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Patriot Day: September 11, 2010

Patriots throughout Orlando share their love and pride for our wonderful country! Hear firsthand what they treasure about living in the United States of America from those who  fought for , our freedom in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War.

Interviews conducted at Delaney Street Baptist Church, Orlando V.A. Medical Center, VFW Post 2093, St. Richards Episcopal Church, St. James Cathedral, VFW Post 10147, and VFW Post 4287.

LISTEN (12:06) Jack W. Cropp – Delaney Street Baptist Church, May 30, 2010

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 (10:25) Frank D. Harrison – Delaney Street Baptist Church, August 8, 2010

Veteran Harrison retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving his country for 25 years in the United States Air Force. Serving our country is the most proud accomplishment of his life. He served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He says, “I was never personally a hero, but I had the very great honor of serving with some of our nation’s greatest heroes”. He recalls flying with WWII flying ace Richard Bong and General Chesley Peterson, the first American Commander of the RAF Eagle Squadron. Veteran Harrison remembers the patriotism present at the time of VJ (Victory in Japan) Day and wishes we could return to it. He treasures the freedom of living in America and enjoys the climate of Orlando where you can play golf year around.

 

LISTEN (17:38)  Cecil Rice – Delaney Street Baptist Church, August 15, 2010

Veteran Rice served as a Pharmacy Mate in the United States Navy and on the H.M.A.S., His Majesty’s Australian Ship, Warramunga. Australia did not have any medical technicians of their own so the United States loaned them some. Veteran Rice’s tour of duty in the U.S. Navy included working in hospitals and with the invasion forces in Borneo, New Guinea, throughout the Philippines and the South China Sea. Regarding his military service he says, “Makes you proud to do your little bit for your country… I treasure living in a free country. It has been good to me.” He hopes future generations will do the same thing he did and a lot of fellow people who served in WWII: “I’d like them to protect our country.”

 

LISTEN (23:29)  Alex Coomer – VFW Post 2093, June 25, 2010

Interview with WWII and Korean War Veteran Liston “Alex” Coomer at VFW 2093 in Orlando, FL, June 25th, 2010. Veteran Coomer flew with Captain Chuck Yeager, worked as a flight engineer on B-29’s, B-50’s, B-36’s, C-124’s, earned his million mile certificate and retired as a Master Sergeant. He recalls learning to fly on a KR 21 paperwing biplane at John Roberts airport in Honolulu, Hawaii in July 1941 and went on to serve in the Administrative Flight Section in Dayton, Ohio. Regarding his experience serving our country, he says, “I’d do it again any day.”

 


ABOVE: Attorney Frank Pyle and daughter LizzieI

LISTEN (10:00)  Frank Pyle – Delaney Street Baptist Church, June 30, 2010

Veteran Pyle served 26 years in the U.S. military and shares his experiences as a military lawyer including assignments such as visiting American GI’s in German prisons. He remembers well those who have sacrificed for their country. As a WWII buff he recounts the personal memories of servicemen who served in WWII fighting so hard for the guy next to him. He says, “Stand up for your country. Stand up for your servicemen…. Living in the United States is incomparable to anywhere else.”

 


LISTEN (17:51)  Audrey Bayer Tracy – D-Day June 6, 2010

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 (11:19)  Lyle Shaffer – V.A. Medical Center, May 26, 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. Lyle passed away on October 21, 2010.

 

LISTEN (15:57)  Walter Reinhold – V.A. Medical Center, May 26, 2010

Veteran Walter Reinhold  relates his experiences in the U.S. Army serving in the makeshift military government in Munich and his first driving lesson: when he was ordered to drive a vehicle across the Rhine river.

 

LISTEN (28:57)  Luis Boria – VFW Post 10147, May 19, 2010

Veteran Louis Boria served as a Sergeant in the U. S. Marine Corps in World War II and the Korean War. He received two Purple Hearts for his service to his country. His four sons and his brother all became Marines. He lost one son in the Vietnam War. Veteran Boria reflects on his military experiences and the meaning of Memorial Day.

 

LISTEN (12:40)  William R. Meisel – VFW Post 10147, May 19, 2010

Veteran Meisel served in seven major battles throughout the Pacific and recalls some of his more memorable experiences. His grandson is currently on his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan and is due to come home at the end of June 2010. Veteran Meisel shares his love for the military, his country and his community in this interview.

 

LISTEN (9:33)  Ortenzio A. Vecchio – VFW 10147, May 19, 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 (5:32)  Marv Suriff – VFW 10147, May 19, 2010

Veteran Suriff served in the U.S. Air Force in Thailand and Vietnam. He values the comradeship of the military and the discipline he learned while serving his country.

