Brooks was cared for in his final 12 months by his daughter Vanessa. Vanessa spoke with the Related Press again in October concerning the toll caregiving took on her financially, and the sacrifices she and others made to help getting older veterans like Brooks. “I need him to be comfy, joyful and himself. If I can preserve him in his proper way of thinking till God calls him house, that’s my intent.”
In line with all reviews, Vanessa did simply that.
The Military was nonetheless segregated in World Conflict II, and Brooks didn’t obtain the identical advantages for his service that his white counterparts acquired. Brooks spent a great period of time stationed in Australia, the place he was handled with extra dignity than he had acquired from his own residence nation. Brooks informed reporters that when he regarded again at a few of the time he spent in Australia in the course of the conflict, he couldn’t assist however evaluate his remedy there to his remedy at house. “I used to be handled so significantly better in Australia than I used to be by my very own white individuals. I puzzled about that.”
Vanessa informed CBS Information in December that she has hope that whereas her father was denied the advantages of a free faculty training by the G.I. Invoice, in addition to housing alternatives due to our nation’s racism, she would possibly nonetheless have a shot. She stated she believed her father was alive for therefore lengthy as a result of he held on to the dream that in some unspecified time in the future our nation would do proper by him. “It is too late for him, however he needs me to go to high school and I wish to go to Tulane, nevertheless it’s only a dream. If the G.I. Invoice is revived, I am going to have the chance to return to high school on my daddy’s shoulders.”
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In line with the Nationwide WWII Museum’s president, Stephen Wilson, who spent time with Brooks throughout the final years of his life, Brooks remained an optimistic drive. “He was a beloved good friend, a person of nice religion and had a mild spirit that impressed these round him. He proudly served our nation throughout World Conflict II, and returned house to serve his neighborhood and church. His kindness, smile and humorousness related him to generations of people that liked and admired him.”
Brooks had marked his 112th birthday with a “drive-by celebration” in entrance of his New Orleans house this previous September. In line with the Nationwide WWII Museum, Brooks’ birthdays since 2014 have been hosted by the museum.
Brooks’ spouse Leona handed away in 2008. He is survived by 4 kids, 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Take pleasure in the video under of Brooks speaking about a harrowing expertise he had in the course of the conflict. Relaxation in peace.
