Another half hour of Hattebergs People is ready to roll.

And coming up.

What happens, happens.

You can't change your lot in life.

Get used to it.

Straight talk from a man who not only survived but also found a way to thrive after losing his hands and eyes.

Bill Wedekinds story is a dose of reality and inspiration.

Also.

One thing I learned about coming here.

There's so many good Americans.

Felisa Ramos had a life of unexpected turns that produced pleasant surprises.

Hers was a life of love and music that we will revisit also.

I live in the past and I live in the present.

And I'm always living in the future.

I'm always looking forward to something to go to.

A man for all times.

Henry T. “Smitty ” Smith was one of America's first exhibition Skydivers.

He was famous in his day, but by 1979, was lamenting that perhaps the glory days were over.

But were they really?

You'll find out.

And just enjoy pleasing the people.

Sometimes I get awful tired of pleasing them, but I enjoy pleasing most of the time.

Bill Jackson was in the twilight of his days and still doing what he loved.

But he was thinking about retirement in 2006.

We'll take you back to that time and to the place.

Mulvane, Kansas.

Hello, I'm Susan Peters.

And I'm Larry Hatteberg.

We hope you stick around for those stories and a whole lot more coming up on this edition of Hattebergs People.

These stories are like old friends.

Their lives radiate from the screen, like prophets of the past.

They were teachers, but not in a classroom.

Instead, they taught about life to those around them who cared to listen.

And I was their student.

The world is full of people with problems, whether mental, physical or circumstantial.

If you're going through something right now, we want you to watch this first story.

It may give you inspiration and realize that you're not alone.

And seldom have I met anyone who has overcome life's tragedies like Bill Wedekind.

This optimistic man has no reason to be that way, though.

His life took a mean turn.

But Bill took his Marine training to heart, and for years now he has inspired all who meet him.

Just about anything can be overcome, provided you're willing to work hard enough to do it.

Near Westmoreland, Kansas, in a deeply rural setting, Bill Wedekind is contemplating the rest of his life.

Normally what I do when I'm relaxing is just sit out here relaxing is smoke my pipe and drink my coke and enjoy the breeze.

It is a gorgeous summer day.

But Bill doesn't see that he's blind and he has no hands.

What happens, happens.

You can't change is your lot in life.

Get used to it and make the best out of it, which is what I had to decide to do is make the best out of what I had left.

He came from a family of Marines, but it was in Vietnam, near Danang.

He encountered the booby trap.

The funny thing is, I was still conscious.

If you can believe it.

God kind of protects you once in a while.

There's some things it's best not to remember, and I think that's one of them.

You might think.

No sight, no hands.

Why go on?

But you haven't met Bill.

The choice was either to live or die.

And dying seemed like quitting.

That just didn't fly with this kid.

No.

And when you get an extra 40 years, you didn't expect as you probably shouldn't have gotten.

You can't help but be grateful for it.

In a moment that would change his life.

His grandmother suggested he become a potter.

Blind and no hands.

A potter?

I was a little afraid Grandma lost her mind because I was just barely functioning then.

So I tried it and was successful with it.

And I've been at it now since 1970 and love it.

The impossible can be done.

It just may... You just may have to work a little harder at it.

And like all of us... Bill has sometimes just simply wanted to give up.

You just want to quit.

You say, forget it.

I'm tired.

Tired of it all.

And I did think about checking out, but then I couldn't figure out a way I could do it.

So I was stuck.

But Bill never gave up.

His work as a master potter is testament to his beliefs.

He's one of those unique men forged by war whose Marine training perseveres.

That type of environment produced self-discipline and self-confidence.

But his mission now is to mold the lives of others like he molds the clay.

You just got to take what was given to you and make the best out of it.

I think it's what it's all about.

Bill now lives in San Antonio, Texas, and he continues his pottery work and his motivational speaking.

And when you see Bill and when I was around him, you almost forget that life dealt him a hard blow because he is so positive when he has no reason to be.

I mean, and the motivational speaking and what he says.

It's unbelievable.

It can give anyone inspiration.

No matter what you're going through.

And God bless him.

God bless him.

And I'm glad he's still around doing what he's doing and inspiring other people.

He's a good man.

In 1983, 19 American soldiers were killed during the US invasion of Grenada.

The purpose of the mission was to rescue 600 American medical students after a revolution erupted there.

7300 U.S. troops were deployed and during the three day invasion, their families were waiting and praying for the best.

It might have been just another day for Marge Roberson as she tried to catch up on her work at the family liquor store.

It might have been, except that today she learned that her son, Brad Roberson, a soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division, may arrive back at Fort Bragg on Friday.

