WWII Bonds Pasadena Father and Son
Beyond All Boundaries Brings New Understanding Across Generations
Pasadena, CA -- When The Hettema Group was commissioned by the National World War II Museum in New Orleans to design and produce Beyond All Boundaries, a multi-sensory cinematic experience about WWII, Phil Hettema knew exactly who to turn to first: his dad.
Dave Hettema, 86, served as a B-17 pilot in the Army Air Forces during WWII. He completed 35 successful combat missions in the “Flying Fortress” flying from
Of his distinguished military service, Dave said simply, “We had a job to do, and we did it.”
“And, in doing that, he helped to change history,” said Phil. “He helped define ‘the American Spirit,’ the
“He didn’t talk about his time in the service when I was growing up,” said Phil, “until the family went to an air show in
“I still do!” Dave said proudly.
Over the past few years, Dave has shared more of his WWII experiences with Phil, contributing to an exhaustive research effort spanning more than 6,000 hours by the film’s creative team. “It’s been a thrill for me to work with Phil, to be able to tell my own story, and contribute to Beyond All Boundaries,” said Dave.
“My dad’s story is emblematic of literally millions of guys. What they did, what they accomplished – it’s hard to conceive of today, the sacrifice of an entire generation and of our entire country.
Beyond All Boundaries provides that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell a story like that. I can’t think of another story of such significance,” said Phil, who serves as Show Producer and Creative Director. “While the scale of the war is massive, my dad, along with 44 others, helped to provide a very personal perspective on an epic, global story.”
One of Dave’s most powerful memories, an epiphany, is dramatically recounted in the film: “I was sitting in the pilot’s seat in the midst of a ‘Massive Effort’ involving 2,000 aircraft flying together in formation on a mission to bomb Hitler’s
When he wasn’t flying, Dave enjoyed drawing cartoons, and created the colorful “Super Mouse” character proudly displayed on the nose of their B-17 aircraft. His cartoons and artwork have been featured in several books on WWII.
After 35 successful missions, Dave had finished his job in the war effort and returned home to Pasadena, California, where he has lived most of his life. What did he do next? “I married Norma, Phil’s mother!” Dave said with a grin. It was February of 1945.
And he got a job as a photo engraver with the local daily newspaper, the Pasadena Star News.
On Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, August 15, 1945, celebrations took place across the United States. In Pasadena, right outside the Pasadena Star News office, where the red trolley cars ran along Colorado Boulevard, Dave remembers “the streets were suddenly full of cars all honking their horns; people were gathering and shouting for joy… Many started tearing up their war ration coupons and throwing them up in the air like confetti. And of course,” he laughed, “it wasn’t until the next day, that they realized still needed them.”
The epic production, a five-year project – from concept to design and production -- by The Hettema Group’s creative team incorporates state-of-the-art special effects immersing the audience in a unique cinematic experience. With life-sized props, animation, and atmospherics, as well as archival footage and sound effects, audiences will feel the tank treads rumbling across North Africa’s deserts, brush snow from their cheeks during the wintry Battle of the Bulge, and flinch at anti-aircraft fire as it tries to bring down their B-17 on a bombing run over Nazi Germany.
“As a storyteller in the entertainment business, it’s really satisfying to tell a story whose main purpose is not entertainment,” Phil noted. “We hope to reach a new generation with this presentation, in a way that make people think about what happened, and walk away with their own point of view about war. The cost of the war itself is hard to fathom.
“65 million lives were lost – that’s a number that never ceases to astound people. One we hope they will not forget,” said Phil. Dave firmly agreed.
Of the 44 individuals whose WWII stories are featured, six are still living.
Hettemas in Pasadena
Not only has Dave been a Pasadenan since he was a child, and raised his own children in Pasadena, the Hettema family’s Pasadena connections today include Phil’s company, The Hettema Group, located in Old Pasadena; and Phil’s brother, Pete, is a Lieutenant with the Pasadena Police Department. All of his grandparents resided in Pasadena, and his grandfather, Peter Solem, was a founding member of the Pasadena Covenant Church, and was one of the builders of the church, as well.
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