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When I arrived bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to my first duty
station Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota as a photojournalist in
the world’s greatest Air Force, I was eager to tell peoples’
stories. While tackling what I believed to be one of my first real,
in-depth features, I was told by my supervisor to track down a World
War II veteran who could add to the story.
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National World War II Memorial, Washington, D.C. (May 26, 2004) –
Established by the American Battle Monuments Commission, the
memorial honors all military veterans of World War II, the citizens
on the home front, the nation at large, and the high moral purpose
and idealism that motivated the nation’s call to arms. On May 29,
2004, the memorial will be formally dedicated with an estimated
200,000 people expected to attend, and includes 100,000 visiting
veterans of all wars. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd
Class Daniel J. McLain)
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My current project was a fact-heavy history piece about
the 8th Air Force’s involvement in WWII. I thought my story
was good as it was, but I humored my supervisor and started
making calls.
A week later and I was driving downtown
to pick up the 89-year-old B-17 Flying Fortress ball turret
gunner who was supposed to add value to my “already perfect”
article. I had always been good talking with senior
citizens. My grandfather, who also served during WWII, lived
with us growing up, so conversation and interaction was
natural and comfortable. In fact, in many ways he reminded
me of my grandfather, which allowed me to take to the
gentleman instantly. Almost four hours later without a
single dull moment, I knew Leo was someone I wanted to spend
time with again. So I did.
Leo and I spoke often. We
had dinner and met with him and his friends for breakfast.
We exchanged Christmas gifts and I brought him as my date to
base events. As often as my schedule allowed, I made a point
to spend time together. When he told me stories about the
war or just life in general, I was like a sponge, eager to
soak up every ounce of information. He quickly became one of
my favorite people in the world.
Over the next four
years our friendship grew strong and I began to consider Leo
family. He appreciated me involving him in military-life
things like the Air Force Ball or Air Force Association
banquets. I cherished his company and stories. Little did I
know, throughout those years, he was teaching me a lesson I
wasn’t able to learn earlier in life.
My grandfather
had always wanted to share war stories. He would comment,
“When I was in the Navy…” but instantly I tuned out. I was a
teenager who didn’t care much for history. When I was 18
years old and leaving for college my grandpa passed away. I
was deeply saddened and mourned his death, but never
realized what I lost until I met Leo nearly a decade later.
Leo taught me that history does matter and those stories
are important. He taught me that we make choices in life
today, especially as service members, because of those who
paved the way for us. He showed me what resiliency is and
how courage and perseverance can overcome all. But most
importantly, he taught me how to cherish the people in our
lives.
A few weeks ago, when I received the news Leo
had passed, I was initially regretful. I was ashamed I
didn’t call or spend more time with him. Part of me thought
back to my grandfather’s death, and how Leo enlightened me
with what my grandfather’s stories could have given me, if
only I had listened. I felt a twinge of pain then too. But,
as I sat in the church and watched the American flag being
folded and handed off to Leo’s children, the sadness and
regret washed away with pride. I was proud of all that Leo
had accomplished throughout his 92-year-long life. Most
importantly, I was proud and honored to call him a friend.
Leo is responsible for making my time in Minot special.
He made my very first feature article immeasurably better
than what it was without him. He made my life better.
Americans like Leo, who have seen and survived things we can’t
even fathom ... live to share their stories with us. We call them
... the Greatest Generation!
Leo taught me why.
By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Apryl Hall
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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