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Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD World War II veteran John Pedro waited patiently in the never-ending line to meet Enola Gay navigator Maj. Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk at his first public appearance in Western Massachusetts earlier this month. When Pedro finally reached him, Van Kirk took one look at him and said, "I guess you're an old timer too." Pedro, like so many who attended the Antique and Modern Firearms Show at the Eastern States Exposition, simply wanted to gain an autograph or shake the hand of the man who helped to end one of the most gruesome wars in human history. "He's a man that's a great part of our history," Pedro said as he chewed on his cigar. "He's one of the greatest I think for the mission he did," adding that he was grateful for the bombing because it helped to save many American and Japanese lives. He explained that dropping the bomb had a lower casualty rate for both sides as opposed to a land invasion of Japan. Pedro, who will be 84 years old next month, served in the Navy during WWII and stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day. He served 31 years in the Construction Battalion and currently resides in Connecticut. Like many others, Pedro traveled great distances to meet Van Kirk and none were disappointed by his witty sense of humor, sarcasm and lack of self-censorship. When asked if there were any questions, controversial or otherwise, from visitors he wouldn't answer Van Kirk said, "I'm talking all of the time. I never shut up." He was asked many questions, mostly about what it felt like at the moment "Little Boy" dropped. Van Kirk responded by saying, "We felt relief. There was a 50-50 chance it was going to be a dud." When asked if he was scared at any point during his 58 combat missions over Europe and Africa as well as his service in the Pacific Theater of WWII, Van Kirk said, "You make up your mind that you're not going to make it, so what the hell. I'm living on borrowed time." Van Kirk said he continues to make appearances all over the nation in order to educate people about the reasons for dropping the bomb and why it is such an important event in world history. He said that while dropping the bomb was necessary to end the war he believes that "if you can't settle an issue without war then it shouldn't happen." Van Kirk said he is not trying to change the world, just people's ignorance of war and weapons of mass destruction. He added that common sense dictates that war should not exist at all. While at the show visitors were able to learn in great detail about Van Kirk as well as the members of the 509th Composite Group -- a unit of over 1,700 military personnel specially trained in the deployment of atomic bombs -- through their purchase of the book called "The 509th Remembered." Van Kirk signed copies of the book, which is an approximately 300-page collection of numerous unit photographs as well as first-hand accounts of their experiences. The book was edited by Van Kirk and the husband and wife team Robert and Amelia Krauss of Buchanan, Mich. Over 20 years ago Robert began to read everything he could get his hands on about the 509th Composite Group. He said he located the reunion location in 1990 and received permission to attend. For the next 16 years he began to collect photographs and hand-written stories from all those at the reunions, which turned into the hardcover collection of today's "The 509th Remembered." He said the men became like family to him and it was vital that their stories be told, especially at the 2004 reunion in Wichita, Kan. Robert said traditionally the names of those who've passed are read out loud at the reunion but there were so many he'd been overcome by grief and had to exit the room. It was at this time he knew he had to publish the complete book. Robert said his wife typed the book over a five-year period despite her arthritis and the accounts were edited only for language. "It's a labor of love," he said. Robert said it's important that Van Kirk -- the only surviving crew member of the Enola Gay -- continue to share his stories with the public because "to truly understand this you have to live the times. In all the year's I've known him he's the best spokesperson for the Enola Gay." For more information about Van Kirk's upcoming appearances or "The 509th Remembered" or to purchase the book go to www.enolagay509th.com. | ||||||
