Flag Day: June 14, 2010

WWII Veterans from Central Florida share their love for our country, their respect for the U.S. Flag and their thankfulness for those who died for our freedom.

WWII Veteran Robert Brodrick Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran Robert Brodrick at VFW 4287 in Orlando, FL, Memorial Day 2010. Veteran Brodrick served in the U.S. Army as a Platoon Sergeant in Europe during WWII. He recalls in detail firsthand experiences liberating the first big town in France, Nancy, (the Battle of Nancy in 1944) and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge – Operation Market Basket. He shares his military experiences in Belgium, France, Holland, and Germany where he got hit with shrapnel on Dec.10th and was back on the frontline on Dec.16th. Veteran Brodrick is thankful “to all the buddies who sacrificed their life to give me this freedom”. He currently serves in the Honor Guard at
VFW 4287.

LISTEN (17:33)

WWII Veteran Rocco Covello Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran Rocco Covello at VFW 4287 in Orlando, FL, Memorial Day, 2010. Veteran Covello served in WWII in the 4th Infantry Division in Germany. He recalls waiting to go on the frontline at Camp Lucky Strike replacement camp when the war ended. Veteran Covello values serving his country and presently serves in the Honor Guard a VFW 4287. He enjoys the quiet of life in Orlando with his wife and two daughters.

LISTEN (4:44)

WWII Veteran Jack W. Cropp and his wife Pat

Interview with WWII Veteran Jack W. Cropp at Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, May 30th, 2010, Memorial Day. Veteran Cropp served in the U.S. Army in WWII and the Korean War. He was a Staff Sergeant. He shares his memories of seeing the Golden Gate Bridge when coming back to the U.S. from his tour of duty in the Pacific, the good experiences he had in the military and the good life he enjoys today in Orlando.

LISTEN (12:06)

WWII Veteran James Ferguson Interview

WWII Veteran James Ferguson at VFW Post 10147 in Apopka, FL, May 19th, 2010. Veteran Ferguson joined the Navy in 1944. He went to aerial flight school, worked as a backseat gunner in WWII and later became a nuclear weapons technician working on the VC8, the first airplane equipped with nuclear capability. Veteran Ferguson retired as Chief Petty Officer and served his country in the Fleet Reserve for ten years.

LISTEN (12:50)

WWII Veteran Gerry Hosford and his wife Gloria

Interview with WWII Veteran Gerry Hosford at Delaney Street Baptist Church, Orlando, FL, May 30th, 2010. Veteran Hosford served in the Army Air Corps working on aircraft such as B-10’s and the Keystone Bomber. He served as a crew chief, gunner, test engineer, and staff sergeant. He recalls Orlando as a small town in the 1960’s and today says of Orlando, “It is a wonderful place to be!”

LISTEN (14:01)

WWII Veteran William R. Meisel Interview

Interview with WWII and Korean War Veteran William R. Meisel at VFW Post 10147 in Apopka, FL, May 19th, 2010. Veteran Meisel served in seven major battles throughout the Pacific. He worked as an explosive building supervisor, a Boatswain’s Mate in the U.S. Navy, an occupation force in Japan, and joined the U.S. Coast Guard as a Chief Petty Officer in 1948. He retired from the Coast Guard in June 1965. His grandson is currently on his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan.

LISTEN (12:40)

WWII Veteran Lyle Shaffer Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran Lyle Shaffer at the VA Medical Center in Orlando, FL May 26th, 2010. Veteran Schaffer was a Forward Observer with an observation point on the Rhine River during the WWII combat in Germany. He shares his love for America and the freedom made possible by U.S. soldiers in this interview.

LISTEN (11:20)

WWII Veteran Audrey Tracy Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran Audrey Tracy in Orlando, FL June 6th, 2010, D-Day. Veteran Tracy served in the U.S. Marine Corps in WWII and worked at Marine Headquarters in Washington, DC. She was one of a select group of women who enlisted to serve their country and “Free a Marine to Fight”. These women took on office responsibilities in the military so men could go to combat and fight. She remembers the impressive military funerals at Arlington Cemetery and the sadness of seeing so many lives lost. Veteran Tracy was on base at Henderson Hall when the news broke that the war was over on August 14th, 1945. She recalls the excitement of getting a bus to Washington and celebrating with everyone in front of the White House. She is thankful for our wonderful country and believes when we come together as in WWII we can do anything.

LISTEN (17:51)

WWII Veteran Ortenzio A. Vecchio Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran Ortenzio A. Vecchio at VFW Post 10147 in Apopka, FL, My 19th 2010. Veteran Vecchio served with General Patton in the Third Army Division, Battalion 777. Ortenzio A. Vecchio was born in Italy and came to the U.S. at age 10. He refused to go to Italy during WWII because of his relatives and was sent to the white cliffs of Dover then to France and Germany. Veteran Vecchio shares his love for America and reflects on the meaning of Memorial day: “saying prayers for those who fought and died for our country.”

LISTEN (9:34)