The Forever Crew
The crew of a B-17 bomber. Together in War. Together forever24 total reviews
Comment from John Cranford
Richard, this is the first chance I've had to sit down and read a little more of your work. This is an amazing story, and what struck me is that it is just one of the many thousands of heroic stories that need to be told about the most terrible war and greatest generation of our lifetime.
What is equally amazing is the captivating and engaging way in which the story was written. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop, and that, to me, is the measure of a great piece of writing. Your ability at describing in detail the nature and horrors of war; and at the same time bringing the story to life and making it real to the reader is unparalleled. You showed amazing perseverance and determination in finding the facts and protecting the accuracy of your story.
You are much to modest, my friend, in describing your writing ability. This story is a well-deserved winner and attests to that ability. But, more importantly, your purpose for writing is to tell the story of those who are reluctant (understandably) to tell it themselves. You didn't do it for personal recognition. That, my friend, speaks volumes for you as a person. I consider it an honor to know you.
Thank you for sharing,
John
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Richard, this is the first chance I've had to sit down and read a little more of your work. This is an amazing story, and what struck me is that it is just one of the many thousands of heroic stories that need to be told about the most terrible war and greatest generation of our lifetime.
What is equally amazing is the captivating and engaging way in which the story was written. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop, and that, to me, is the measure of a great piece of writing. Your ability at describing in detail the nature and horrors of war; and at the same time bringing the story to life and making it real to the reader is unparalleled. You showed amazing perseverance and determination in finding the facts and protecting the accuracy of your story.
You are much to modest, my friend, in describing your writing ability. This story is a well-deserved winner and attests to that ability. But, more importantly, your purpose for writing is to tell the story of those who are reluctant (understandably) to tell it themselves. You didn't do it for personal recognition. That, my friend, speaks volumes for you as a person. I consider it an honor to know you.
Thank you for sharing,
John
Comment Written 01-Dec-2024
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
I have read several stories like this. It is important that the young be challenged to remember what came before them to get us where we are.The same goes for Women's suffrage and American Indian mistreatment. Lots of the young people know little nothing of their history. Thank you for your work on this behalf. Karen
reply by the author on 15-Apr-2024
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I have read several stories like this. It is important that the young be challenged to remember what came before them to get us where we are.The same goes for Women's suffrage and American Indian mistreatment. Lots of the young people know little nothing of their history. Thank you for your work on this behalf. Karen
Comment Written 13-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 15-Apr-2024
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Karen,
Thank you for the kind words. This story has been a labor of love.
I would appreciate it if you could have others read it. I figure the more people that read the more those nine men are known.
You are so right about history. Our two daughters have grown up in a world built on the sacrifices of women before them. We raised our girls to be independent thinkers and the attitude they can do anything a man could do. Both have been successful in life. Now both are married. Our oldest has raised her daughter as we raised her.
Don't get me started on the Native Americans'. They were screwed by the white man. We stole their land, put them on reservations, supplied them with booze and even forbid them to speak their native tongue. The our government broke treaty after treaty. Is it any wonder why they fought back?
Sorry about the LONG reply. These two subjects have a lot of meaning for me.
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I will pass those along to others. Read more of mine too.I usually read one for one. No matter the points. If you want to fan so we each get the other's stuff in our mail boxes then fan me and I will fan back. I just posted "Once upon a Date for the Erotic writing Contest. You will have to go to my site to read it. Karenn
Comment from Ulla
Congratulations on winning the nonfiction contest, and it was so well deserved. Yes America played probably the greatest part of winning this war against evil. Now, we are in a similar situation and America is not so willing Europe is on its own against evil once again. Ulla;)))
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2024
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Congratulations on winning the nonfiction contest, and it was so well deserved. Yes America played probably the greatest part of winning this war against evil. Now, we are in a similar situation and America is not so willing Europe is on its own against evil once again. Ulla;)))
Comment Written 13-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2024
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Ulla, thank you for the kind words. This story has been a labor of love. Those men are like family to me. We live in some dire times. I am afraid this America is not even remotely close to the era of my father-in-law.