I don't know.

It's just like a big weight is lifted off and thats all there is to it.

You know, we're just both so excited about the whole thing.

And I've been on the phone all morning calling relatives and saying, guess what?

And that kind of stuff.

Brad was in one of the first units to go into Grenada, and although the Pentagon won't say officially, Marge says her sources indicate preparations are underway to welcome the men back at Fort Bragg later in the week.

You know, Im just not getting anything done in here this morning.

And I really don't care whether or not, because I just, you know, I'm just waiting to hear.

Across town, another mother waits and writes to her son, Captain Dennis Jennings, who is also in Grenada and also in the 82nd Airborne.

Mabel Jennings says she hasn't heard a word from him, nor has he received any information concerning his arrival back in the States.

And there have been times when I would be sitting, doing work, and all of a sudden I'd find myself just weeping, not loudly, but tears streaming down my face.

And it's really been very, very emotional.

Actually, the last final report of him speaking himself was a week ago, last Monday night.

All across the United States and cities and towns just like Newton, mothers and fathers wait for their sons to come back home.

And although the Defense Department cannot confirm that the 82nd Airborne will arrive back at Fort Bragg on Friday, reporters tonight in Grenada say that elements of the 82nd are packing up and heading back to the states.

For these Newton families, that's more than they've heard all week.

And for them, it gives them hope in the heartland.

Larry Hatteberg, TV Ten News.

Now, fortunately, both of these young men returned home safely.

Brad Roberson ended up serving more than 20 years in the Army.

He now works in a civilian government job in Colorado Springs.

His mother, Marge, went on to become a Newton city councilwoman and then a Harvey County commissioner.

She's now retired but still lives in Newton.

And the other mother in the story, Mabel Jennings, passed away in 2010, and we're not sure at this point what has become of her son, Dennis.

At least it had a good outcome.

Yes, I remember those days long ago, but that's one of those little wars we don't remember much about.

We don't talk about.

We don't remember.

Yeah, we're glad they're both came home safe.

And as we said before, we try to get a hold of the people in these stories and tell you where they are now.

We try our darndest.

Sometimes we're not successful.

But our producer, Jim Grawe, does a great job of it.

But he is incredible.

If anyone knows where Dennis is, call Jim at kpts.org.

Oh, there you go.

Now, imagine the year is 1979 and years earlier.

You had been a famous daredevil, but now you lament that your days of jumping out of airplanes is over and your glory days are over.

Well, that was the predicament facing Henry T “Smitty ” Smith.

He was one of those aviation pioneers that most people today had never heard of him.

Well, back in 1979, he was still known, but not like it was in the good old days.

I used to dream about jumping when I was just a kid and fell out of the bed one time.

Might have jumped off the bed.

I don't know.

Now, although Smitty hasn't jumped in five years, his home in the 600 block of East 49th North exudes the unusual aspects of his life that has made Smitty a living legend, a windsock, a miniature skydiver, and signs all proclaim that an unusual man resides here.

I live in the past and I live in the present.

And I'm always living in the future.

I'm always looking forward for something to go to.

No one loves flying and parachuting more than Smitty.

He even has a book about his exploits, but it's his Wall of Fame that brings him joy.

Hundreds of pictures and other memorabilia of his career in the air.

Smitty made his last jump five years ago at the age of 75.

As this cast shows, the jump was not successful and Smitty was severely injured.

It may have been his last jump, but if memories were money, Smitty would be a millionaire.

And when I go to Florida now and go up in these big planes, DC-3s and big flying boxcar of maybe 30 guys go right out of the tailgate, you know, and I'm up there just as an observer.

Yeah, I just feel let down.

Wearing a jacket that's unique to Smitty, the sound of an airplane engine begs him to go outside.

When I hear a plane flying close by.

Kind of low overhead.

I go out and give him a wave.

I say, there's one happy person up there and wishing I was with you.

From Smitty's house.

This is Larry Hatteberg.

Well, Smitty did start jumping again, doing tandem skydives, meaning he was tethered to a skilled younger skydiver.

Then in 1985, he set the record at the time for the oldest person to ever jump out of a plane.

He was 88, and he jumped with his son, Smitty made his last tandem jump in 1990.

He was 91 years old.

In all, Smitty did 221 jumps in his lifetime time.

He lived to be 96, and just as he wished, Smitty was laid to rest in his jumpsuit.

A group of planes flew over the cemetery and a flock of skydivers parachuted down to the gravesite.

The last one carrying an American flag.

That is so cool.

What better tribute to Smitty than to have all that happen?

