  is sponsoring the “They Dared to Fly” student essay contest as a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and to honor Black History Month.

You can learn more about how the African-American Airmen helped break down color barriers in the military during WWII at the Library of Congress website. The WWII Tuskegee Airmen and supporters also maintain a website.

Some guidelines for participating in the “They Dared to Fly” Essay Contest:

• The students should describe how the Tuskegee Airmen used the principles of leadership, excellence, advocacy and determination to succeed.
• Or the student can describe how they can use these values to achieve a personal goal of their own.
• Entries will be judged on overall content, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, legibility and penmanship.
• Prizes will be awarded in three age categories: grades 4-5, grades 6-8 and high school.
• First place essayists will receive $100; second place $75 and third place $50.
• Entries must be postmarked or hand delivered prior to 5 p.m. on or before February 20, 2012.
• Mail or drop off entries to Fantasy of Florida, 1400 Broadway Blvd. SE, Polk City, FL 33686

An application form and the contest rules are available HERE.

Additionally, Fantasy of Flight is hosting some original Tuskegee Airmen, including George Hardy of Sarasota for a special symposium series Feb. 9-11, 2012.

Tuskegee Airman to Receive Jet Flyover for Arlington Burial

The Tuskegee Airmen are shown here in training on Jan. 23, 1942. AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps

A Tuskegee Airman and Congressional Gold Medal recipient who shot down two German fighters, Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Luke J. Weathers, Jr., will be buried Friday at Arlington National Cemetery.

The 113th Wing, dubbed the ‘Capital Guardians’ from Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington, will perform a four-jet flyover to honor Weather’s life and service to his country.

Weathers’ story is highlighted – along with dozens of other Tuskegee Airmen – in the new movie “Red Tails.”  The movie is scheduled to be released the same day of his burial.

Information from a 113th Wing Air Guard report and a North Star News article was used in this entry.

Veterans Day: How Do You Define Who Is a Veteran?

Photo courtesy of the VA website.

Who are veterans? They are our next door neighbors, our co-workers, our family members.

An essay by a Navy veteran who saw no combat questioned if she should be considered a veteran in the same breath as a WWII seaman who served on a PT boat in the Pacific.

Alison Derr wrote:

There are very few words that catch me quite like “Veteran”. It’s such a short word, but in today’s world, it means so much and identifies a person in just seven letters.

So, we asked how you define who is a veteran. Here are a few of the responses:

From Motorcycle Enthusiast:

If you have a DD 214 you stepped up to the plate regardless of duty station or MOS.

From Lisa, Veteran U.S. Army:

General Douglas MacArthur gave his famous farewell speech to the cadets of West Point on May 12, 1962 where he spoke about “duty, honor, and country”. I believe his words speaks volumes of the word “Veteran”.

“And what sort of soldiers are those you are to lead?  Are they reliable? Are they brave? Are they capable of victory?  “Their story is known to all of you.  It is the story of the American man-at-arms.  My estimate of him and her (sic) was formed in the battlefields many, many years ago, and has never changed.  I regarded him (her) then, as I regard him now as one of the world’s noblest figures-not only as one of the finest military characters, but also as one of the most stainless.    “His name and fame are the birthright of every American citizen”.  In his youth and strength, his love and loyalty, he gave all that mortality can give.  He needs no eulogy from me, or from any other man.  He has written his own history and written it in red on his enemy’s breast”.

General Douglas MacArthur, May 12, 1962

Veteran: How Do You Define Who Is a Vet?

Alison Derr, a Navy Veteran.

Does a military service member have to experience combat or be part of a life-risking mission to earn the title Veteran? Is it fair to compare the sacrifice of veterans by service branch,  by deployments or the number of years of service? Email me at bobrien@wusf.org with your definition of who is a military Veteran. Send your response by November 9th so  I can publish your answers on Veterans Day.

In a blog entry for the VA blog VAntage, Navy Veteran Alison Derr explains why she’s a little uneasy being called a Vet after four years at sea.

Alison Derr: The Definition of a Veteran

There are very few words that catch me quite like “Veteran”. It’s such a short word, but in today’s world, it means so much and identifies a person in just seven letters. Yesterday, I attended a local job fair that I thought was just for Veterans. However, I learned that it wasn’t specifically for Vets, but that it was sponsored and coordinated by a local Veterans support organization. The job fair was a major bust for me, but I did go with an ulterior motive and that was to support a local Veterans appreciation event held in my county every year.

After I spoke and gave my presentation to promote the event, I hung around to answer any questions from the group. And a few people did, in fact, stay behind to talk to me. A father asked if his teenage daughter, who is contemplating joining the military after high school, could contact me (“Of course!” was my response), another lady introduced herself as a family friend and a young guy who looked like a former Marine asked if he could take a pamphlet. But of everyone who stopped to chat, a very elderly man came by and our conversation went like this:

“Excuse me miss, but I just have to ask….are YOU a Veteran?!” he asked with astonishment in his voice.

“Yes, sir,” I answered. “I served four years in the Navy.”

“I’m a Sailor too!” he said through laughter. “I served during WWII on PT boats!”

You can  read the full VAntage blog entry by Alison Derr HERE.