Brooks was cared for in his final 12 months by his daughter Vanessa. Vanessa spoke with the Associated Press back in October concerning the toll caregiving took on her financially, and the sacrifices she and others made to assist getting old veterans like Brooks. “I need him to be snug, comfortable and himself. If I can hold him in his proper frame of mind till God calls him residence, that’s my intent.”
In keeping with all stories, Vanessa did simply that.
The Military was nonetheless segregated in World Struggle II, and Brooks didn’t obtain the identical advantages for his service that his white counterparts obtained. Brooks spent an excellent period of time stationed in Australia, where he was treated with more dignity than he had received from his own home country. Brooks advised reporters that when he seemed again at among the time he spent in Australia in the course of the warfare, he couldn’t assist however evaluate his remedy there to his remedy at residence. “I was treated so much better in Australia than I was by my own white people. I wondered about that.”
Vanessa advised CBS News in December that she has hope that whereas her father was denied the advantages of a free faculty training by means of the G.I. Invoice, in addition to housing alternatives due to our nation’s racism, she would possibly nonetheless have a shot. She mentioned 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 desires me to go to high school and I need to go to Tulane, nevertheless it’s only a dream. If the G.I. Invoice is revived, I will have the chance to return to high school on my daddy’s shoulders.”
In keeping 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 force. “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 Struggle II, and returned residence to serve his group and church. His kindness, smile and humorousness linked him to generations of people that cherished and admired him.”
Brooks had marked his 112th birthday with a “drive-by get together” in entrance of his New Orleans residence this past September. In keeping with the Nationwide WWII Museum, Brooks’ birthdays since 2014 had been hosted by the museum.
Brooks’ spouse Leona handed away in 2008. He is survived by 4 youngsters, 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Get pleasure from the video beneath of Brooks speaking about a harrowing expertise he had in the course of the warfare. Relaxation in peace.
