The USS Craven
Robert Greenleaf is Westfield’s only living survivor of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. A veteran of the US Navy, Greenleaf was just 19 years old when the attack happened. He shared his memories of the event with producer Dave Fraser.
Women Ordinance Workers filled the jobs of the men who left for wartime military service; 1000’s of women hammered steel and shaped wood into rifles at the Springfield Armory. Referred to as “WOW” these women played an integral role in the success of this nation’s military efforts. We talked with several of these women about their experiences during this pivotal moment in American History.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, (D) – Springfield – 2ndCongressional District, discusses the total cost of U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as work to wind down those conflicts. We’ll also discuss efforts to maintain Massachusetts military bases as the Pentagon plans major cuts, continuing concerns over the future financial stability of Social Security and pressing other issues.
U.S. Representative, Richard E. Neal
Marine Sergeant Joshua Bouchard of Granby, MA was on his second deployment when he lost his left leg and broke his back after his vehicle drove over a pressure plated IED in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on July 8th, 2009. While out on a night mission, Sgt. Bouchard and four other Marines were injured in the blast. On April 27th the non profit agency Homes for Our Troops began construction on a specially adapted home for Josh in his hometown.
Local World War II veterans Larry Batley, Lionel Brindamour and Bob Tyler will discuss their experiences in the military during the Second World War along with Elise Forbes Tripp, author of “American Veterans on War: Personal Stories from WWII to Afghanistan,” which includes their stories.
