If you are lucky enough to spend some time with Bill Getz you will likely hear a story that will be...illuminating. Possibly about ancient Chinese history, maybe about B-24s over Europe, but you are more likely to hear about writing fiction or current national defense trends. But if you really want to see his eyes light up, ask him about teenagers. Lt Col Bill Getz just turned 92, but he understands the potential in every teenager and treasures all that is good about that strange and wonderful stage.
The first time I saw him speak to a few teens was over an "Inter-generational breakfast" where the young and the..."experienced" were planning events they could work together on during the school year. In the room were fresh-faced JROTC Cadets and US Military retired from their service in the 40s through the 60s and 70s. He started off with a twinkle in his eye and a wonderful mid-Western drawl straight-outa Indiana. He is humble, he is relaxed gravitas, and a subtle poet. He elevates the game and thoughts of all present. He gives unbridled compliments to the youngsters and tells them that they are the best this country has to offer. He mentions his own generation and the jarring events across oceans that fast-forwarded those teens into adulthood. He talks matter of factly about the call to duty--and the answering. Then he hits his oratorical sweet-spot. "Chance" he says, is where you are born and the circumstances of that place, time and people who raise you. "Choice" is something you control and your choices lead to "Consequences." "Chance" is the piece of Nazi-Germany flak that tears through your Liberator bomber, hits your boot and dies on the floor by your rudder pedals. Everyone has their "flak." It may not be addressed directly to you, but chance places obstacles in your way to overcome. "Choices" he says, are what we can control. Make them based on honest values and targeted toward your goals. Your choices have the potential to overcome the chance that life fires up at you. Both have consequences, but choice is where you have control.
The 16-year-olds were listening in rapt attention, and I realized that I just heard a story that I would retell many times. Stories of courage, sacrifice, hard work and happenstance that have filled many books about "the greatest generation" have always been addicting to me. But Bill Getz does not buy into that "greatest" moniker. Although he decided instantly to answer the call at age 17 when his high school Commandant announced the news about Pearl Harbor, he believes every generation has that same spirit and capability to answer their calls to serve their communities and nation.
Our challenge-- prove him right.
Kindergarten. Hugs, snacks and paint on my fingers. Kool Aid in a cup and naps on blue or red plastic. White bread in hand and brown ...
If you are lucky enough to spend some time with Bill Getz you will likely hear a story that will be...illuminating. Possibly abou...
What was difficult about your job?
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What was your most memorable moment while deployed to England ?
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What encouraged you to join the branch?
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what was your favorite misson
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What do you remember most about the war?
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Whats was the best experience in the war!?
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whats your difficult mission?
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ReplyDeleteWhere were you when you took the picture with the B-25 and would you fly it again?
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ReplyDeleteHow did you feel when you heard about the Japanese's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor? Was it from those emotions that you were inspired to serve your country?
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What was your most favorite plane to fly?
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How much knowledge did you gain from war?
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Through your time in the war, how much did you grow and mature. Did your choices in life better your future?
Cadet Taylor
What advice would you give to your teen age self and why ? How would this have made you a better person ? Cadet Gonzalez Anguiano
ReplyDeleteWhere were you when you took the picture with the B-25 and would you fly it again?
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About the war,What was the hardest thing you went through in the war?Did you learn allot from the war
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DeleteWhy bother correcting him. It's not like his teachers aren't going to read it.
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ReplyDeleteCadet Puerta How stressful was it over sea and at war?
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ReplyDeleteWith all of the things you have seen , you must have had to mature at an early age, with all of the death you were surrounded with, what memory of the war do you look back on and say,¨ I wish things could have been different.¨ Why?
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In your time of serving. What was your biggest fear for your outcome? I understand the obvious answer is the possibility of being shot down or a similar situation, but what was the thing that loomed in the back of your mind even is safe zones? Was it the fear of losing the war? Or that every day that passes the worse it gets? I apologize if the question is too harsh, but I would like to know what a soldier thinks of besides their own fate in times of turmoil. Also, what about thses things made you afraid? And what ideas did you have that you believed could have helped your borthers in arms? What ideas have you had since then that you think could've helped you in your efforts to get home and make home more safe? Thank you for considering my questions, and again, I apologize if they come off as rude or harsh, I couldn't think of another way to word them.
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What was it like going to different countries leaving behind your hometown and your family and friends? How did you express your feeling to people you worked with and how was the lifestyle you were living differ than the lifestyle you had to live.Were you ever nervous going to battle? Did you have any friends you lost in battle? What does it feel like being a pilot? What was the most nerve wrecking moment you had while in battle? How did your family feel when they found out you wanted to join the air force? Did your choices ever affect the way you worked? If you had a chance to fix something what would it be? Being in the air force did you ever feel like giving up or did you persevere? Has your plane ever got shot at to the point smoke came out? What is the most favorite moment you had in the air force? What
ReplyDeletewas your favorite meal in the air force? If you had to give a cadet in ROTC advice or lesson what would you say? How did you join the air force,was it a long process? Was this your dream job? Sincerely Cadet Aliyana Montevirgen
If you could relive a part of what happened during the war what would it be and why?
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I know that when you were young you ever thought that you would be in a war and have to take lives to protect your country. How did you feel after the war ? Were you depressed from all the lives taken or relieved to be home?
ReplyDeletei have to ask you a question that you might not want to answer ,but in combat did you ever lose a friend and if you did how did you deal with it? Now i have a dad who was in the marines for 21 years and i asked him this question and he told me that he only lost brothers i want know your opinion and thought on the question thank you from cadet airman first class, Antonio Julio Chavez
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ReplyDeleteCadet: Broderick
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Cadet: Broderick
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Cadet Technical Sergeant Shubham Dadhwal
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Did you ever experience posttraumatic stress disorder? If so, do you ever get over it? How did you get over it? Do you know someone who experienced ptsd?
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How did you feel when you were told about pearl harbor and was that one of the major reason why you decided to go into the military? (C/Lt.Col.Layne Ryan)
ReplyDeleteHow did you feel when you were told about pearl harbor and was that one of the major reason why you decided to go into the military? (C/Lt.Col.Layne Ryan)
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