Reading season starts with WWII theme
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World War II reenactor Thomas Philyaw shows One Book One Putnam participants some of his collection Thursday at the kickoff event for the annual reading initiative. -
John Alexander, chairman of the Conlee-Snyder Mural Committee, explains how the Veterans Memorial Mural came to fruition in Palatka. -
Reenactor Rob Matson stands with his naval collection Thursday at the One Book One Putnam kickoff event at the Palatka Golf Club. -
Matson points at a ship in an authentic book that helped identify ships during World War II. -
Positively Putnam FL
Patriotism filled the Palatka Golf Club on Thursday as bookworms and history fanatics gathered to celebrate the One Book One Putnam kickoff.
The reading initiative that encourages Putnam County residents to read is in its 19th year. The One Book One Putnam Committee chose the World War II historical fiction novel, “Red Burning Sky” by Tom Young, as this year’s selection.
“The idea is to get as many people (as possible) in Putnam County to read and talk about the same book,” One Book Committee member Stephen Crowley said.
“Red Burning Sky” is set in Yugoslavia in the summer of 1944 during World War II. Young, who is an air combat veteran, tells the story of “an elaborate rescue that required astonishing courage, sacrifice, and resilience,” according to the book’s summary.
Thursday’s kickoff featured tales from local residents about why the history of World War II is important to them. World War II reenactors also shared pieces of history they obtained in their decades of collecting.
Former Palatka Mayor Vernon Myers told a story about the time in 2010 when 24 WWII veterans from Putnam County traveled to Washington, D.C., where they were honored for their service at the World War II memorial.
War reenactors Thomas Philyaw and Rob Matson spoke to the crowd of people that filled the golf club about the respect they have for veterans who served America and why sharing history is vital.
“I do this to pass on the history of what people have sacrificed,” Philyaw said.
He shared items such as an authentic handheld field phone, ration box covers and replicas of Hershey’s candy bars during WWII.
Although the book centers mainly around the aviation side of the war, naval WWII collector Matson also showed some of his authentic Navy memorabilia. His collection included uniform gear, weapons and even declassified documents he found at a local antique shop.
“I’ve not served in the military but I so respect those who have. And it’s important to me to try to keep the history alive,” Matson said.
The event closed with presentations from One Book Chairman Bob Lee and John Alexander, chairman of the Conlee-Snyder Mural Committee in Palatka.
Lee retold a story about how his father survived an attack during WWII in which his father managed to survive after landing in a tree when his plane caught fire. He said his father was captured and put in a German prison that was later liberated by General George Patton Jr. himself.
Alexander not only explained the work that went into Palatka’s Veterans Memorial Mural on the corner of Sixth Street and St. Johns Avenue, but told the audience how WWII affected his family.
“My father was in WWII, and, of course, I didn’t get to know him. We lost him in that war,” Alexander said. “So I grew up without a father, but he was there for his country. And he paid the ultimate sacrifice for it.”
For people who still want to join the book discussion, there’s still time. The book discussion schedule had not yet been released Thursday, and copies of “Red Burning Sky” are still available at Needful Things, 908 St. Johns Ave. in Palatka.
The reading season ends March 9 when the author is scheduled to pay Palatka a visit.