In conjunction with writing the stories of our war fallen from the Walker County, Alabama area it's equally important to document the last remaining WWII Veterans who served alongside them. This is their stories and legacies preserved for future generations to come.
Sitting down with Mr. Ed Gill on Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Day was nothing short of special. 82 years had passed but Ed, now 98 years old recalled the vivid details of his service years like it was yesterday. He was 16 when Pearl Harbor was bombed but wasn’t allowed to join the fight until two years later. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop him from planning ahead. Ed knew he wanted to be a Navy man.
Listen in as Ed recalls his service with the U.S. Navy during WWII as an Aviation Radioman while training at NAS Jacksonville. He climbed aboard planes such as the PBY Catalina, SBD Douglas Dauntless and the TBF Avenger. Ed was enroute to California for radar training when news broke that the Japanese had surrendered. He would go on to work 30 years in the control tower of the Birmingham International Airport while raising a family and is now an avid billiards player. Thank you for your service, Mr. Ed Gill!
12 Oct 2023
Episode 7 - SGM. James Craig
Sitting down with Mr. James Craig and hearing his story of serving in the U.S. 3rd Army under General Patton was an absolute honor. Mr. Craig turns 102 on October 17th and speaks of growing up in western Pennsylvania, graduating from Allegheny College then being sent off to the European Theater with the 652nd Topographic Battalion. His journey overseas took him from England, France and into Germany as he made strategic maps for Patton along the way. After the war he returned home, raised a family and made a name for himself in banking and as a lawyer. For those of you interested in how surveying and maps were made during WWII you'll be sure to enjoy this episode. As always we thank Mr. Craig for his service and his family for allowing time with him. Happy early birthday to Mr. James Craig!
30 Sept 2023
Episode 6 - Mrs. Frankie McLean and Mrs. Mary Dell Barker
To understand the whole perspective of WWII its vitally important to not only learn about life overseas but also the difficulty of home life during wartime. I recently sat down with Mrs. Frankie McLean, 96 years old of Cordova, Alabama and Mrs. Mary Dell Barker, 102 years old of Sulligent, Alabama to pick up on what it was like in the United States while those in their community were sent overseas. From hearing the news of Pearl Harbor being bombed on the radio, to rationing home items for the war effort, and sadly even having family members not return home. WWII had a profound affect on their teenage lives and left memories that are current to this day. I hope you all appreciate this interview of what home life was like in Walker and Lamar County during WWII.
8 Sept 2023
Episode 5 - 2nd Lt. Jack Collier
Lest We Forget Initiative's latest conversation is with 102 year old 2nd Lt. Jack Collier of Forestdale, Alabama. Jack saw WWII from the air, flying over 40 missions in his B-26 Marauder from Matching Green, England and Roye, France hitting tactical targets over German occupied Europe from January 1944 until Germany surrendered in May 1945. He was attached to the 391st Bombardment Group of the 9th Air Force as a bomber pilot and has a vivid firsthand account of being in England as D-Day was unfolding along with countless other stories of his service and life afterwards. Please join me in thanking Mr. Jack Collier and I hope you all enjoy!
29 Aug 2023
Episode 4 - Tec. 4 Sgt. Hansel Hudson
What a treat it was sitting down with 97 year old Jasper, Alabama native, Hansel Hudson. Born on August 15th, 1926, Hansel speaks on the values his parents raised him and his siblings on during their childhood in the Great Depression, being at Musgrove Country Club when hearing of the attack on Pearl Harbor which then sent him into being drafted in the U.S. Army. During his basic training at Fort Gordon, Georgia the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan but just 3 months later he saw the damage of cities firsthand as an ambulance driver for the U.S. 32nd Division. Lastly, Hansel reminds us all on the importance of faith and family; lessons we all can take with us in our lives. Please enjoy this episode and conversation with Mr. Hansel Hudson.
9 Jun 2023
Episode 3 - Sp-3. Ray Wadsworth
Welcome to our 3rd interview, this one is with Specialist - 3rd Grade Ray Wadsworth of Arley, Alabama. He is a graduate of Meek High School where he actually attended two high school reunions due to being sent off into the U.S. Army just five months prior to graduation then returning after service to receive his diploma. Sp3. Wadsworth was sent to Pearl Harbor before then being sent to South Korea in a post war occupation duty just after the Japanese surrendered in September of 1945. He speaks highly of South Koreans in what they endured while being under the rule of Japan and how, as a US infantryman, did his part in helping the people of South Korea reestablish their lives and government. Something as an American he is extremely proud of. After the his service, Ray went back to Arley to work for his dads business at a local supply/hardware store and went on to be married and raising three children. It was an honor sitting with him and hearing his military history and stories of traveling back to Hawaii after the war and as well as Cuba later in life. I hope you all enjoy this talk that I had with Sp3. Ray Wadsworth.
17 May 2023
Episode 2 - Cpl. Wardell Wright
This week Lest We Forget Initiative's episode two guest is Cpl. Wardell Wright of Fayette, Alabama. Although, not from Walker County he and his family have strong ties to the area and he currently resides in Jasper. Wardell was born in 1923 and talks about being raised as a child during what he calls the "Hoover Days", a reference to 'Great Depression' President, Herbert Hoover. As an African American, he tells his honorable and unique story of WWII serving in the 3774th Quartermaster Truck Co. being not only sent to Europe but then to the South Pacific before sustaining an illness that sent him home. Wardell loves his family, country and serving Christ in every way imaginable and it was a pleasure sitting with him hearing his life advice. Lessons that we each can instill into our daily lives everyday and onward. I hope you enjoy and learn as much from Cpl. Wright as much as I did.
11 May 2023
Episode 1 - Sgt. Raymond Meeks
Join me in welcoming Mr. Raymond Meeks to the first episode of a new series from Lest We Forget Initiative. Raymond was born in Falls City, Alabama then moved to Curry, Alabama where he graduated in 1942 just before being thrusted into WWII with the U.S. Army Signal Corp. As a lifelong military man, he is full of stories from both the Pacific islands during WWII to the war torn mountains of Korea but most importantly he has stories of faith that shaped his life postwar. I hope you enjoy hearing these stories from one of our last remaining WWII Veterans and Hero, Sgt. Raymond Meeks.
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