Maybe people here are interested--I'm a physician (anesthesiologist) for
the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and part of the privilege of such a
post is getting to hear the veterans' stories. One of my patients is
now 101, he was an enlisted-man pilot during WWII. Of all dreadful
jobs, he was an artillery spotter, flying L4-As (he says Piper Cubs, I
assume he means in military designation) at about 50', radioing back
"hit" reports to the artillery crews. I can't imagine many of his
comrades survived the war. He returned to school after, took a master's
degree in education, had a forty year career as a professor of education
at University of Akron.

He's in pretty good shape other than being blind, and lives in a VA
nursing home. I had him in for a small surgery on a Friday afternoon
about a year ago, and he was slow recovering from his anesthetic, so I
had him admitted overnight. He accepted this but was slightly
irritated, as Saturdays were his day to hold court at the nursing home
and he didn't want to miss it. Seems all the other residents and their
families circle around him then to hear his stories and perhaps tell
their own. I can only imagine the scenes.

The geriatrics department had a party for him for his 100th birthday, he
gave a speech and sang a few songs. The American Legion presented
colors, and several dignitaries from the Department of Veterans' Affairs
attended and spoke. It's been fun getting to know him over the past
several years.

I'm not posting his name because I don't have an easy way of asking him
permission to do so. I can inquire at the nursing home if readers here
are interested.

Thanks, Bill, for posting the plaque photos.

David

Bill wrote:
Enlisted Stories Bronze Memorial Markers from the Parade Field at Lackland
Air Force Base San Antonio, TX. on a nice warm San Antonio February
Day.
Mr. Bill