GENERAL OF THE DAY #2
General Bradley and Mr. Edwards had a lifelong relationship that began after the end of WWII. General Bradley asked Mr. Edwards if there was something he could do for disabled veterans, especially paraplegics.
Ralph Edwards produced, directed and starred in the hit series, This Is Your Life. The following information is reprinted from the This Is Your Life website. General Omar Bradley asked Ralph to do something to help returning World War II veterans, especially paraplegics. He said they were depressed and reluctant to see anyone, including their families. Ralph's ingenious solution was to profile a returning hero on his radio program, which created a "voice" for all veterans.
A paraplegic at Birmingham General Hospital in Van Nuys, California, Lawrence Tranter was selected as the first honoree. His story was told by surprising him with people from his past - family, friends, school teachers, and others - in an emotion-filled episode. Knowing Tranter had ambitions to be a watch repair technician, the show arranged for him to attend the Bulova School of Watchmaking in New York.
Two years later, Tranter returned to Truth or Consequences with his training completed, a beautiful new wife, and a new lease on life. To top it all off, Ralph presented him with the keys to his own fully stocked watch repair store in his hometown of Murray, Utah. As Ralph first spoke the phrase, "This Is Your Life, Lawrence Tranter, he realized he had a whole new show in the making. Later, Mr. Edwards honored General of the Army Omar N. Bradley with this episode.
TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F.]
SGT Robert George SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas
Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SGT Philip Roncari SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SP5 Michael Rathbun CW5 (Join to see) SPC Margaret Higgins Cynthia Croft
SGT Michael Thorin MSgt Jason McClish COL Mikel J. Burroughs ] SrA Christopher Wright