Patriot Day: September 11, 2010

Interview with Purple Heart Veteran Louis Boria, Jr. at VFW Post 10147 in Apopka, FL May 19th, 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.

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.

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."

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.

Interview with WWII Veteran Lyle Shaffer at the VA Medical Center in Orlando, FL May 26th, 2010. Veteran Schaffer was a Foward 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.

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.

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 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.

Interview with WWII Veteran Clyde Russell McCumber at Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, June 30th, 2010. Veteran McCumber was on his way to church when the war began and was dodging bullets in the Phillipines when the war ended. He served in the Army Air Corps from March 1st, 1943 to March 1st, 1946. He remembers those who didn't come home and gave their life so he could keep on living. Veteran McCumber has an appreciation for our country and all the advantages we have in the United States: "I think America is the greatest!"

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.

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."

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."

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.

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

Interview with World II Veteran Frank D. Harrison at Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, August 8th, 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 VJ Day and wishes we could return to it. He treasures the freedom of living in America and encourages future generations to show more patriotism.

Interview with World War II Veteran Cecil Rice at Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, August 15th, 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."