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Veterans: Share Your Stories

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2007

Updated: 12/03/2007 10:22 pm

After waking up Thanksgiving morning and getting my 26-pound turkey stuffed and in the oven, I took the rare opportunity to sit down with my lovely new bride, Michele, and peruse that morning's Tampa Tribune over a cup of strong coffee. As Michele enthusiastically plunged into the pile of post-Thanksgiving sales ads, I made my way through the sports, national and local news and eventually to the obituaries, which I check with regularity to make sure I'm not listed.

Seven veterans of World War II were among the deceased. That was just one day's worth of obituaries in just the Tampa area. Imagine how many members of our World War II generation, America's "greatest generation," we're losing nationwide day after day. And with each veteran, sadly, goes a story and a piece of our country's history.

When Steven Spielberg's graphic, gritty and realistic "Saving Private Ryan" came out in 1998, I hoped it would stir a little respect and appreciation in the collective heart of the "younger generation" for the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism held by the generation of their grandparents or great-grandparents. The freedom to walk around looking ridiculous in oversized pants hanging down to expose a few inches of boxer shorts was secured by the blood and bravery of young men who led lives of courage and purpose when they weren't too much older than the high school kids I teach every day.

These soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen conquered daunting enemies under horrific conditions and came home to make the United States as powerful economically as they had made it militarily. The imaginary battles and adventures of computer-generated virtual reality enjoyed by today's youths pale in comparison with the grim reality of daily life on the front lines, on a warship or in a bomber.
World War II ended more than 62 years ago, putting the average age of most surviving veterans in the 80-something range. To archive and preserve for posterity the experiences of our greatest generation, I'm proposing what will be an ongoing project. If you're a veteran, or if you know a veteran - a father, grandfather, uncle, or neighbor - who would be willing to share their memories and experiences and have them committed to print, please contact me at (813) 546-2282 or FXShannon@aol.com to schedule an interview. You tell your story, and I'll write it. Any pertinent photos you would be willing to lend for purposes of reproduction would be appreciated as well.

I'd like to make these accounts a regular offering, and I'm sure there are enough people out there with plenty of stories to share. I would like to collect enough stories to compile a book and give the proceeds to veterans' or military family organizations. And let's not limit this to World War II. Veterans of the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the first and second Gulf wars and the military actions in Grenada Panama deserve to have their stories told and their efforts and sacrifices honored.

Valrico resident Frank Shannon can be contacted at FXShannon @aol.com or (813) 546-2282.

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