KRIS 6 screens 30-minute World War II documentary aboard USS Lexington

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·2 min read
6

World War II veteran Walter Skinner held onto Sarah Murphey's hand with his head bowed while watching KRIS 6 News' production "Summer of ’42: The Coastal Bend Goes to War" Thursday.

"It was phenomenal," Murphey said. "It makes me really happy I'm an American. It was wonderful. What can I say? It makes me want to cry."

Veteran Col. Walter Skinner watches a screening of the new KRIS 6 documentary "Summer of ’42: The Coastal Bend Goes to War" aboard the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.
Veteran Col. Walter Skinner watches a screening of the new KRIS 6 documentary "Summer of ’42: The Coastal Bend Goes to War" aboard the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.

Produced by KRIS 6, the 30-minute documentary includes photos and interviews with World War II veterans and children of people who were involved during the 1940s.

It screened during a private event aboard the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay and will premiere on the news channel at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

News anchor Pat Simon was the producer, creator and narrator of the special. An army veteran of 30 years, Simon told a crowd of attendees the project had been a labor of love for nearly half a year.

KRIS 6 News anchor Pat Simon speaks to the audience in a theater aboard the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay before the screening of the KRIS 6 documentary "Summer of ’42: The Coastal Bend Goes to War" on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.
KRIS 6 News anchor Pat Simon speaks to the audience in a theater aboard the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay before the screening of the KRIS 6 documentary "Summer of ’42: The Coastal Bend Goes to War" on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.

"It's so important we preserve the legacy of not only the Coastal Bend, but the United States," Simon said to attendees before the documentary was shown.

Ramon Pineda, general manager at KRIS 6, said the "spark" that inspired the production started on the flight deck of the USS Lexington months ago.

"I turned to Pat and said, 'Pat, I need you to meet Steve Banta,'" Pineda told attendees, referring to the executive director of the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, "'because this town is dressed in World War II history and we can't lose it. There's a reason we have a street called Yorktown and there's a reason SPID used to be the (Lexington), and it's a shame that some of those things are being forgotten.'

"Pat didn't let go of it. He latched on to it as a vet."

Cliff Strain, director of the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association, watches a screening of the new KRIS 6 documentary "Summer of ’42: The Coastal Bend Goes to War" aboard the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. Strain was one of the people featured in the film.
Cliff Strain, director of the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association, watches a screening of the new KRIS 6 documentary "Summer of ’42: The Coastal Bend Goes to War" aboard the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. Strain was one of the people featured in the film.

Jose Noe Mendez was one of the veterans included in the documentary. In the production, he talked about joining the military and recalled that he and his friends were "looking for adventure."

Cliff Strain, director of the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association, said the documentary expanded his knowledge of Corpus Christi history. He said he hopes it does the same for others who watch it.

"I don't think we can ever do enough for veterans," Strain said. "Every chance we get we need to stand up for them, help one out and say thank you. It'll never be enough to thank them for everything they've done for us and this country."

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: KRIS 6 screens 30-minute World War II documentary