He was one of a kind, and I was fortunate to meet him and everybody in north Wichita knew who he was.

And it was he was just a fascinating man and lit up the life of everybody who touched him.

And I'm so glad we could reintroduce him to people who were not alive at that time.

And now everybody else knows Smitty.

All right.

That's the 1970s.

Seventies.

Okay.

Yeah.

Your voice sounds a little bit different.

It does.

Okay.

So I was asking Larry and my voice sounds different in old stories, too, because I listen to old story.

And so you think it's the technology?

I think part of it is the technology.

Back in the seventies, broadcasting was still very young at that point.

Yeah.

And technology wasn't moving as fast as it did today.

As it does today.

And it.

Recorded differently, but.

It recorded slightly differently.

Back then and then, I think the other thing is that as I grew older, not that I've gotten older, but as I grew older, my voice has gone deeper.

It's it's a lot it's very, very nice now.

Im glad it's.

Gotten deeper, Larry.

Well, good.

I like it down there, too.

People ask me about that all the time.

These old stories, Larry, sounds different.

You sound different.

Yeah, we do.

We're now mature.

But we're but we're still Susan and Larry.

There you go.

Okay.

The next story is about a woman who began her life in the Philippines.

As a young woman.

Felisa Ramos came to Wichita to pursue a medical career and then to raise a family.

As an old woman, she rediscovered her talent from her youth that added joy and purpose to her golden years.

I just feel I have a connection to God by playing the piano.

Felisa Ramos has been playing the piano since she was six years old, coming here to the U.S. to get her degree in medical technology In the 1960s.

She met her husband, Ray.

Now he has since passed away.

But now with three daughters and six grandchildren, her life is busy.

I'm really busier now than when I was working.

Her love of music has always been part of her life, but it wasn't until her retirement that she noticed people were taking notice of her.

I can just sit down here and all my problems are gone.

She plays at country clubs, at Chelsea's, in hotels and rest homes.

And as she does, she is Inspiring others to rekindle their earlier Musical spirits.

And they get so excited about it.

They ask me how they can go back to playing piano.

And I say, You dont have to play hard music.

Just simple music can make you feel good.

What also makes her feel good is spending time with grandchildren and on this day, By looking at old pictures.

I have three girls in there and they're all good to me.

My son in law, they're all good to me.

So I see my grandchildren.

When Felisa immigrated to this country in the 1960s, she had no intention of staying.

But marriage, family and job Offers took care of that.

Now, an American citizen, she says The people here have been kind.

One thing I learned about coming here, there's so many good Americans.

But her life now is her music.

And she has a CD out of her work with two more in the works.

I think I like people, thats why.

Everybody I met and I enjoy them.

And then and they like to play piano, I enjoy that.

Felisa is warm and gentle in person.

And then with her music, an irresistible musical personality is formed.

In faith and family.

I'm blessed and I that's why I cannot thank God enough for blessing me.

Well, Felisa lived another 13 years until her death in 2019.

She was 85 years old, and she did enjoy playing that piano.

I bet she continued up until her death was near and she went to heaven.

And now she's playing in heaven.

And people around here will probably remember her because she Played in so many different places.

She did.

I'm sure they'll remember.

We appreciate their work all the time, but we usually take them for granted.

What am I talking about?

The people we see on a regular basis, it seems like they'll always be there.

Yeah, Bill Jackson of Mulvane was one of those guys.

You'll love him.

He ran Bill's Service Station for many years, but in 2006, he was thinking about retiring.

Just enjoy pleasing the people.

Sometimes I get awful tired of pleasing them, but I enjoy it the most.

Bill Jackson's Mulvane Service station is a great place To watch the world go By.

I look more natural sitting right here.

Here kids know they can air up their bike tires Any time they want.

Since the early seventies, Bill has been at this location.

Fixing your tires... Lost a hole.

And simply enjoying the moment.

Yeah, we've had we've had some good days here.

But times change, and folks do get older.

So a few weeks ago, Bill thought it might be time for him to retire.

Well, I'm 77 years old and these tires are too heavy for the old man.

They asked me what kind of nail is that?

And I said, looks like a $12.50 nail to me because that's what I get for fixing tires.

Now he's made a town full of friends over the years.

Hi boys.

Everybody knows him.

Hey, come over here.

Smile!

Show lots of teeth.

But now it appears, despite talk of retirement, he now says things have changed and he may stick around for a while.

Well, I'm pretty good.

I've been at it all these years.

You want to know something about Mulvane, this is a place to come find out where its at.

Inside is a collection of John Wayne posters depict a man who never quit either.

Well, he was kind of one of my favorite actors.

