Building for someone else....

Most gentlemen at the VFW are more than happy to sit down and talk about their experiences. If you don't know someone in particular, they probably will, and you have the great chance to meet interesting people with extraordinary stories to tell. Just contact your local VFW and ask when they have their meetings. They should be glad to help.

Jeeves,

Maybe you could just build a model for your local VFW as a display. It would be as nice a gesture of appreciation and would give you a chance to meet some WWII vets.

I built a 1/72 Hurricane and mounted it for a woman I know. She worked repairing fabric aircraft sections for De Havilland during the war and still remembers the gauges and length of linen required for the fuselage and wings.

She lent me some documents and photos about her time there, so I built the model for her in return. Needless to say, she was dead chuffed , and of the few models I've made so far, it was the on I enjoyed building the most. It was also my first to feature some aftermarket stuff, as I gave it the squadron code and fuselage number from one of the photos.

I say go for it. You'll really make someone's day. You might have to tread carefully (e.g. like a pilot's best friend was later killed in the same plane) and do some research, but on the whole, I think it's a really good, personal gift to make for someone.

One note, from experience, is to mount the model with some sort of cover. The things do collect dust, and aerials and pitot tubes don't stand up well to a duster and a blast of Mr Sheen!

My wife suggested this to me as well-- visiting the VFW....I guess my main reason for not doing it yet was that I was unsure how to go about initiating it....any ideas?

Jeeves,

Just give them a call. Most of them have parties, get togethers, reunions and the like. Any that I've talked to have been more than gracious. You could also try telling them that you are doing research for a project.

If you don't want to try the VFW, try your local church. You should find several veterans. Believe it or not, about half of my local elderly congregation were in the military at some time.

Jeeves,
Go to the VFW!!! ASK THEM if someone would like a model built of a machine they worked on or operated.
I guarantee you'll get nothing but enthusiastic responses.
These veterans will often enjoy telling you all about their experiences. There's an added bonus - you'll learn something as well!!
These veterans have lived through incredible changes in our world - and have seen things that are now gone forever - things we will never see - they are a goldmine of information about the history of your country, and the history of a culture - a priceless asset (in some cultures they are called "living treasures").
I used to talk for hours with Gampa (who drove LST's and LCM's during the island hopping in the Pacific while in the SeaBees) and he always had amazing stories, mostly about life prior to the war and after the war.
He would have loved for me to make him an LST, complete with a load of tanks or trucks.
So, go ahead. You'll only make friends. That's a good thing, isn't it?
Cheers,
LeeTree

You bet....

OK guys-- I am game-- what's the worst they can do except tell me to go to hell ;)

Try a local Armed Services Recruiting Station. My brother-in-Law is a Navy recruiter. I volunteered to build an F/A-18C from VFA-37 for him, took it to him and the neighboring Marine Recruiters went nuts. So now I am woring on another Hornet for the USMC-not a commissioned or build for bucks kit. Just a project for some Marines.

I built a 1/48 Monogram F-4C as a surprise birthday gift for a fellow. No aftermarket stuff except a decal sheet for the tail code (WW) and the serial number. I mounted it on a plaque and spent 3 or 4 bucks having a small brass plate engraved "Dewey's Weasel". On presentation, he broke down, cried, and spent the rest of the evening on his hands and knees crawling around it making "jet" sounds. His wife says it's is most prized possession.
I was out $20-$30 bucks and a few hours of my time. Man, it was worth it.
Ray

I built a 1/48 Sword FM-2 Wildcat for my Stepfather. It was the ac that he flew in WW II. With a little research and determination, I was able to find the correct markings and decals for his exact squadron and carrier. It was a great learning experience and it really made his day when I gave it to him. A friend of mine saw the pictures of the plane on my web site and asked if I would build a model for him - I think I might have started a trend! That's cool, though. It is really a great reason to build - for others!

QUOTE: Originally posted by U-96 Needless to say, she was dead chuffed ,

U96, Since I'm from the other side of the pond I've never heard this expression and I don't think you meant she'd died by the time you got it built! I was just curious if it means she was terribly excited or something of that nature??? I'm not trying to be sarcastic or anything because I know some of the sayings people use over here don't make any sence to me either!!

Trying to work on that language barrier since I speak "Southern" english

Eric

ah yes, divided by a common language

it means pleased or happy - "dead chuffed" is an emphatic version of that.

I think it originated in the English Midlands, but it's in quite common usage.

Well... dead end at the local VFW-- I called up and the guy said that they only have a few WWII vets left and they don't really come out anymore.

