I've been doing some volunteering at an old folk's home as of late (if you're wondering why I haven't been online as much, or starting as many threads, lol). The duties are simple, just hang out and keep some of the old folks busy... Sometimes it can be REALLY hard because some of these people aren't in their right minds, and it's sad as hell, but they are still human and everyone needs somebody, so I do my best to fill any position I can with the folks... Some think I'm their son, some think I'm a young man that has come to rescue them... It takes a lot of improvisation and it's def tough, but what you get in return is well worth it.

There's a man named Ken that lives at this home, and he's 100% in the right state of mind, he's just physically disabled, actually, he had his legs blown off in WWII and has been in hospitals ever since. This is where my tale begins.

My friend Kenny was born in 1919 (!!!), and has such great stories to tell... He grew up in a fairly wealthy family where he had everything that he needed, and in 1938 he joined the army and was shipped off to Europe where he flew bombers, and was part of the dresden bombing campaign (!!!) He was captured by the Germans in 1944 and was sent to a camp where they were forced to work... He's like a history book of knowledge, and the only reason he's here is because he doesn't have legs. It's really f'd up and I wish I could do something about it, but I can't...

Man, the things this guy remembers, the moon walk, the advent of the car, everything... It's crazy. I've spent roughly 38 hours with him and the stuff he tells me is just amazing, his tales of when he was younger...

I just thought that I'd share that with you guys...

 

That's really amazing. He sounds like a real American hero and a great person to listen to. You are very lucky to have met someone like that.
I always love listening to my Grandfather share stories of WWII and his life experience, you learn so much more from people like this than sitting in a history class for hours on end.

 

you should video tape it... you never know.

 

Seriously, I really should... Not sure how he'd feel about that.

I know he's keen to new age music. I introduced him to VNV Nation and he liked the song "Legion"

Seen here:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwZzPc-MBFg


Actually, he likes that song A LOT. Funny coming from an old timer.

 

you should ask if he wants to keep a record/video of his stories. as we lose walking history books to old age it would be so good to be able to archive and learn this sort of stuff from the real people who lived through it.

very cool, brucelee

 

Sweet, I miss both my grandfathers, they always had a very interesting story to tell. I recently married and have new grandfather which also fought in WWII, I can listen to him for hours...

 

yep my grandmas 90 and still very sharp. Taught the men how to fly for so they could go into combat. She has a lot of interesting tales to tell. I really need to document that stuff.

 

do it daniel

my great uncle hienz was a super deep spy in ww2. he was german born, but came to us in 1912, witrh my grandma and 4 other siblings!!! they were from dresden germany, so he spoke perfect german and english.

anyway, my g.uncle hienz used to tell INSANE war stories that i wish i had on tape/md/vhs/beta/anything....it is a piece of time our country seems to be loosing touch with....he truly loved what he did and was proud til the day he died. he was one of my heros when i was kid....


at least go get a mini digital recorder and tuck it into your pocket.


josh