 

LISTEN (10:28)  William M. Turner – Delaney Street Baptist Church, June 30, 2010

Veteran Turner served in both WWII and the Korean War. During WWII he trained in aviation and during the Korean War was part of the 278 Regimental Combat Team from Cleveland, TN. Serving his country gave gave him the opportunity to go to college under the GI Bill of Rights. He earned an engineering degree from the University of Tennessee and a degree in electrical engineering from John Hopkins University. Later he and his wife and two daughters moved to Orlando so he could work for the Martin Company now known as Lockheed Martin. He shares his story of meeting a Civil War veteran in Tennessee and reflects on all the people who have offered their lives so that we could be a free nation: The United States of America.

 


ABOVE: WWII Veteran Gerry Hosford and wife Gloria Hosford

LISTEN (14:00) Gerald J. Hosford – Delaney Street Baptist Church, May 30, 2010

Veteran Hosford served as Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps during WWII working on aircraft such as B-10’s and the Keystone Bomber. He recalls being on a date in a movie theater in Shreveprt, LA when the news broke out: “Pearl Harbor has been bombed. All military report to base.” His date was surprised because he hadn’t told her he was in the military. Mr. Hosford remembers Orlando as a small town when he came in the 1960s and today he says Orlando, “Is a wonderful place to be!”

 


ABOVE: Veteran John Broderick and his wife Patricia Broderick

Veteran John Broderick served in the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers 504 Division out of Fort Bragg. John J. Broderick was in his second year of medical school when he left school to enlist and serve his country in WWII. Veteran Broderick was injured at the Battle of the Bulge and received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat.

Video interview with Patricia Broderick, wife of veteran John J. Broderick at the Orlando V. A. Medical Center, on May 26, 2010.  Part I    Part II

 

LISTEN (17:32) Robert Broderick – VFW Post 4287, May 31, 2010

Veteran Robert 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.

 


ABOVE: Veteran Keat Spriggs

LISTEN (17:38)    Keat Spriggs – Delaney Street Baptist Church, June 27, 2010

Veteran Spriggs served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during WWII aboard the USS 20 until it was decommissioned in Boston after the war. He really appreciates that he could serve our country against a nation that had shown its power against us back in 1941. He recalls Orlando as a small town when he came here with his wife in 1959 when the highways were all two lane roads. He worked for Martin Marietta for 30 years and retired in 1987. He is proud that we are a nation that helps people and has a great appreciation for being an American.

 

Floyd O. Johnson – St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park, July 3, 2010

LISTEN  Part I  (20:13) 

LISTEN  Part II  (26:00)

LISTEN Part III (20:00)

WATCH YouTube video.

Veteran Johnson joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 in July 1943 and went on to fly as a Tail Gunner for 30 years. He worked in torpedo bombers in the U.S. Navy and B-26’s, B-29’s, B-36’s, and B-52’s in the U.S. Air Force. Veteran Johnson served in WWII, the Korean War, and five tours of duty in the Vietnam War. Veteran Johnson was part of the 11th Bomb Wing selected to fly over President Harry Truman’s inauguration on January 20th, 1949 and recalls what is was like to fly from Texas to Washington, DC with 11 reporters on board. He is proud to have served his country and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant from the U.S. Air Force. His advice is: “Pay attention to your superiors. most of them are well intentioned people. You can learn from them and what they have to say. Life itself is – especially in this country- really great!”

 

Tom Connors – St. James Cathedral Church, July 1, 2010.

LISTEN Part I (16:52)

LISTEN Part II (15:58)

LISTEN Part III (18:13)

Veteran Connors served in the Southwest Pacific during the war in extremely native areas such as New Guinea and Okinawa. He is the only living survivor from the original  WWII Navy USS Subchaser 743. Hear his firsthand detailed account of landing in New Britain, delivering mail through New Guinea, listening to Tokyo Rose, seeing the Bob Hope Show in New Guinea and meeting Russian female soldiers on a train from Manchuria. Veteran Connors shares his memories of the crew and ships he experienced while serving his country.

 

LISTEN (24:05)  Jerry Kinsley – St. James Cathedral, August 12, 2010. 

Veteran Kinsley served in the 90th Naval Construction Battalion in and around Japan. A contractor by profession, Mr. Kinsley was at work building the plant for the atomic bomb when he quit to serve in the military. He saw many boys coming back from the war who had lost limbs and he thought “I got to do something to help”. He went directly to the volunteer office on Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando and volunteered. A week after bootcamp he was in Pearl Harbor: “It was pretty well shot up. I saw a lot of ships on their sides in the harbor.”

 


LISTEN (19:28)   Mario Mesa at his home in Orlando, August 28, 2010

Veteran Mesa landed at Normandy on D-Day at Fox Green Beach with the 6th Beach Battalion. His two superior officers were killed in battle and Veteran Mesa took charge in their place. Veteran Mesa was at the International Dateline when WWII ended. He left the Navy in 1946 then joined the Reserves in 1950. He spent 38 years serving his country in the U.S. Navy and loved it! He retired as a Chief Boatswain’s Mate, BMC, USN.