But I have some contact names to try out tomorrow...and it is also a big Flag Day parade in town tomorrow-- so I may go out and do some stalking ;)

Hmm...that's too bad about the VFW. If you're still game, you could try a local chapter of the American Legion or the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). Anyways, I would think you would have better luck with the American Legion. They are a larger organization -- less restrictive on their membership requirements.

American Legion
http://www.legion.org/

DAV (Disabled American Veterans)
http://www.dav.org/

Maybe try the local VA.

Or, contact a WWII veterans organization. Although maybe you won't be able to meet the veteran directly, it would still be a good thing.

Google - US WWII Veterans Organizations

Do a search and maybe you'll find an organization that's local.

Actually-- just talked to the wife's grandfather again....seems her great uncle was a driver on the Red Ball Express. I may try and model up a truck for him, although I am leery of it as all I have ever built are 1:48 WWII aircraft.....

I may be asking some of you some serious questions on this soon ;) Like mainly once I know what exactly he drove...where to get the model I need :)

Alright....some progress on this-- but I need help ;)

I went to the local American Legion tonight to an honor guard meeting. These guys go out to the funerals at the national cemetary here and fire the gun salutes and play Taps on bugle.

I basically explained myself by saying that I was a teacher who was attempting to keep myself occupied in the summer by taking the time to interview vets....and to give proper honor to all-- I made no distinctions as to which war or anything like that....

I am planning on taking what I learn from these interviews to see if I can model something for them as I hear their stories. While I made no mention of writing a book or article on this, it seemed to be what many thought I was doing. Now-- I did a little writing in school, but I am not sure how I would go about doing something with this stuff...and yet I want to honor these gents in some way.

I only had 5 come over to me after the meeting to offer to take me up on interviews.....a couple Vietnam vets, a couple from the Korean War, and one WWII vet....many of them in infantry-- which makes it hard for me to model something :( I haven't talked to the WWII vet yet much as I am trying to wrap up school....

I guess after all this blabbering what I am asking is this:

Under what premise should I be interviewing....I mean if I write something up, how the heck do I organize it and make it into something useful?? I don't write for a magazine....and am not sure I could very well write a book about anything....

And lastly-- I strongly need advice on what types of questions to ask in the interviews..... anything you guys could offer would help!!

Oh...

One gent came up and talked of how while he was not in conflict during the Korean War, he served on Eisenhower's administrative staff in Berlin....and I was genuinely interested in his stories. I feel terrible though as there was I think some misunderstanding....he asked me why again I was there...and again- I basically said that I mainly just wanted to listen to people's stories of their military life...war stories...etc....

He said something about not having much of that to offer and walked away....I totally meant no offense and was truly interested in what he was saying. Some others came to talk to me and before I knew it, he was gone. I feel horrible as I was not at all intending to give the impression that I was singling any type of story out.

Is my reason for being there totally lame?? I really didn't know what to say to justify my being there-- while I do want to hear their stories, when I mentioned building models, I think I created more confusion than anything...they looked at me funny and said "Model?"

This is getting kind o' frustrating....I am not handling myself here very well I think....any thoughts??

Jeeves,
As to that gent that was on staff. Approach him again and explain to him that you are interested in his experiances in the military and not just war stories. Let him know that you appreciate his service and if he still seems hesitant or "put off" ask if he would be willing to exchange phone numbers or at least accept yours in case he decides he wants to share his experiances.

These vets that you do talk to will probably tell you about a buddy that they are still in touch with, or a reunion, and you will get more leads to follow. Some reunions are for a unit during a particular time period and some are for a unit from inception to present (or deactivation). You might go to a U.S.S. New Jersey reunion with a Vietnam vet and find WWII crewmen there.

You will probably end up with enough info for a book and, if there is one thing I have learned from geneological research, follow all leadsand stay organized .

I think I just wrote a book (for me anyway).

Is your reason for being there totally lame? No it is not. Now stop thinking that and get your confidence back.

Well...you're intent was not too write a book. Don't feel compelled to do something you didn't intend to do. If you did write a book, that's great, if you don't, don't stress yourself out about it. Writing a book is beyond the scope of your project. Stick to your original goal.

Regarding what to say -- no matter what advice anyone offers, it still comes back to you. It’s your reasons, your goal, and your feelings. It has to be genuine and it has to come from you.

With that said.

First, don't think of it so much as an interview, or at least as an "official", "by the book", "do as you learned in school" type of interview. Basically your interested in the experiences these veterans had while in the military. However, I personally don't know if I would refer to their experiences as "war stories". I'm not sure if that possibly could be taken the wrong way by someone.

