| It began as a project to bless his family with his story.
It has become much more. Robbie Robinson, in his latest publication, Wings of Gold,
blesses the American people who want to know more about this unique time and heroic people
whom Tom Brokaw calls "the Greatest Generation." As you get to know Robbie and
his wife Joan, who represent that generation, you would agree with that assessment. Theirs
was a generation that willingly gave their lives in the midst of a global crisis but are
often embarrassed when others point out the nobility of such selfless sacrifice.
 Wings of Gold is an
account of World War II from the eyes of those who were there. Most of the chapters
describe the war in the South Pacific from the cockpit of Navy war birds. But we also read
about a young, adventuresome Robbie Robinson sailing an 18-foot boat from Seattle to
Alaska in 1939; we see young Robbie become the first government-trained and certificated
pilot in the Territory of Alaska (which wasn't a state yet); we meet young pilots learning
to fly huge, noisy machines which can just as easily take your life as save it, either in
training or in battle; we read of heroism and self-sacrifice in battle; we see the war
through the eyes of wives left behind; we picture the D-Day Landings from the viewpoint of
a naval engineer in an engine room of the only heavy cruiser not sunk by enemy forces in
the War; and we relive the first test firing of air-to-ground missiles in the history of
naval aviation on what is now the China Lake Ordnance Testing Center (yes, this was Robbie
in October of 1943). The personal accounts of nearly a dozen participants in the fighting
and debilitation of war are alive and vibrant with the inspirational hope and courage of
this "greatest of all generations."
You can read more about the book at Robbie's developing website: www.navywingsofgold.com. You'll see a beautiful
color rendition of the front page, excerpts of key chapters, and the remarks from some who
have already read the book, including some of those whose stories are chronicled within
the pages.
Originally called Memories of World War II, Robbie had been concerned about leaving a
description for his family of what it was like to live through World War II. He was
interested in leaving a written legacy that would help family and friends understand the
times and how the times forged their characters. He spent many, many hours verifying
accounts and obtaining the corroboration he needed to ensure the accuracy of each story.
Many of the stories recorded here had never been told before. For example, in Chapter 16,
Lt. Leonard Muskin's story contains a miraculous account of him being saved from certain
death. It was so unusual and unique, that he had never shared it with his family.
 Another
insightful chapter is Chapter 19, Joan's description of the war from her perspective, and
her youthful wartime romance with Robbie. Robbie hadn't seen Joan for 2 years and only
returned to California long enough to have one date with her and ask for her hand in
marriage on the same date! He did give her three days to think about it, though. Joan was
courageous enough to take a wartime chance, like so many others. Joan recalls, "My
mind was made up and I was sure. When Robbie called (three days later), I said, 'Yes, I
will marry you. I do love you and I think I always have.'"
Today they say, with twinkles in their eyes, that they're still working on that marriage:
"It was an impulsive wartime marriage and now, after 58 years, it might still work
out." Joan's chapter is one of those chapters Robbie added as he kept searching for
the right mix of stories and kept editing, and re-editing the text and pictures. In
hindsight, this book would not have been complete without her unique insights and
descriptions of the "other half" of the war ... at home.
Modern generations do not have the same "grid" for understanding what it was
like in those days of world war. This book should help bridge that generation gap. Some of
Robbie's closest friends lost their lives due to seemingly insignificant details. The
difference between life and death was often minuscule. Those who survived realized that
they could just as well have been killed. Those who survived seemed to "owe
something" to those who had died ... and had an obligation to "tell their
story." This book helps tell their stories. Robbie says that the only real heroes in
that war were the ones who died - the ones who so willingly gave their lives.
But there is another type of hero. It's the type who is walking around today, though few
in number, who are telling the story. These heroes and heroines are leaving us a written
legacy that reveals a monumental, unwritten legacy of courage and character passed on to
us, along with our freedoms. We can then pass them on to following generations.
When one
of the wives of the men who contributed to Robbie's book read the chapter about her
husband, she was overcome with emotion and gratitude. She had never entirely understood
what her husband had gone through. He wasn't very adept at sharing the experience. Though
she was a strong woman who never cried, she wept over the pages of "her
chapter." Perhaps this is the greatest thanks that can be received by those who have
survived to "tell the story." Perhaps, on this Memorial Day 2001, we could join
with her in saying to Robbie and to Joan, and to those whom they represent of the WWII
generation, "Thank you so much for what you have done, what you have written, and how
you have shared your life selflessly. God bless you!"
Robbie and Joan are the parents of Senior Pastor Tri
Robinson. They moved from their ranch in California to Boise in 1998. They lead a
Discipleship Group and are loved and appreciated for their active involvement in the lives
of so many at Vineyard Boise. |