I kind of grew up with him on the screen.

But no matter what his future.

He'll certainly have more time for family.

Okay, we got her.

You think she looks like me, Tanner?

Well, no matter who she looks like, Bill Jackson is a member of a generation that's just not ready to give it up quite yet.

A lot of good people.

If you'll blank him out, just blank him out.

Now, Bill had a few more years left, and then in 2012, he passed away at age 83.

And it was so nice to go down to Bills little gas station in Mulvane.

You know, the kids would come down there and he'd air up the bicycle tires and he changed tractor tires and he just looked like he was enjoying every moment.

I'm sure he was.

I bet he had the best life ever.

That simple life doing simple things that give you joy.

He did.

And what I like the most were in the afternoon.

The old guys would come down...

The old guys, the old guys would come down and sit in a chair and they'd just talk about old times or whatever they were interested in.

And it was just such a small town scene.

Is just great.

And it was still alive and well in 2006.

Yep, it Was.

I love that.

Hopefully.

Well, I was in Mulvane recently and went to their little museum and the train station.

I think it's still alive and well.

Mulvanes a great place.

Oh, wonderful little town.

Okay.

Many of us have dogs, but few of us are willing to do all that Bertha Hayes did for them.

You know, she really cared for them.

Bertha was a dedicated soldier in the effort to save as many lost and homeless canines as possible.

Here's her story from 1982.

Bertha Hayes spends 10 to 12 hours a day searching for stray dogs.

She's a member of a little known group called the Animal Care Organization.

This particular day at the office of a nearby veterinarian, she was picking up a dog that she had found earlier in the week.

Hurt and abandoned.

Yes.

Yes.

Dont fall.

She is a sweetie.

Oh, you want to sit and get your picture taken?

Youre a pretty good girl.

Bertha's mission is to reunite dog owners with their pets or to find new owners for unclaimed strays.

Im going to take her, well be took care of.

Thanks for coming by.

I'll see you later.

All right.

Careful now.

If I need you Ill whistle.

Okay.

The little dog have been infested with fleas and had an injured leg.

The animal care organization paid the vet's fees.

And Bertha will now take the animal to an interim facility where its injuries will heal before it's adopted.

Since January 1st, Bertha has been responsible for finding homes for 300 area dogs.

I really love The animals and I feel that somebody is Going to have to take care of them.

Because of all my life, I've been a lover of animals and this gives me A chance to do for them like I would like to have done years ago.

Bertha has no patience for people who dump unwanted dogs.

The fate of those animals is usually death unless people like Bertha Hayes intervene.

I got the baby.

Yes, I got the baby.

This house is a temporary holding facility where an animal can rest and recuperate until the owner or another home is found.

Sweet.

I feel real, really rewarded at the end of the day.

If I have placed one or some animals in good homes or found them before they did die.

There are other people like Bertha who also volunteer their time to the animal care organization.

And these animals seem to sense that they have a friend.

I dont want kisses.

But I guess it's all right.

That's all I need.

Oh, isnt this sweet?

Bertha keeps files on lost and found animals for as far back as two years.

And when she finds a home for a dog, it makes her day.

Does it really?

It sure does.

Its just like someone getting out of the hospital with cancer and getting a new lease on life.

Makes me feel just about the same way.

Bertha Hayes, a dog's best friend.

This is Larry Hatteberg.

Well, Bertha, she's no longer with us, but people such as her laid the groundwork for the people and organizations today, which do even more for the welfare of our canine population.

These are people with huge hearts, huge.

And and we're so fortunate to have people like her and others who now have taken her place who care for the animal.

I love cats and dogs.

I know you do.

I do.

I know you've Got a cat.

Do you have one.

or two cats?

Cats?

I have one.

One cat.

One cat.

Okay.

Yeah.

And she follows you around the whole house, doesn't she?

She does, because I'm in charge of the cat litter.

Oh.

So she wants to make sure she's a very clean cat.

She's clean.

Okay.

Okay.

You're going to have to bring her on the.

Show, so I will.

Oh.

Her name is Buddy.

What is her name?

Buddy.

My buddy.

A buddy can be a boy or a girl.

I don't know about that.

That's true.

All right.

It's true.

I convinced my daughters that.

Oh.

So it's true.

All right.

I'm going to name my male dog Daisy.

Fine with me.

He won't care, you know.

He probably wont.

You're right.

That's the show for this week.

Hey, guess what?

You can send us an email.

If you have a question or a comment, we love hearing from you.

I'm Susan Peters.

Thank you so much for watching.

And I'm Larry Hatteberg.

We'll see you again soon.