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Rotary WW II Oral History Archives
and Television Documentaries
by Leigh Derby
Richard Bailey, Chairman of the Centennial Project, presented an
update on this significant endeavor, opening with these words, “It
is appropriate that on the eve of Veterans Day 2004 that we honor
those who served in the military and on the home front during the WW
II years. In 1940 our military was ill equipped and unprepared as
the winds of war grew strong. Pearl Harbor would stiffen our resolve
and over 16-million would enter the military and thousands would
work on the home front. Over 400,000 Americans would give their
lives and nearly the same numbers were wounded.”
The Centennial Project captures and preserves for future
generations, the stories of those who served during the WW II years.
There are 120 powerful and moving hour-long interviews with
historian Dan Morrill. Not one of the interviewed saw themselves as
a hero, they would simply say: The heroes were those who didn’t come
back, we just did our job. The Project will include two 60-minute
television documentaries produced by project partner, WTVI, How I
Survived the War and The Rest of My Life. The first documentary will
premier this May. Richard mentioned the tremendous cost in time and
money and acknowledged the major funders, The John Belk Foundation,
General Dynamics, and WTVI (in-kind). The $442,000 cost has exceeded
projections and the Club must raise another $80,000 to complete the
project. Your business can help by sponsoring How I Survived the War
and join with other Rotarians who have made an individual gift.
Richard recognized David Anderson, Club President when the project
was approved, Hal Bouton, former WTVI CEO and Club member, and Elsie
Garner, current WTVI CEO, who in turn introduced the production
staff, Elliot Sanderson, Eric Davis, and Johann Lohrman. Eric
presented a portion of the interview with Jim Horton.
Without a sound and with obvious reverence, the Club listened as Jim
recounted his experiences as a prisoner of war and subsequent
liberation in August 1945. Jim was captured in the South Pacific and
managed to survive the infamous and brutal Bataan Death March. Asked
by Dan Morrill, how he survived such an ordeal, Jim said that he was
“just lucky”, he had a strong faith and prayed each day to survive
until tomorrow, he had friends who supported each other, and he had
a very strong desire to return home to friends and loved ones,
including his future wife. In a lighter moment, Jim told the story
of his liberation when, as he was boarding the American ship in the
dark and with its bright lights, he saw nurses in white uniforms
who, to him, looked like angels. Dan asked Jim if he had any guilt
about the dropping of (atomic) bombs on Japan. “I have no strong
feelings about that.” Jim said, explaining that it was a savior of
the troops and had shortened the war, perhaps saving millions.
Responding to Dan’s question about any lasting thoughts on the war,
Jim said that the war influenced him to be a better Christian and
father. He wished that the world would be a better place because,
“War is hell”. People should settle their differences without war.
Stressing the enormity and differences of WW II with today’s
conflicts, Tom Burgess recognized the 24 members of our Club who
were among the 120 interviewed. Tom said, “Listen carefully as we
introduce each one here today . . . and our grateful appreciation
for not only what they did and what they survived, but for agreeing
to share their experiences and reflections for future generations.”
Each received warm and indebted applause as they were presented with
a copy of their interview on a DVD.
Head Table:
Mike Hawley, Elsie Garner,
Catherine Browning, Tom Burgess, Richard Bailey, Katie Tyler,
Marilynn Bowler
Visitors and Guests:
Don Carmichael; Music: David Erdman;
Visitors & Guests: Rusty Brink; Health & Happiness: John Rogers
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NEW MEMBER PROFILE |
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Harold
A. Graziano (“Graz”)
General Dynamics
Four LakePointe Plaza, 2118 Water Ridge Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28217 704-714-8013
hgraziano@gdatp.com |
Graz Graziano is the Director,
Strategic Planning and Business Integration of General
Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (GDATP), a systems
integrator of defense products, headquartered in Charlotte.
