The Olden Times Genealogy & History: Updates Newsletter

Some of you may know that my father was a fighter pilot in WWII, part of the "Pioneer Mustangs:" the first fighter group to fly the P51 Mustang fighter against the Germans. Luckily, not long before Dad died (1998), he recorded his memories of his wartime experiences, and they are a great treasure to his children and grandchildren.

I feel very strongly that veterans should record their personal experiences and impressions of the war - whether it was WWII or the Korean or Vietnamese conflicts. . If they don't, then someone else will tell the story of the soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought those wars. Someone who was never there. Someone who will apply their own interpretations to your motives and actions, with which you may not agree.

Gene Ryan wrote to me about a wonderful project, a history of the 319th Bomb Group in the Pacific. I asked him if it would be OK to announce it in this newsletter. I'm pleased to say that he's said "Yes," so here it is. I'm very proud of their efforts and I hope that you'll drop Gene a line. I'm going to order one of the CD's!

Friends, 319th people, and others with WWII interest,

NEW! NEW! NEW! "THE HISTORY OF THE 319TH BOMB GROUP IN THE PACIFIC:
A PICTORIAL STORY".

This pictorial history is on a CD/ROM. It tell the whole story in
pictures and personal accounts, logs and official orders. Included
are over 300 never before published photographs. The story tells of
the trip that begins in Columbia, SC, continues across the Country,
across the Ocean (both in the air and by boat), to Okinawa where
combat against the Japanese begins. Life on Okinawa is described,
including living conditions (both food and shelter), and the
destruction caused by the great typhoon of October 9, 1945. There
are combat mission reports and target photos, the surrender of the
Japanese on Ie Shima is covered, as well as the Groups redeployment
to the Philippines and the final deactivation. The story ends with
tales of those who went directly home, and those that spent time in
Japan or Korea before going home.

The price of the CD/ROM is $12, including mailing. It works on Windows
95/98/NT, 2000 and can be viewed with any Web browser. It is a great
gift for the children and grandchildren. If you don't have a computer,
not to worry the kids will know how to run it. Please send your check
to Gene P. Ryan, PO Box 2044, Oretech Br., Klamath Falls, OR, 97601.
Questions: (530) 398-4152 generyan@cot.net

OK, the rest of you vets: get busy! And if you ever doubt the value of your own words, just imagine this scenario. I admit, it's bizarre, but it might get you fired up to write, or record: imagine that Bill Clinton is going to adopt a second career as a military historian, and he's going to tell how things really were for your group.

Umm...does anybody have a seismograph trained on the Fairmount Cemetery out in San Angelo? Sorry, Daddy!

...for suggestions! I'm looking for links to great Hispanic genealogy websites. Email me with your suggestions, whether they're sites that have quality links, sites with records & related information or personal genealogy pages.

I have a special request for any readers who live in the Memphis, Tennessee area...

One of our readers is seeking an obituary which can be obtained at the Memphis Public Library. Alas, their fees are a little on the high end. If you are able to print a copy of this obituary from the library's microfilm for Sheila Jarrett, please contact her at sjarrett_81@yahoo.com. I know she'll really appreciate your help!