Hey guys, For a great detication to a WW-2 vet and photo's of a model of the ship that he served on, click on my selected link to go to the Model Fleet , then click on the message forum. This brought tears to my eye's, happy ones!

Cheers,
Garry

Nice story and a great paint job on that "can."

Howdy Garry,

I want to thank you for sharing that story with us. All I can say, without getting too 'deep' about it, is this. Example's like that, are what exemplify precisely how I feel about my military modeling. Every time I build something, or even think about building something. In my mind, it is a form of 'homage' to those who served in that role in the stead of others.

Tread.

I did something similar a couple of years ago. As a paramedic, I try to get to know the people I am transporting. Over the years I have met and "interviewed" several vets of various conflicts. One day, I was transporting a gentleman who told me he was injured in North Africa when the half track he was riding in ran over a mine. He was in the track because his M3 Lee had been destroyed the day before. He told me how he was in traction 18 months and had to learn how to walk again.

When I went home the next day, I dug an old M3 Lee out of my closet and put it together and put it on a base. I went over to his house about a week later and told him I had something for him. I gave him the model and he teared up a little. He just stared at it for the longest. He then thanked and thanked me. He sat it beside his recliner on an end table and said he would show it to everybody that came over and tell them about his service.

I've competed in contests in the past and won several awards. The look in his eyes was worth more than any award to me. If you want a truly fulfilling modeling experience, find a vet and build him a model. You will be glad you did.

Patrick

Well said Patrick, I would just love to have the chance to do this ! I have thought about it alot, and to build a model for a vet would fill this old heart with joy and make it all worth while.

Regards,
Garry

Yes, I know tread. And I feel the same way! Every time I build a model, and specialy as the model is getting close to being finished, The spirit of those that served on it comes to life. I built it in honer of them.

Garry

A very touching story indeed, acts like this go beyond words and shows how deeply we respect and honor our Vets.

Sean

I couldn't agree more, I built a Halifax bomber as a surprise for a guy I knew who served on them and Liberators during the war. He was really touched, then a couple of weeks later I presented him with a Liberator. He repaid me in the best way possible when he took me with him to an airplane museum where they had just finished restoring a Halifax. The stories he told and the look in his eyes when he laid eyes on it were great.

I have a suggestion for those among us who are members of modeling clubs such as IPMS, have a representative contact your state's Veteran's Hospital and Retirement Home. Find out if any of our Brothers-in Arms would like to have a model or diorama representing their service. America is looseing nearly a thousand WW2 Vets a day, if I remember from my DAV Magazine. Anything we could do to show our appreciation to them and those who followed them I'm sure would be appreciated.