Tag: War Bonds

War Bonds

Hard To Keep Up With the Greatest Generation

Cindy Hval

Charlie Mitson, hat, low resWent to return some photos to Charlie and Mable Mitson this week. Their story is told in chapter 31 of War Bonds.
Charlie, pictured here in France, 1945, served as a paratrooper during WWII. After the war he entered the newly formed Air Force and became a pilot. He flew combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam War.
When I arrived Mable gave me a hug. I asked where her husband was. She said,”Oh, he’s installing a hot water heater at our grandson’s house.”
Charlie is 90.
There’s a reason we call these folks the Greatest Generation.

 

War Bonds

Meet an Eyewitness to the Beginning and the End of WWll

Cindy Hval

Bud GarvinI had the incredible honor of interviewing Bud Garvin, 99, this week. Bud was eyewitness to the beginning of WWll at Pearl Harbor and was liberating a concentration camp in Germany when the war ended in Europe. BudOmaha Beach– The Battle of the Bulge– Bud was there. Though he’ll celebrate his 100th birthday next month, his recollection of his time of service is still sharp. He is a gracious, funny and generous man and I count myself beyond blessed to have spent time with him.

War Bonds

More wit from the Greatest Generation

Cindy Hval

This weekend I called the wife of a 99 year-old Pearl Harbor survivor to schedule an interview. She repeated the details back to me and I said, “You’ve got it.”
She laughed and replied, “Honey, I lost it so long ago, I don’t even remember having it!”

When I’m an old woman, I don’t care if I wear purple with a red hat, I just want to be as fun and witty as these folks are. How wonderful to retain the ability to see the humor in life, even when other vision fails.

War Bonds

Thankful for those who serve

Cindy Hval
This Thanksgiving I’m so very thankful for the 35 World War ll veterans and their wives who shared their stories with me in “War Bonds.”
Folks like Melvin Hayes, pictured here with his son, Butch while home on a brief leave.
Hayes on leave with son Butch, 1945, low res
Melvin was 27 when he was drafted and had to leave his wife and son behind. Holidays are an especially difficult time to be separated from loved ones.
Tomorrow, as you gather ’round your tables, perhaps one of the things you might be thankful for are the men and women who served or continue to serve, their country so selflessly.
I know I am.

 

War Bonds

Amazing Women Served in World War ll

Cindy Hval

Vi, 1943Violet Shipman Roskelly

Women like Violet Shipman Roskelly donned uniforms and served their countries with grit and determination.

This British war bride met her husband when they were both serving their respective countries. She wasn’t too impressed with American GI’s. “They were a bit too friendly for me,” she said.

That changed when she met Fenton Roskelley while on a walk in Cornwall. You’ll read their story in Chapter 3 of War Bonds, “The Luck of the Draw.”

For years after our initial interview my phone would ring and this lovely British voice would say, “Cindy? Darling, it’s Vi. How ARE you dearest?”


Vi died July 27, 2012.

 

War Bonds

Dying Vet Rallies

Cindy Hval

001 The most amazing thing happened yesterday. I’m still processing it. This summer I wrote about my visit to WWII Vet Nick Gaynos. Nick was on his deathbed. Here’s the column I wrote about that visit.

Yesterday, I went to return his photos. His caretaker met me at the door. “Come in,” she said, smiling. Her eyes sparkled. “Nick’s at the kitchen table reading the newspaper. He’ll be so happy to see you!”

Stunned, I just looked at her. “But. He was dying!” I said. Shaking her head she said, “I know! But not anymore. He’s 96 and the only medication he takes is vitamin supplements!”

I walked into the kitchen and there sat Nick, now with a scruffy beard. “Hello, there,” he said. Tears filled my eyes. I said, “Oh, Nick, I came to see in July, but I don’t think you knew I was here. I just held your hand for a bit.”

His eyes clouded. “Tex died, you know.” (His wife had died on June 3rd.) “Yes, I know. I’m so sorry.” He sighed. “She was an amazing woman.” I spread out the photos that will be used in War Bonds.

He lingered over Tex’s picture. “Oh, I knew I was in trouble when I saw her.” I pointed to a photo of him with two other soldiers. “Ah,” he said. “California. Those two had come down from Washington to inspect my operations.”

Laughing, I said, “It sure looks like you were in charge.” He replied, “Well. That’s the way I always looked.”

We visited a bit and I promised to return to bring him his copy of War Bonds. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

So am I, Nick. So am I.

War Bonds

Never Forget

Cindy Hval

Wayne said, “We followed a lot of fighting as we went up the island. The Japanese were still strafing Kadena.”
But he did as he’d been taught and laid face down in a bunker when under fire. He didn’t lose any of his wire team. “We lucked out,” he said. “The other part of the company lost a couple guys.”

He grew quiet and glanced out his living room window. “Some parts you don’t remember– some parts will be in your mind forever.” ~ Wayne Best.

From chapter five of War Bonds. Thank you to our veterans. May we never forget.

War Bonds

Greatest Generation = Greatest Sense of Humor

Cindy Hval

Betty Driscoll Ratzman low resBetty Driscoll Ratzman

Caught up with this lovely War Bonds bride this afternoon while returning the photoss she’d loaned me for the book.
I told her the publisher is still hoping for a Valentine’s Day release of War Bonds.

She replied, “Well, they better hurry up with that. Dean just told me he never wanted a 90-year-old wife. I told him, ‘Well, I never wanted to be one!'”
They’ve been married 68 years!

War Bonds

Naval Aviator and WWII hero Robbie Robinson, dies

Cindy Hval

Chpt 35 Robbie Robinson - Copy

Just learned that Naval aviator Robbie Robinson passed away last week.
Robbie survived a horrific plane crash in the Pacific during WWII. Here’s an excerpt from his chapter “Wings of Gold.”

Robbie took off from his ship, the U.S.S Manila Bay with a full payload of bombs. The crew didn’t spot any enemy activity and at dusk they headed back to the ship.

The weight of the explosives made an already tricky landing more difficult. As they made their approach, Robbie knew they were in trouble. “Without warning the plane lurched and trembled. Like a goose hit in the wing by a volley of shot we plummeted into the Pacific with terrifying finality.”

The plane smashed into the water, shattering on impact. Cascades of water tossed him about like limp seaweed. Blown from the aircraft and barely conscious, he tripped the release on one side of his May West lifejacket, and it partially inflated, supporting his head.

He was plucked from the sea by the crew of a nearby destroyer. Later that night he learned that his radioman, George Driesback Jr., and his gunner, Harold Eckert, had been killed on impact. “They never had a chance,” he said. “They were in the belly of the plane.”

RIP Robbie Robinson. Thank you for your service and for sharing your story with me.