Keely Rodgers

Keely Rodgers

I come from a long line of military people. My father is a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy, two of his brothers were also in the Navy, my Mother's brother, William John Hewitt, was a US Marine, her father, William Hewitt, was a Fitter Marine with the Air Sea Rescue in the Royal Air Force during World War II, and her mother, Winifred Grace Campbell, was a Wireless Operator in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Also on my mother's side of the family was my Great Uncle Colin Campbell in the British Army, Great Uncle Alan Campbell in the British Army, Great Great Uncle Peter Hepburn in the British Army, Third Cousin Tom Dick in the Royal Navy, and Great Uncle Richard Williams in the US Navy, all during World War II. I also had several other relatives who served in World War I, including my Great Granda William John Hewitt, and other wars.

Of all my relatives that served in World War II I have only ever known one of them, my Great Uncle Richard Williams. It was from not ever getting to meet my Grandmother and Granda and hear their stories that really sparked my interest in military history, specifically in World War II. From this spark my interest in history grew. Though I prefer to learn about military history I have started to branch off into others interests during my time at North Carolina State University, but my main interest still remains in military history and World War II. I have strived to learn everything and anything I can about World War II in order to maybe learn a little something about what my grandparents and other relatives would have experienced and I will continue to do so.

Other then that I just find World War II fascinating and take any chance I get to talk to a veteran and listen to their stories. Most veterans I have met do not have any kind of record of what they experienced during the war or of any stories they like to tell and as they get older and eventually pass away their stories and experiences go with them. To me that is very sad and a waste because so many people are not taught about the wars and I believe that the stories and experiences of veterans would be very beneficial to everyone.

These two pictures are of my Granda, William Hewitt, Fitter Marine, Air Sea Rescue, Royal Air Force and my Grandmother, Winifred Grace Campbell, Wireless Operator, Royal Air Force during World War II.

Rodgers, Keely

2013-03-12

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