 Mr. Mark Schaefer is a Colorado Springs school teacher who has a passion for World War II history and the veterans who served our nation. Mark happened to be at the Museum during the tour of a Tuskegee Airmen and asked our staff if the Museum would support the visit of several WWII veterans. The answer was obviously yes and thus began the planning for a special veteran's tour. Mark invited some veterans he knew in the area and informed the leadership at the Southern Colorado chapter of Honor Flight. Ms. Debi Klaers invited some veterans who have been strong supporters of the Museum and took steps to notify the media of this very unique opportunity to see and interview our veterans. The Honor Flight veterans visit was a coordinated effort of Mr. Sal Ingraldi, President, and Ms. Lana Fore-Warkocz, Vice President. These veterans have or will participate in the Honor Flight program which takes them to the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Veterans travel with their assigned volunteer guardian and receive an exceptional visit at no expense to them.
The WWII veterans visiting the Museum were from the United States Army, the Army Air Force, Navy and the Marines. Some saw combat during the war while others served in supporting roles. Our Marine visitor was a part of the Montford Point Marines who were the first to integrate the United States Marine Corps. Shortly after their arrival, the WWII veterans were treated to a close up viewing of the TB-25N Mitchell Bomber named "In the Mood". Mr. Bill Klaers, President and CEO of the Museum, started the Wright R-2600 radial engines so that veterans could hear the sounds of the WWII aviation workhorse. This was a very special experience for veterans and families in attendance.
 | | Boyde Interview |
Many of the veterans agreed to extended interviews by the three television stations filming the event. We expect excerpts from these interviews to be aired over the next few months. Giving these veterans the opportunity to visit the National Museum of World War II Aviation here in Colorado Springs is an important mission which Museum volunteers take seriously. Young men and women who were 18 or 19 years old shortly after Pearl Harbor are now in their 90's. Our docents and restoration volunteers want to hear their stories, display their artifacts, and honor their service with this educational project and museum. Our World War II visitors included:
 | | L-R Stratton, Zecca |
Mr. Donald O. Stratton, United States Navy. Don is a Pearl Harbor Survivor who was 19 years old while on the Battleship USS Arizona. During the attack, he was burned over 65% of his body and in the hospital for a year. Mr. Stratton reenlisted and participated in the D-Day invasion. At this writing there are 13 living USS Arizona survivors. 1,177 men lost their lives during this surprise attack by the Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941.
Mr. Robert Zecca, United States Army Air Forces. Robert was a mechanic on the B-17, Douglas A-20, and B-25.
 | | L-R Wagner, Boyde |
Mr. Ken Wagner, United States Navy. Ken served with Landing Craft Infantry and spent time with the fleet ocean tug USS Chickasaw, ATF 83.
Mr. Jessie Boyde, United States Army.
Mr. Donald Herbert Goede, United States Army Air Forces. Flew with 8th Air Force, 466 Bomb Group.
 | | Goede |
Mr. Adoph Wolff, United States Army. Member of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 397th Infantry Division and the 100th Infantry Division. He is a proud member of the Sons of Bitche who took a stone citadel overlooking Bitche, France, from the Germans. Mr. Wolff is 98 years of age.
 | | Wolf, Jensen, Masias |
Mr. Le Roy Jensen, United States Army. Member of the 444th Field Artillery during World War II.
Mr. Jess Masias, United States Army.
 | | Holten, Cook, Price, Durden |
Mr. Ed Holten, United States Navy. Ed joined the Navy at 17 years of age and served on a destroyer.
Mr. Bob Cook, United States Navy. Served on the aircraft carrier, USS Princeton (CVL-23), as the Air Defense Officer and Air Controller.
Mr. Elden Price, United States Navy. Served as a Naval Aviator and wrote a book titled Senior Birdman, The Guy Who Just Had To Fly. His book won the excellence in independent publishing award.
Mr. Roland Durden, United States Marine Corps. Mr. Durden completed his Marine Corps training at Camp Montford Point, North Carolina, in 1944. President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802 on June 25, 1941 which made racial discrimination by government agencies illegal. The Marine Corps had only been open to white males for the previous 167 years. The Marine Corps leadership resisted integration but was forced to create a Blacks only training facility close to Camp Lejeune. The first Black recruit arrived August 6, 1942. Mr. Durden received harsh and degrading training but served his country with honor. Approximately 20,000 Marines passed through Montford Point before it was closed in 1949 and training was integrated. The Montford Point Marines are just recently receiving the recognition they earned during World War II. Mr. Durden proudly displays his replica of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Montford Point Marines.
 | | Royal |
Mr. Frank Royal, United States Army Air Forces.Commander of the 39th Fighter Squadron at Papua, New Guinea, during World War II.His squadron received the first Lockheed P-38s in the theater.The aircraft were a significant improvement over the P-39 Air Cobras that the unit had been flying.A P-38 Lightning named "White 33" was a squadron fighter flown by many of the "Aces" of the war.That aircraft was located and returned to the United States where it is currently under restoration to flying condition.Colonel Royal has been reunited with the aircraft which is at WestPacRestorations and is included in the Museum tour.The aircraft should be flying early in 2014.
 | | Pease |
Mr. Howard Pease, United States Navy. Howard served on the USS Tarazed (AF-13) which was a refrigerator ship carrying supplies to Sicily, England, and Iceland.
You and your friends can help by making every effort to get that World War II veteran that you know to the Museum. Our Museum focus is the Home Front and Aviation so we are also looking for all who supported the war effort here in the United States. Women played a key role in the factories designing, manufacturing, and flying the aircraft that were being produced at amazing rates.
|