Second, like I mentioned before, don't feel compelled to write a book. Writing books and papers are a traditional method to store and pass on information. However as a teacher the things you teach your students are just as important. The knowledge, values and stories you share can make a lasting impression. During the time you spend with these veterans, you're bound to gain something. This may be a deeper appreciation of what they lived through, their personal struggles, stories, or whatever else. Whatever it is, it's bound to have some affect on your life and possibly even the lives of those around you.

I'm not sure if that makes any sense. I guess to put it simply. I had teachers who felt very strongly about certain things. As a student, I became very attuned to those feelings, either from their instructions or admonishments if I crossed the line. There are things my former teachers have taught me and I remember to this day. I can honestly say that my teachers have influenced opinions I have on certain subjects.

Next time (hopefully there is a next time), take in a model or two to show them so they understand -- it might even be a good icebreaker. Tell them that in your free time (which you have more of now because of summer) you like to build models. While you're building, you like to learn more about what it was like for the soldiers who served during that time, their experiences, feelings, etc. Maybe ask a few questions as an example. What were some of the places you were sent to while in service? Were you expecting to be sent overseas? Did you initially expect the war to last long?

Start out slow -- take small steps. When they feel comfortable talking I'm sure you won't need a list of questions.

Hey, check this page out.
http://143.84.46.2/usamhi/1questionnairesubheaders.html

They have Questionnaires for WWII, Korea and Vietnam veterans. You might want to print those out and look through them for ideas as to what you might want to ask.

Thanks Bayonet Recon....

I am not sure how I will appraoch these talks with the vets-- but I will look over your link...much appreciated!

Hey Jeeves, check this out:
http://www.svsm.org/vet_drive.html

It's not exactly the same thing you're doing, but very similiar. Maybe you might send over an email and ask them for advice or something?

Not meaning to bump myself up here, but I have to say to you guys-- this is the way to do it!! I have always enjoyed doing modeling, but when you do it for someone else other than yourself, I really think you open new doors for yourself! I know I did-- in doing this project, I moved away from building 1:48 scale WWII planes, which is all I have done to date-- to doing this 1:35 scale GMC truck.

I haven't felt this motivated in a long while. It's a shame we all couldn't get together and create some type of organization that does this for vets worldwide. It might be a way to network with some vets and hear some great stories. I wonder how we could get something like this started?

Well OK then... not quite the response that I would've expected-- but I guess it's not everyone's cuppa.

Why not take a different approach .... check with a local church. They always have a bible study group or men's breakfast group that invariably has a few vets. I'm not suggesting that you 'get religion' or anything, but you might be amazed at who you meet.

I had such an opportunity several years back that was truely surprising. A member of my father's coffee group turned out to be Retired Rear Admiral Fred 'Fearless Freddy' Warter (USN). He was the original commishioned commander for the Sea Wolf submarine. His experiences and stories were incredible and I ended up building a replica of the Sea Wolf (detailed with battle damage he had told me about) for his 'rogues gallery'.

Admiral Warter has since passed on, but I will always remember meeting someone of such historic significance. And to think, I would never have guess that he lived in my home town for years.

you just got me to thinking. I have a great uncle who was a tail gunner in a b-24 in Southeast asia (I'm pretty sure of both of those) (I'll have to ask my grandpa for sure as my uncle lives in edmonton and tuscon and I've never been to either place ,combined, 5 times). maybe in a year or so when I have some more experience, I'll have to build him one.

oh and our local legion, well lets see.... the one guy was in shermans(loader), the other guy flew lancasters, one wanted to be in spitfires (but the end of the war came), and another local guy (not in the legion) was in artillery (sextons I think, but it might have been the priest) he landed at d-day.he has quite the collection of war booty too. oh there was another guy in shermans too.

Hey,
I have built a/c for others as well. Mostly my relatives or friends of my family who either flew or worked on them during the war years.
Yes is does take time away from my own modelling but to see the reaction, the look on their face and their appreciation is priceless
When Mr Hewitt came into town a few weeks ago to visit his stomping grounds, I showed him the P-47C that I was making in his markings.
Man he was grinning from ear to ear!! Seeing that made my day. I am thinking now when I complete the kit, I will give it to him. Eventually I'll do one for myself
I also want to do his wingmans bird aswell. Sad to say Capt Ludwig parished while coming back from attacking gun installments after a bomber escort mission w/ Mr Hewitt.
I did not really know how to ask but it came out.
He just looked at me for a while then a tear came. The only thing he said was I want to see it when it is finished. Any information you need on his a/c just give me a holler.
So as of now I have all that I need for Capt Ludwigs bird!!
Sorry that it was a long one
Flaps up, Mike

Sorry to bump my own post up-- but I have an interview with a Tuskegee Airman today...woohoo!