Veterans detail life in, after WWII
Published 5:25 pm Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Several times each week, four World War II veterans working as docents at Everett’s Flying Heritage Collection take museumgoers on tours of rare aircraft.
During those tours, as they talk about the planes, they know they will encounter questions.
These veterans include Capt. Robert “Bob” Drew, of Edmonds and Col. Ralph C. Jenkins of Seattle, both of whom served with the U.S. Army Air Force and U.S. Air Force; Capt. Joseph “Joe” McGraw of Coupeville, who served in the U.S. Navy; and Capt. Witold Aleksander “Alex” Herbst, of Warsaw, Poland, who served with the Royal Air Force — the air arm of the British Armed Forces.
On Tuesday, they likely will face even more questions from the curious public.
That’s because in addition to the venue being open during its normal hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a public and media event will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for those seeking to celebrate veterans and to learn more about these aircraft.
The 90-minute discussion will center on how the power of these aircraft fighters influenced the war’s outcome. The veterans also will share first-hand perspectives of the conflict, regarding how the war changed their lives.
Making up the rest of the panel will be the Flying Heritage Collection’s executive director Adrian Hunt and aviation historian Cory Graff, and Andrew Himes, founder of the “Voices in Wartime Education Project.”
The event “will provide audiences of all ages with a unique opportunity to hear first-hand the experiences of World War II,” Hunt said. “In an age where there are few World War II veterans left, it is important for society to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the war directly from someone who served their country during this important period.
“Veterans Day at the Flying Heritage Collection is a great forum for parents to educate their children on the importance of recognizing and appreciating the service of our veterans. In addition, it is an opportunity to teach them about the technological advancements that took place in aviation during World War II, through the vintage aircraft on display at the Collection.”
From the end of the panel’s talk until the close of the museum’s day, additional veterans will answer questions. Flying Heritage Collection admission fees are the only cost for the event, and vets are admitted for free.
