Updated: 5/14/2010 3:10:48 PM
 |
Surviving a plane crash and later recovering from a gunshot wound is just the beginning of the survival story for 92 year old Cecil Forinash.
His 65 page book details his 30 year career in the Army, including his work as a military lawyer, but our interview with Mr. Forinash focused on his time as a prisoner of war in World War II. In our interview, Mr. Forinash recounts his memory of the Bataan Death March in the Philippines. He survived that infamous march and more than three and-a-half years as a POW.
Below he also took time to answer 10 questions we have asked several veterans featured in our series.
1. What one person influenced you most in life?
MJ Tandy. Coach and teacher in high school. I always wanted to be a teacher like him. I bonded well with him.
2. Do you feel honored and respected for serving your country?
Not particularly.
3. How can people thank you for your service?
I thank them. I enjoyed my military life. And I think I did a good job. I think I did it well.
4. How do you honor your fellow service men and women?
I go to various meetings and contribute organizations that support veterans.
5. How do you think this generation of service men and women is different or similar to yours?
Back when I went in the service times were very difficult for everyone. I think more so than they are now. I think at war they're facing similar dangers.
6. What influence did your military service have on the rest of your life?
It has been my life. I did prosecute in the courts here. I have always been a military man.
7. Does your family have a history of military service?
No. Not that I know of. I do have a nephew that is a West Point Graduate.
8. Would you encourage younger generations in your family to join the service?
Oh sure. I enjoyed it. I loved it.
9. How has your opinion of war changed?
I don't think it has changed. We need to try to avoid all wars but once we get into them we need to go full-bore. I think we do need to get back to the draft. That would be the fair thing to do.
10. How did your military experience shape your faith?
It strengthened it. I've been a Methodist my whole life. Even as a years as a POW I maintained my faith. If you didn't have that you didn't have anything.