The “Greatest Generation” didn’t have Snapchat or Instagram to record their lives, but the men and women who served during World War II certainly have tales to tell. One local group is working to record their stories and leave their legacy for family members and the country.
Leonard Porter was in his 20s when he piloted a B-24 during World War II. He remembers the first time his crew was badly hit. It was his third mission from Saipan.
"It was like, bang bang bang. And it jarred me. A piece of fragment from anti-aircraft fire had gone through my side of the airplane. It hit the bottom of my seat right under my buttocks and went out the other side. Those were the noises I was hearing."
He ended up flying a total of 40 missions in the Pacific before returning home.
It’s one of the many stories he’s sharing with Sean Winn for Patriot Features based in Shawnee, Kansas. The nonprofit group out of Shawnee turns veterans’ stories into shorts films as a gift to the family.
"Most of us only read about it. Well, Leonard was there. He lived it. What an honor it is to shake his hand, talk to him, get to be a part of his life, if only for a short moment. It’s a thrill," said Winn.
The documentary maker says the response from family members has been overwhelmingly positive.
"We're giving them a legacy story of their loved one that could be passed on for generations. A documentary is a different animal because we take you into their home. We take you into their life for a day, and when you watch somebody walk around their house and you see the pictures on their dresser, you feel like you know them a little bit."
Porter, who turns 95 years old on Memorial Day, agrees.
“Our generation is fading fast, and I know that my relatives are certainly in favor of this sort of thing. They want mementos. I'm glad to oblige because of that. So one-on-one, I think it's a great idea, and for the public it might be a good idea too to later on find out what kind of people we were," said Porter.
There is no cost to the veteran or their family to share their story. Patriot Features is always looking for corporate sponsors and production partners to help facilitate these stories. Visit their website for more information.
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Jane Monreal can be reached at JANE.MONREAL@KSHB.com.
