A Needle In A Stack of Needles

When learning of their mission to find Pvt. Ryan after D-Day, Capt. Miller (Tom Hank) and Sgt. Horvath (Tom Sizemore) discussed the futility of such an order by stating it would be like trying to find a needle in a stack of needles. Often, searching for stories seems a little like their mission. How do you find appropriate individuals to talk to and where do you begin when there are so many potential worthy subjects and topics.


There are two approaches: random, spontaneous meetings and word-of-mouth referrals. 

In college, I completed a semester-long documentary project on Illinois farmers using the large format camera. I would drive along country roads searching for possible subjects: farmers working on their tractors or out in the fields and livestock pens. If no farmers were in sight, I would take a chance and drive up and knock on the door and ask about their willingness to participate. Many times, I wouldn't get a chance to get out of the truck due to a watchful dog. I was chased away on numerous occasions by glaring teeth and my physical well being outweighed the possibility of finding one more participant.


I cannot recall one instance when a farmer refused to allow me onto their property to make a photograph. Was this because I looked like a student and the farmers wanted to help me out or they wanted to educate the public on the life of the Illinois farmer? Probably, it was both. It was obvious that many farmers were camera-shy and modest: I think this says something about their character.


It was an adventure and experience. I remember my introduction to these strangers: "I'm very sorry to bother you –– I know you're busy. I've got a rather unusual question...."


Other projects have called for a more structured approach and I have relied on the help of people to find subjects and participants. After finding a few initial people to include in a project, momentum would build and finding additional subjects was no problem. Word-of-mouth can be wonderful tool, but you have to ask for help. 


With numerous projects now completed, I think an ideal method is a combination of the two approaches. I love the spontaneity and the adventure of random opportunities –– this may lead to wonderful undiscovered possibilities. 

But, referrals from people are needed, too. It's a tremendous help to become accepted and welcomed in the community in which you intend to document and gather stories. Gradual acceptance is vital.

Memorial Day Countdown: 22

Hubert Fralish
109th Combat Infantry, 28th Division
[Excerpt from “Veteran Voices”]
“I was the top scorer at the rifle range during training so I was made first scout. I wasn’t too sure about this since we would be the first to shoot at the enemy. A combat infantry scout duties are simple but dangerous. Basically, to spot the enemy and draw their fire.

Before the Battle of the Bulge, I did not think the war would be over by Christmas. I really didn’t give it much thought –– I just thought about pushing head until we reached Berlin. But, I knew we would win.

Weather conditions were very bad [Battle of the Bulge]. The worst was the cold –– 20 degrees below zero. It didn’t make any difference what we wore, we were still cold. I wore two sets of long underwear, 2 GI uniforms, a wool sweater, an overcoat and a wool cap under my helmet.”

Memorial Day Countdown: 23

Don Faulkner
US Army, 4th Division, 22nd Regiment
[excerpt from “Veteran Voices”]
“I assumed command of a rifle company in the middle of battle only two days after arriving at the front lines. I was ordered to attack the town of Grosshau, Germany –– the first attack east of the Siegfried Line. Only arriving two days before, I hadn’t been fully prepared for such an experience, but we did our job. I spent 7 weeks in constant front line combat –– seemed like a lifetime, including the Battle of Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge.”

Memorial Day Countdown: 24

Dr. James Basil Hall
Flight Surgeon, Army Air Force, 5th Fighter Command
[excerpt from "Veteran Voices"]
"In training for WWII, I was assistant flight surgeon for General George Patton. We called him “pistol-packin’ pappy” (not to him, of course) because of his pearl handled pistols he wore. He didn’t allow men to transfer out of his division but I was ordered out because of my flight and medical training and sent to New Guinea.

While stationed in New Guinea, I received a call one day from my commanding officer, asking me if I had an extra bunk in my hut. I said “sure” and asked who would be suing this extra bed. “You’ll recognize him when he arrives” is all he would say. When this person arrived, I recognized him immediately…Charles Lindbergh."

Memorial Day Countdown: 25

Evelyn "Mickey" Gilberg

[excerpt from "Veteran Voices"]

"The Battle of the Bulge started on December 16, 1944. This was the real thing –– air raids, cannons, bullets, bloody wounds and death. Over 23,000 American soldiers were captured, 81,000 wounded and 18,000 killed. We spent New Year’s Eve, not celebrating with bells and whistles, but ducking under tables and cots to protect ourselves from flying bullets. Our shot up quarters were beside a road where Allied tanks were moving up to Bastogne. We eventually persevered and our boys advanced."

Memorial Day Countdown: 26

Memorial Day Countdown: 26
John Cummer: US Navy

[Excerpt from Veteran Voices]

"I participated in the invasion of Normandy, D-Day. It was not a day of great feats for me personally. I was just there. Mine is a story not unlike that of thousands of others who were there, but it had to be one of the most important events in which I have ever participated. I was a gunner’s Mate aboard LCI (Landing Tank Infantry) 502."

How Will You Observe Memorial Day?

Robert Stewart, US Marines, Veteran Voices

How Will You Observe Memorial Day?

Memorial Day, May 28th,  is still a couple of weeks away. Many Americans celebrate this day as the beginning of summer and a time to get together with family and friends and fire up the grill. I look forward to this cookout as some of my favorite foods will be served.


But, I was thinking about Memorial Day yesterday and what the day is really about. As I sat at my desk, I recalled a documentary project I completed a few years ago called Veteran Voices in which I photographed Word War II veterans and recorded some of their oral histories. I grew up listening to my father's WWII experiences in New Guinea and the Philippines (actually, he didn't talk about it much, I was more absorbed in his artifacts he brought back home and kept in a trunk in our basement) and wanted to recognize the sacrifices and experiences of World War II veterans.


As I recalled that project, I wondered how many of those veterans were still around. I knew of personal losses: my father, two uncles, my former next-door-neighbor, but how many other WWII veterans from the project had died. I began some research and immediately found 4 others who had passed away. I remembered their stories: Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal. Stories like those told by Evelyn "Mickey" Gilberg, a VBOB (Veteran of the Battle of the Bulge). Her stories were funny, poignant and emotional.


During World War II, there were a little over 16 million total US service members. It's rather sobering to realize that by 2015, it is projected that there will be only 855,000 living US World War II veterans. Let's take some time this Memorial Day to remember all veterans who have served and are serving our country. As many of the World War II veterans told me, the heroes are the ones who didn't come back.


Each day, between now and Memorial Day, I will try to share the photos and names of the World War II veterans from Veteran Voices.


How will you observe Memorial Day?


Photo: Don Dusenbery, US Army, Veteran Voices