Since we started COBT in 2020, we have gotten into the tradition of doing a Thanksgiving show each year. In our previous episodes, we have enjoyed showcasing and thanking the hardworking people working in energy who make Thanksgiving Day possible. Without them, the day simply isn’t possible and we extend our thanks to them all again today.
 
This year, we decided to mix it up a bit and thank another important group, America’s World War Two Veterans. Of the 16 million Americans who served in the war, by some estimates less than 60,000 remain today. They are sadly passing away at a rate of approximately 300 a day. The youngest of them are now in their late nineties. Clearly, the time to talk with them, learn from them, and thank them again is now.
 
Earlier this year, we met Tyler Boland, known as “the World War II Kid” (see his work here).Tyler is a 20-year-old college student on a mission to interview as many WWII veterans as possible. Starting his project as a freshman in high school, Tyler set out to meet and interview these veterans as a tribute to his great grandfathers who both fought in the war. Six plus years later, he has befriended over 300 of them, sponsored mini-reunions, absorbed their wisdom, and even taken them on special trips, including taking a group to the 80th anniversary of D-Day celebration this summer in Normandy. This young man is making a difference in the lives of these wonderful men. He has done all of this on his own. It’s a remarkable and wonderful thing.
 
With Tyler’s help, we came up with the idea of an excursion to the The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. The audacious thought was to offer any veterans that Tyler knew the chance to go to the museum. Tyler knew exactly who to ask and Milton Ripple (age 96), Frank Stellar (age 100), and Bill Balabanow (age 98) were ready and willing to go! He and the three veterans from the Philadelphia area traveled down on Sunday where we met at Commander’s Palace for a quintessential New Orleans meal on Sunday night and then had a great day at the museum on Monday. Special thanks to Murphy’s CEO Roger Jenkins for getting us into Commander’s Palace, and to Jeff Hildebrand for connecting us with the National WWII Museum. The staff at Commander’s Palace treated our veterans like the heroes they are. The team at The National WWII Museum wrapped the men in the kindness and respect they deserve, let us in early for a VIP tour of all 7 museum buildings, treated us to lunch in the American Sector cafe, and also let us use their private library for today’s podcast. It was a phenomenal experience to tag along as the men took a trip down their wartime memory lane.
 
Below you’ll see pictures of our veterans from their time in the service and then together at the museum. The quote from MacArthur is worth pausing on.
 
The conversation with Tyler, Milton, Frank and Bill was wonderful. The time with them overall was incredibly special. The veterans are in good health, can walk and get around well, are mentally sharp, and tremendously upbeat. My take is that you can’t live as long as they have, see as much as they have, endure as much as they have, and not be truly special human beings. As for Tyler, he makes you feel so good about America’s youth that he would do all this.
 
God bless Tyler Boland and the work he is doing, these men for all they have given us, and for all the men and women who fought to protect our freedom in World War Two.
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
 
One final note – Milton, Frank and Bill, when you read and watch this, I’d like to just say one more time, THANK YOU!