A Long Awaited Update
Much has happened since my last update. As usual, that is your cue to get a cup of coffee and get settled in comfortably in your chair because this will probably take quite awhile....
First of all in March I joined in a program designed to help people transition from the workforce into college. It's been several decades since I last cracked open a textbook and after all this time my math skills needed some serious honing. I have to admit the first few days were not necessarily what I expected and I nearly walked out, but now that it's all over I am glad I stuck to my guns and took advantage of everything they had to offer.. In fact, I enjoyed the classes so much I will be returning to them as a teacher's assistant on May 15th. Many thanks go out to my instructors, Nancy Long and Terry Branch and a shout out to everyone who was in the class with me, John, Darlene, Tabby, Gail, Howard, Rodney, Stan, Marie, and Becky.
Obviously this is all the first tentative steps of my return to the world of academia. If all goes as planned I will be starting at Marshall University's Mid-Ohio Valley Center in August. While I am saddened that I will have to set my research on the back burner, I feel this is a necessary step in my growth as a person (and historian). Hopefully it will later lead me to a point where education and research converge – which would be the ultimate circumstance of this decision. If not, I still can not imagine how obtaining a degree could have a negative effect upon my future endeavors.
My research will continue, albeit at a very much reduced rate. I have uncovered an amazing amount of new material on the Fightin’ 79th since the initial release. I am still planning to release an expanded and enhanced version, (more on that as this missive continues). Already I have reworked large sections of the CD-ROM and made a few corrections where necessary. I have also made contact with several new people who have direct connections to the 20th Fighter Group, including the families of Lt. Col. Harold Rau, Lt. Col. Mark Hubbard and Col. Barton Russell and hope to correspond with them much more in the coming months.
I have also reconnected with Martin Kösters, an aviation researcher from Germany who already has uncovered an amazing amount of material regarding Lt. Denis Alison, a 77th Fighter Squadron pilot who was killed in action in November, 1944. Martin has also uncovered the crash site of Maj. Richard Ott and has promised to share his photographs of the area.
I am also in negotiations with Landzedge Productions concerning some footage of “Putt Putt Maru”, the P-38 Lightning which, until recently, was in the collection of the Lone Star Flight Museum, in Galveston, Texas. I believe this will be an excellent addition to the walkaround section of the CD-ROM and a nice compliment to Mike Shreeve’s photographs of the restored P-38F “Glacier Girl”.
The Art of Syd Edwards website has been put on hold until July and we're hoping to make a huge announcement about some upcoming events at that time! As usual, keep watching this space for more information.
Finally, I would like to make mention of the passing of two aviation legends, Scott Crossfield and Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott. Both of these men spent their lives trying to better the world of aviation and their loss is deeply felt by anyone who came in contact with them. I had the privilege of corresponding with both men and their autographs hold places of honor in my collection.
Don't forget, we're still taking orders, just e-mail us for more information!
-S-
BACK TO FIGHTIN' 79TH
First of all in March I joined in a program designed to help people transition from the workforce into college. It's been several decades since I last cracked open a textbook and after all this time my math skills needed some serious honing. I have to admit the first few days were not necessarily what I expected and I nearly walked out, but now that it's all over I am glad I stuck to my guns and took advantage of everything they had to offer.. In fact, I enjoyed the classes so much I will be returning to them as a teacher's assistant on May 15th. Many thanks go out to my instructors, Nancy Long and Terry Branch and a shout out to everyone who was in the class with me, John, Darlene, Tabby, Gail, Howard, Rodney, Stan, Marie, and Becky.
Obviously this is all the first tentative steps of my return to the world of academia. If all goes as planned I will be starting at Marshall University's Mid-Ohio Valley Center in August. While I am saddened that I will have to set my research on the back burner, I feel this is a necessary step in my growth as a person (and historian). Hopefully it will later lead me to a point where education and research converge – which would be the ultimate circumstance of this decision. If not, I still can not imagine how obtaining a degree could have a negative effect upon my future endeavors.
My research will continue, albeit at a very much reduced rate. I have uncovered an amazing amount of new material on the Fightin’ 79th since the initial release. I am still planning to release an expanded and enhanced version, (more on that as this missive continues). Already I have reworked large sections of the CD-ROM and made a few corrections where necessary. I have also made contact with several new people who have direct connections to the 20th Fighter Group, including the families of Lt. Col. Harold Rau, Lt. Col. Mark Hubbard and Col. Barton Russell and hope to correspond with them much more in the coming months.
I have also reconnected with Martin Kösters, an aviation researcher from Germany who already has uncovered an amazing amount of material regarding Lt. Denis Alison, a 77th Fighter Squadron pilot who was killed in action in November, 1944. Martin has also uncovered the crash site of Maj. Richard Ott and has promised to share his photographs of the area.
I am also in negotiations with Landzedge Productions concerning some footage of “Putt Putt Maru”, the P-38 Lightning which, until recently, was in the collection of the Lone Star Flight Museum, in Galveston, Texas. I believe this will be an excellent addition to the walkaround section of the CD-ROM and a nice compliment to Mike Shreeve’s photographs of the restored P-38F “Glacier Girl”.
The Art of Syd Edwards website has been put on hold until July and we're hoping to make a huge announcement about some upcoming events at that time! As usual, keep watching this space for more information.
Finally, I would like to make mention of the passing of two aviation legends, Scott Crossfield and Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott. Both of these men spent their lives trying to better the world of aviation and their loss is deeply felt by anyone who came in contact with them. I had the privilege of corresponding with both men and their autographs hold places of honor in my collection.
Don't forget, we're still taking orders, just e-mail us for more information!
-S-BACK TO FIGHTIN' 79TH
posted by Syd Edwards at 4:45 PM
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