Inside History: "Sky Hero"

There are many ways to tell stories. But you always hear a picture is worth a thousand word...  More »

There are many ways to tell stories. But you always hear a picture is worth a thousand words. And as Tom Gerhardt shows us tonight, that's more than true with a unique exhibit at the Heritage Center. North Dakota Remembers World War II. It's a powerful exhibit at the Heritage Center. A local artist is honoring our veterans by taking the time to listen to there stories. But it's how Scott Nelson is sharing what he's learned that will last for generations to come. Black ThursdayOctober 14th 1943a day George Ott nearly lost his life. This Painting captures it all. 11:05 I lost my engine, that was shot out and I was on fire, and so all the crew was out already when I jumped. 11:20 The crew jumped from 25-thousand feet. Worried about a lack of oxygenGeorge says he didn't pull his rip cord until he could make out the shapes of trees on the ground. George spent months as a POWbefore returning to farm near New England. Thanks to rural Solen artist Scott NelsonOtt's storyand the stories of other local veteranswill never be forgotten. Scott: I've researched em, I've went to websites, I've had historians help me to get to make sure that everything is accurate in the pictures. Make sure the planes are accurate and the markings on them. Nelson's portfolio includes 12 oil paintings. He wants each to convey a feeling. George Ott: I had a picture of that taken over in England and so he painted from the picture and that was the day I got shot down. Not all days were like Black Thursday. There were better days like in May of 1943the day George met royalty. The day that was taken we were on a training mission and the group called and said to get our butts over to Bassinborn that's where Bob Morgan finished the first 25 missions and they wanted, the king and queen to see the YB-40 which was nothing but a fighter destroyer because we carried no bombs. Needless to sayit's a day George will always remember. Oh yes it was, by God that was something, jeepers. Hell, I never washed my hand for a month. There are others paintings featuring other local veterans: Our Babyhi-liting the story of Bucky Cleven. The Agony Wagonsigned by Del Skjod. And Marines Over Tokyowith Whiskey Bill Reynolds. All tell real storiesof real North Dakota Veteransat a time when many of these stories are fading away. You'll notice something more on the originals. Each veteran leaves his signaturea stamp of approval on an important piece of the past. If you'd like more information on these veterans and the paintings...visit the artists website at scottnelsonart.com Taking you Inside History, I'm Tom Gerhardt.  « Less