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
This is a well told story about courageous men who went to war to protect the world from Nazi aggression. You did a lot of research and should be commended for the effort you put into this detailed story. You certainly deserved the prize for your detailed descriptions and information.
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2024
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This is a well told story about courageous men who went to war to protect the world from Nazi aggression. You did a lot of research and should be commended for the effort you put into this detailed story. You certainly deserved the prize for your detailed descriptions and information.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2024
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Carol, thank you for the kind words and the exceptional rating.Both mean a lot to me. This has been a labor of love. It has become my mission to see that these nine men are not forgotten. On behalf of those men I would appreciate it if you could let others know about it. The more people that read, the more that will know their names and learn of the sacrifices they did so that we can live in freedom.
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One of my friends spent 11 years (during the 90's) interviewing all his father's fellow soldiers in his unit. He self-published and sold hundreds of novels. Sadly, the time for that is past as so many, who survived the war, have passed on.
Comment from Sharon Elwell
Your story is an important one, and painstakingly told. What follows are tiny grammatical problems that you may not want to even consider. I mention them because they are things that stopped or confused me as I read, and may have the same effect on other readers.
1. "Jack, like so many young men, would soon fight in the Pacific or Europe." Either "...knew that he would soon fight..." or "...would soon fight in Europe," since the writer knows already which it will be.
2. "...they promoted him...and selected to be..." Who selected?
3."This could have been a problem." You need a referent for "this." "This change could have..." or something like it.
4. "Although only a few years older." This is a run-on sentence.
5. "married and one child..." should be "...married with one child."
6. ",,,could count on the other..." "...needed the other..." could be "others" or "other man."
7. "...each bomber would circle..." would be sharper staying in active mood, with "...each bomber circled..."
8. "...to Jack and the rest of the prisoners' joy..." would be cleaner with "...to their joy..."
You get the idea. You could do with some tightening and editing, but this is a great story, and well worth the effort.
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2024
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Your story is an important one, and painstakingly told. What follows are tiny grammatical problems that you may not want to even consider. I mention them because they are things that stopped or confused me as I read, and may have the same effect on other readers.
1. "Jack, like so many young men, would soon fight in the Pacific or Europe." Either "...knew that he would soon fight..." or "...would soon fight in Europe," since the writer knows already which it will be.
2. "...they promoted him...and selected to be..." Who selected?
3."This could have been a problem." You need a referent for "this." "This change could have..." or something like it.
4. "Although only a few years older." This is a run-on sentence.
5. "married and one child..." should be "...married with one child."
6. ",,,could count on the other..." "...needed the other..." could be "others" or "other man."
7. "...each bomber would circle..." would be sharper staying in active mood, with "...each bomber circled..."
8. "...to Jack and the rest of the prisoners' joy..." would be cleaner with "...to their joy..."
You get the idea. You could do with some tightening and editing, but this is a great story, and well worth the effort.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2024
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Sharon, thank you so much for the review. I really appreciate your suggestions. I can write it is my grammar. In school, I was excellent at math, science, and history. English on the hand was fair.
I promise I will look at your suggestions.
As you can tell, this story means a lot to mean. I figure the more people that read it. We will not forget their sacrifices for all of us.
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You're right, Richard. Your story means a lot to others, as well.
Comment from BermyBye50
Richard,
Congrats on winning the Nonfiction Writing Contest. Your story is powerful and a tribute to the men who sacrificed all in WWII. Thank you for sharing their story and allowing us to remember the profound significance of that time in the world's history.
All the best,
Eugene
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Richard,
Congrats on winning the Nonfiction Writing Contest. Your story is powerful and a tribute to the men who sacrificed all in WWII. Thank you for sharing their story and allowing us to remember the profound significance of that time in the world's history.
All the best,
Eugene
Comment Written 12-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Thank you for the kind words. This story and those men mean the world to me. Now I pray the government will move forward in the disinterment of four sets of remains. That would be one of my life's happiest moments.
I figure every time someone reads this story. One more person will learn about their sacrifices for us. Please pass on this story.
