The Long Stretch

May 2022 - April 2024
Now that Covid is unofficially over and the fear is gone, it was time to get the remaining interviews “in the can”!. With less than 500,000 living veterans, it was now or never, as approximately 600+ were dying every day. Our veterans were now 95 years of age or older if they served during the war. During this 12-month stretch, we interviewed 10 additional veterans and 1 additional Rosie. While we didn’t track each one with a journal, our crew took pictures at every shoot with the veterans and a look behind the scenes. The final interview was April 24, 2024 with Bill Brown at Independence Village in Northville. He was 100 years old at the time of our sit down, and he was still as sharp as a knife! As with most others, Bill had a great deal to share with us in his 2+ hour interview. His room was filled with model airplanes which is a hobby for him to this day. Thank you Bill for being our last veteran on film!

March 6, 2023
After 3 years of trying to secure a Tuskegee Airman, we finally scheduled an interview with Lt. Col. Harry Stewart. This interview was truly one-of-a-kind, as I have been fascinated by this group of men who were the first African-American military pilots. They served in many ways to secure our safety, and represented a symbol of true heroism in America. We were truly honored to spend this time with Mr. Stewart, who shared countless stories, including his initial passion for flying as a child. We lost this great man just recently at the age of 100 years young. Coincidentally, he was born on the 4th of July!