Zachary wrote:
It sounds like a wonderful event is shaping up! Even if all you can get your hands on is an audio cassette recorder - you or other volunteers/staff should go around and get some of the veterans' memories on tape! Or better yet, set aside an office space or side room with a video camera and record short interviews with the veterans. Here is what I would ask in a very abbreviated interview that might last 15 to 20 minutes tops:
1. Name and spelling of it.
2. Place and date of birth?
3. Memories of Dec. 7, 1941?
4. Date drafted or of enlistment?
5. Group and Squadron assignment?
6. Position on the crew and synopsis of duties?
7. How many missions he flew?
8. Most memorable mission?
9. What effect the war had on him as a person?
It would be a shame to have all those veterans in one place and not preserve some of their memories.
Zack
I know it's been a few years since this event, but I'm very interested in finding out if anybody interviewed one of your guests in particular: Robert E. (Bob) Neely - Pilot 8th Air Force, 2nd Div, 93rd Heavy Bombardment Group, 330th Squadron.
My father, Lawrence Caver, was a tailgunner in a B-24 in Mr. Neely's crew, and I'm trying to find out any information I can about all of the crew members, with the plan of putting together a website dedicated to their memories and experiences.
Did anybody interview Mr. Neely, and maybe have any photographs of him or other information? If there was an interview, does there happen to be a transcript of it?
If Mr. Neely is still alive, does anybody know how to contact him? And if he passes away, does anybody happen to know when?
And does anybody have any advice on how I might best be able to find information about the crew's experiences (I have a full list of the crew's names and a list of their missions, so that's a good start).
Thanks for all the help!
-- Eris Caver
-- Westminster, Colorado