Book signing brings Perry to town

By Melinda L. Lucas

A large crowd attended a book signing of Heavy Date Over Germany: The Life and Times of B-17 Tail Gunner Ray Perry on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Shackelford County Library, including the subject’s son, former Texas governor Rick Perry, who wrote the foreword.

Old Jail Art Center staff member and retired history teacher Jewellee Jordan Kuenstler edited the book, using the late World War II veteran’s letters, photos, and mementos to tell his story of 35 combat missions as a tail gunner.

Also attending the event along with Rick Perry, who resigned as U.S. Secretary of Energy effective Dec. 1, were his mother and sister, Amelia Perry and Milla Perry Jones.

In addition to online sellers, the book is available at the Shackelford County Library and will possibly be sold at other Albany locations.