THE INSIDE LOOP
A CONVERSATION WITH A
WORLD WAR II VETERAN
AND AEROMODELER
By Jay Smith, Executive Editor | jays@modelaircraft.org
I RECENTLY ATTENDED an event that featured a few notable veterans as guests. I was eager to meet Pvt. George Merz. My interest and connection to George was twofold; we are both former U.S. Army military police (MP), and he was in Normandy during D-Day. He also participated in the Battle of the Bulge. My grandfather landed on Omaha Beach during D-Day and was also in the Battle of the Bulge.
I brought a copy of Model Aviation to give to George. As we began to discuss his service with the 818th MP Company, he seemed excited to chat with a fellow MP; however, when he learned that I was an aeromodeler and saw the magazine, he was very excited to share with me that he has been a lifelong modeler and a former AMA member. He had also been a club officer in Kentucky.
George turned 98 the day before I met him, and the day after I met him was the anniversary of him leaving for Europe to take part in World War II. We chatted for about 30 minutes, with the conversation split between his war experience and his hobby of aeromodeling.
George shared stories about getting started in aeromodeling at roughly age six and spoke fondly of his Rudder Bug and flying with escapements. The last aircraft he built was an S.E.5a from World War I.
George turned 98 the day before I met him, and the day after I met him was the anniversary of him leaving for Europe to take part in World War II. We chatted for about 30 minutes, with the conversation split between his war experience and his hobby of aeromodeling. For me, the experience was humbling. I was able to have a conversation with George that I never had the chance to have with my grandfather because he died before I was old enough to understand why he was part of the “Greatest Generation.”
I always enjoy talking about the hobby with others, and my experience of meeting and talking to George will not soon be forgotten.
