Author Topic: I met a man named.... (Read 264 times)

FlyinFin · « **on:** October 15, 2004, 11:24:23 AM »

Hello All

A few Days ago I met a man named George Barlow. He 85 years old he says. He is a very quiet man, until U bring up the 40's and you see a twinkle start in his 1 good eye. He claims to have been a P-51 Pilot in WW2. He flew in the 9th AAF from what I understand. I haven’t figured out which squad yet. As he talks about the war it is all very general like a forgotten memory that needs to be sucked out .
He explains they started off as a rouge sqd stationed in Africa and moved all the way up. As he was standing up telling a story about 1 flight "and the damn plane was skipping along so damn bad"< his body kind of doing what we would call a cross up and arms reaching making adjustments and holding the stick> "Hell I had the damnedest time holding her"
As I said all general. He was in Korea as well.
How do talk to this elderly gentleman vet, who's memory is still there but is very hard to read and ask questions that can Help him and myself put it in an orderly perspective. I would like to ask thoughtful, pertinent, key questions.
Any Ideas?
Thanks,
Fin

Nilsen · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2004, 11:45:08 AM »

Ask him what you want to know and don't beat around the bush. If he is senile then good luck.

JBA · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2004, 11:49:05 AM »

research the plane, time frame, wars, etc. all you can get.

FlyinFin · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2004, 12:02:59 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nilsen
Ask him what you want to know and don't beat around the bush. If he is senile then good luck.

Nope he is not senile! Just seems to be so many memories in 60+years one stikes another and the time frame is all over the map.

Bodhi · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2004, 12:07:39 PM »

go slow, be understanding of his failing memory, and above all else, be a friend. That in itself is more of a reward to most veterans that is "sucking the info from their heads"

Good luck

FlyinFin · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2004, 12:16:55 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bodhi
go slow, be understanding of his failing memory, and above all else, be a friend. That in itself is more of a reward to most veterans that is "sucking the info from their heads"

Good luck

Bodhi,
I've done some work there the last few days and havent had the chance to really sit and talk, today I will! "Sucking" was a bad term. I'm just very interested.
Thanx
Fin

eagl · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2004, 12:21:51 PM »

Actually, "all over the map" is a good idea. See if you can find a map of the various WWII theaters and see if he recognizes anything. You could ask him to point out where he went or where he remembers being. That might help him organize his thoughts.

FlyinFin · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2004, 12:35:43 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eagl
Actually, "all over the map" is a good idea. See if you can find a map of the various WWII theaters and see if he recognizes anything. You could ask him to point out where he went or where he remembers being. That might help him organize his thoughts.

"Great Idea" On It!
Thanx
Fin