Comment from nomi338
Thank you so much for this stirring account of the heroic sacrifices made by American fighting men who gave all in their defense of their country and its efforts to secure world peace. My own father being a black man in Arkansas, was not allowed to participate in the fighting, he served in the funerary department and did so to the best of his ability. He passed away in 2005.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much for this stirring account of the heroic sacrifices made by American fighting men who gave all in their defense of their country and its efforts to secure world peace. My own father being a black man in Arkansas, was not allowed to participate in the fighting, he served in the funerary department and did so to the best of his ability. He passed away in 2005.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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First, I know your father has passed away. But I still thank him for his service. Unfortunately, those were not the best years to be black or even Japanese. Still, men like your father served with honor and pride. They were Americans first. I know from my own experience that when things went to hell. It did not matter what color the guy next to me was. All that matter was he was there for me and I was there for him.
Your comments about the story are very much appreciated. Winning the contest was nice. But for me the most important was people such as yourself reading their story. I look at it this way: those nine men live on when people read their story.
If you know anyone interested in this type of story. Please have them read it. They live on in the words.
Thank you,
Richard
Comment from Liz O'Neill
For some reason we never really learned the details of the war when we were in high school so a lot of film things but we didn't have any much discussion So I guess I missed out on some of it and this is filling some of it in thank you. I suppose they're always was this fear: "Lt. Buthe said to the crew, "Let's go take a look at the Statue of Liberty." The crew shouted they would get shot down. Lt.
Buthe circled the Statue of Liberty." not a game: " a lot more aware of the danger to their job." this is an invaluable report. Definitely A+ material
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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For some reason we never really learned the details of the war when we were in high school so a lot of film things but we didn't have any much discussion So I guess I missed out on some of it and this is filling some of it in thank you. I suppose they're always was this fear: "Lt. Buthe said to the crew, "Let's go take a look at the Statue of Liberty." The crew shouted they would get shot down. Lt.
Buthe circled the Statue of Liberty." not a game: " a lot more aware of the danger to their job." this is an invaluable report. Definitely A+ material
Comment Written 11-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Liz, thank you so much for the rating. For mean it means I did not let those guys down. I agree they do not cover WORLD WAR II in school as they should. Every one that could serve, served.
I am planning on writing a book version. It will allow me to tell more about each individual man. A little more about their personalities or interests. Lt. Buthe, for example, was a "talker" and played the clarinet.
If you know anyone interested in a story like this, please have them read it. My thought is these men live on in the story.
Thank you again for reading their story.
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I really like your idea of writing a book where you can put different vignettes about different people and the talkers would be great. I look forward to this book or even the first couple of chapters of the book.
Comment from royowen
What a great story of men that served bravely and well in WW2, there are many wonderful stories of those aircrews that served so well and many died in the service of their country. Thank you for the heroism and the price paid, beautifully written, I appreciate your great story, well done, blessings
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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What a great story of men that served bravely and well in WW2, there are many wonderful stories of those aircrews that served so well and many died in the service of their country. Thank you for the heroism and the price paid, beautifully written, I appreciate your great story, well done, blessings
Comment Written 11-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Thank you sir!! Writing their story is a true labor of love. Reviews such as yours tell me I am not letting those nine men down. I feel that in someway this story lets people know about the sacrifices all those men made for us. If you know anyone interested in a story such as this one. Please let them know.
Thank you again for taking the time to read their story and the review.
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Most welcome
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Congratulations on your well deserved win, Richard. It was heart-breaking, and this story must never be forgotten. Those men who died for our freedom were heroes. That all those men were found and returned to their families, was incredible, and just shows how when we work together, miracles can happen. Well done! Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 09-Apr-2024
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Congratulations on your well deserved win, Richard. It was heart-breaking, and this story must never be forgotten. Those men who died for our freedom were heroes. That all those men were found and returned to their families, was incredible, and just shows how when we work together, miracles can happen. Well done! Sandra xxx
Comment Written 09-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 09-Apr-2024
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Thank you. Winning the contest is appreciated. I am just happy that so many people read their story and know of their sacrifices. To me that is the most important part of the contest.