Patrick Lendino, my wife’s father, never said a word about his war experiences until one day when we sat down and I started drawing his portrait.
Then the memories started tumbling out, one after another. He began to describe his training in the Eighth Air Force, and how he became a pilot of a B-17. I struggled to draw his likeness and to capture his quotes, both of which were equally valuable as a memory of his life.
Great to share those memories. My Dad was the pilot of a Halifax heavy bomber in the RCAF. He was shot down over Holland in 1942 and evaded capture with the help of courageous people on the ground. What a generation!
Wow ! what a story! I love these details.
Our grandad never spoke of it either. We found an old tin box , soldered shut in his attic after his passing- full of his medals and war record etc.