Graz is responsible for providing strategic planning support
across the company. This includes identifying specific
markets, trends, industry players, and available
opportunities. He is also responsible for developing
strategic growth opportunities. Additionally, Mr. Graziano
is responsible for the management of the company’s state
incentives program.
Graz began his career at GDATP in September 2001. He first
worked in Washington, D.C. as Director, Business Development
Operations. Prior to joining GDATP, he served as an Army
officer for 24 years retiring at the rank of Colonel. He
held a variety of command and staff positions including the
command of over one third of America’s PATRIOT missile
forces comprised of over 2,000 soldiers. He concluded his
military career as a Director on the Joint Chiefs of Staff
in the Pentagon. Over the course of his military career,
Graz gained broad operational experience in developing
future leaders. He built effective leadership development
systems focused on cooperative education and training.
Graz holds a B.A. in history education from the University
of Tampa and a master’s degree in logistics management from
the Florida Institute of Technology. In 1997, he received a
M.S. degree in National Security Policy from the National
Defense University in Washington, D.C. He is a decorated
veteran who was also the recipient of the GDATP President’s
leadership award in 2003. |
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Collection efforts to
benefit CRISIS ASSISTANCE MINISTRY
are overwhelming! In addition to the support from club
members, there have been several contributions from the
community. Thanks to Tom Senger
and wife Amy, who made a
tremendous contribution of childrens clothing and toys from
Karrousel Kids Consignment Shop in Matthews; to Shirley
McKoy who happened to see the flyer while cleaning at the
home of Herb Harriss and
is arranging to deliver thirteen bags of clothing to
Jim Adams; to a club guest
last week that collected items from his neighborhood; and to
a couple ladies attending a meeting in the hotel, saw the
collection table, and wanted to help. What a difference you
are making in the lives of many less fortunate.
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Loftin & Co. Printers received a platinum award
in Appleton Coated’s 2004 design competition. Loftin was
cited for its work on a Brick Revisited brochure.
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Look for NFL Referee
Jeff Triplett at the
Pittsburg VS Cleveland game.
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Michelle Fish was profiled in Charlotte Business
Journal’s 40 under 40 special section, which recognized 40
people under the age of 40 who are making major strides in
their careers and impacting their communities.
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Cecily Durrett was named vice president of
marketing at the United Way of Central Carolinas.
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SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING: Can you believe the
schedule is full! Thanks to the sixty volunteers that have
stepped up to the plate. Contact numbers or email addresses
are on the master schedule. If you have a conflict when your
day comes, please call around for a replacement.
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Ralston and Deanie Pound
were delighted when son, Tripp,
presented Deanie with a Paul Harris Fellow certificate.
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NOTE: Due to a scheduling problem with the
hotel, next week’s meeting will be held in the Bravo
Restaurant, which is located on the lobby level of the
Adam’s Mark.
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Attendance
Record |
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11/09/04 |
11/11/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
18 |
11 |
| club
members |
201 |
177 |
| total
attendance |
219 |
188 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
16 Ruth and Jim Haney
17 Ann and Henry Bostic
17 Chris and Chip Scholz
19 Barbie and Gene Williams
21 Kathy and Steve Montgomery
22 Susan and Dick Robberts |
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New Members | Resignations |
Dee Dee Murphy
Jim Pughsley |
Jim
Bensman
Hugh Cathey |
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| Roaming
Rotarians |
Ronnie Pruett, Florence, Italy
Peggy Wesp, Arequipa, Peru
Ralston Pound, Myrtle Beach, SC | |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
16 Ed Pickard, Spencer, NC
18 Ruth Castleberry, Atlanta, GA
19 Pat Millen, Charlotte, NC
20 Skip Berry, Memphis, TN
20 Keith Nowokunski,
Orlando, FL
21 Bill Blackwell, Springfield, IL
22 Bobby Chesney,
Charlotte, NC
22 Floyd Davis,
White Plains, VA
22 Mac Jackson, Winder, GA |
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