Zev and Frannie's little girl passed away last week.

I wanted to let readers of this blog and the families we met during our filming of our WWII projects that Fran and Zev's little girl passed away last week.

Zev and Fran Esquenazi are two of my closest friends and they worked extremely hard photographing and producing our WWII segments a few years ago. Two years ago they had a little girl and they soon found out she had a little known disease called mitochondrial disease.

Here is a wonderful photo montage that their friends Jennifer and Bruce Stockert made for the memorial service.

They have a blog that chronicles the life of their baby Leah.
http://princessleahdiaries.blogspot.com/  -

and they also have a facebook page called

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/May-the-Force-be-with-the-Princess-LEAH/166607313399901?fref=ts.

Last week, Leah lost her battle even though she was quite a fighter.

Leah's memorial service was on Sunday morning. Here is link to the service -



Seeing my two friends in such sadness was the most heart-breaking thing I have ever encountered. Luckily, they have a great support system of friends in Los Angeles (and around the world). Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers!


Rest in Peace, Leah...

NEW VIDEO: Col. Arthur W. Owen, Jr. Tribute Part 01

In part 1 of the video tribute to Col. Arthur W. Owen, Jr., he tells us about his life before joining WWII.






This newspaper clipping from June 1944 was sent to me by Art's widow Monique. It reports that Art went missing on April 29, 1944. In a future video we will hear the story from Art about being shot down and then joining the French Resistance.

NEW VIDEO - Col. Arthur W. Owen, Jr. is Missing in Action

Col. James M. Hughes tells us about his friend, Col. Arthur W. Owen, Jr. , who is lost during a mission in WWII.

NEW VIDEO - COL. JAMES M. HUGHES - S4 Officer

Col. James M. Hughes was as S-4 officer with the 354th Fighter Group's Head Quarters. In this new video, he tells us about his duties in WWII.

Col. Hughes also tells us about the times Joe Louis, Bob Hope and Jerry Colonna visited the men of the 354th Fighter Group.

NEW VIDEO - CAPTAIN JOHN E. BOYDSTUN - SPECIAL SERVICES OFFICER

Captain John E. Boydstun talks about being a Special Service officer with the 354th Fighter Group's HQ. His duties included arranging entertainment for the troops. Additional information is given by Col. James M. Hughes regarding General George Patton.

New Video - Peter Wilson - Armorer and Track Coach

Peter Wilson was an armorer in the 354th Fighter Group. After the Germans were defeated, many of the US troops stayed overseas. Activities were created to keep the troops happy and active. Peter was assigned to coach a track team made up of men from the 354th Fighter Group.

After the war, Peter continued his formal education and then became a high school history teacher and coach.

Peter stayed active and fit his entire life and is a true inspiration. His love of life is so contagious! Throughout my life I had a number of inspirational teachers and I am proud to be able to showcase this tribute to an outstanding teacher and person!

New Video - Frank Vicerca Tribute

Peter Wilson, an armorer in the 356th Fighter Squadron during WWII, tells us about Frank Vicerca's untimely death.

Both Frank and Peter were corporals and armorers in the 354th Fighter Group.