09/21/2014 9:59:14 AM PDT
· 18 of 22 F105Girl
to LuvFreeRepublic
You are right! It has been an emotional roller coaster for me since I started this project. I knew nothing about F-105s...and when I met G.I. Basel’s daughters asked me to write a script based on their father’s book, Pak Six, I never expected to become so involved. I love all of those who served and hope I can get something done to honor both the pilots and their incredible ground crews.
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m not giving up. I love these guys—not only have the pilots been forgotten, but their amazing ground crews have been terribly neglected. So many of them developed serious health problems and have gotten the run around.
I was honored that Leo Thorsness, awarded the Medal of Honor, contacted me and also encouraged me. He has been a great source of inspiration...as have all the other F-105 pilots I have had the honor of meeting or becoming email pals.
It is an emotional journey for me...to hear their stories...to feel their frustration that their bravery has not been recognized.
The greatest Weasel of all times was Billy Sparks — Sparky was kind enough to share with me all of his stories about life at Takhli — these stories really helped me when I wrote a script based on on G.I. Basel’s book. I have called the movie version, Operation Rolling Thunder. Unfortunately, although I have had scripts option in Hollywood before, I can’t get to the right people with this exciting story. It would take Bellisario or Bruckheimer to do it—and they would both understand the importance of the F-105 pilots, who have been forgotten because that was what LBJ wanted. Also tried John Travolta, who is a pilot himself...still no luck. But I keep slogging away at it. Starting every morning at 05:00!