 

LISTEN (3:07)  Lou Toth at Orlando VA Medical Center, May 26, 2010

Veteran Toth, TSGT Louis Toth, US Army Paratrooper, served in WWII, the Korean War, and retired as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army. During WWII he landed on Utah Beach and was taken prisoner of war by the Germans in Normandy. He shares his war experiences while serving his country. Nationally recognized for his award winning stories, Veteran Toth resides at the Orlando VA Community Living Center and participated in the Hospitalized Veterans Writing Project.

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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...

WWII Veteran Jack W. Cropp and wife Pat

Interview with WWII Veteran Jack W. Cropp at Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, May 30th, 2010, Memorial Day. Veteran Cropp...

WWII Veteran Frank D. Harrison

Interview with World War II Veteran Frank D. Harrison at Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, August 8th, 2010. Veteran Harrison...

Attorney Frank Pyle and daughter LizzieI

Interview with attorney Frank Pyle at Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, June 30th, 2010. Mr. Pyle served 26 years in...

Interview with WWII Veteran William M. Turner

Interview with WWII Veteran William M. Turner at Delaney Street Baptist Church, June 30th, 2010. Veteran Turner served in both WWII and...

WWII Veteran John J. Broderick and Wife Patricia Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran John J. Broderick's wife, Patricia, at Orlando VA Medical Center, May 26th, 2010. Veteran Broderick served in the...

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...

WWII Veteran Keat Spriggs Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran Keat Spriggs at Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, June 27th, 2010. Veteran Spriggs served in the...

WWII Veteran Floyd O. Johnson Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran Floyd O. Johnson at Saint Richard's Episcopal Church in Winter Park, FL, July 3rd, 2010. Veteran Johnson joined the...

WWII Veteran Tom Connors Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran Tom Connors at St. James Cathedral Church, Orlando, FL, July 1st, 2010. Veteran Connors served in the Southwest Pacific...

WWII Veteran Jerry Kinsley

Interview with World War II Veteran Jerry Kinsley at St. James Cathedral in Orlando, FL, August 12th, 2010.

WWII Veteran Mario J. Mesa, BMC

WWII Veteran Mario J. Mesa, BMC

WWII Veteran and German Prisoner of War Lou Toth Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran and German Prisoner of War Lou Toth at Orlando VA Medical Center, May 26th, 2010.

Attorney Frank Pyle Interview

Interview with attorney Frank Pyle at Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, June 30th, 2010. Mr. Pyle served 26 years in the military and shares his experiences as a military lawyer including assignments such as visiting American GI's in German prisons. He remembers well those who have sacrificed for their country. As a WWII buff he recounts the personal memories of servicemen who served in WWII fighting so hard for the guy next to him. He says, "Stand up for your country. Stand up for your servicemen.... Living in the United States is incomparable to anywhere else."




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 and recalls the excitement of getting 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.




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.




WWII Veteran Walter Reinhold

Veteran Walter Reinhold relates his experiences in the U.S. Army serving in the makeshift military government in Munich and his first driving lesson: when he was ordered to drive a vehicle across the Rhine river.




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 and recalls some of his more memorable experiences. His grandson is currently on his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan and is due to come home at the end of June 2010. Veteran Meisel shares his love for the military, his country and his community in this interview.




WWII Veteran Ortenzio A. Vecchio Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran Ortenzio A. Vecchio at VFW Post 10147 in Apopka, FL, May 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."




Vietnam Veteran Marv Suriff Interview

Interview with Vietnam Veteran Marv Suriff at VFW Post 10147 in Apopka, FL, May 19th, 2010. Veteran Suriff served in the U.S. Air Force in Thailand and Vietnam. His more memorable experiences include facing enemy fire from across the border and the great comradeship in the military. He reflects on the meaning of Memorial Day and the discipline he learned while serving his country.




WWII Veteran William M. Turner Interview

Interview with WWII Veteran William M. Turner at Delaney Street Baptist Church, June 30th, 2010.

Veteran Turner served in both WWII and the Korean War. During WWII he trained in aviation and during the Korean War was part of the 278 Regimental Combat Team from Cleveland, TN. Serving his country gave him the opportunity to go to college under the GI Bill of Rights. He earned an engineering degree from the University of Tennessee and a degree in electrical engineering from John Hopkins University. Later he and his wife and two daughters moved to Orlando so he could work for the Martin Company now known as Lockheed Martin.

He shares his story of meeting a Civil War Veteran in Tennessee and his gratitude for all the people who have offered their lives so that we could be a free nation.




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