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(Update
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12 Sep 01---Patriotic)
**********************
Karen Hinton <hinton.km@gmail.com> wrote:
Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 23:35:02 -0700
From: "Karen Hinton" <hinton.km@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd: The Planes of Fame Air Museum B-17G Restoration Fundraising
Campaign
Hello,
This e-mail campaign has been launched today. Read
on...
Feel free to post this message on any websites you
might have access to. The quicker it gets to one million people, the faster
we can raise the funds to restore the B-17-read on!
And if you receive this more than once, you must
really love historic aircraft!
Keep 'em Flying!
Karen
To Fly Again....
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
"Piccadilly Lilly II"
Fundraising Campaign, and Restoration
Project
At the Planes of Fame Air Museum,
Cal- Aero Field, Chino Calif. USA
To All Fellow
Aircraft and Warbird lovers,
My Name is John Atkinson, a member and volunteer at the
Planes of Fame (POF) Air Museum in Chino California. Having helped
on many of the restorations in our collection, I am embarking on a
mission to see yet, one more rare Boeing B-17 take her place in the sky.
I am asking for the help of all those who share a love,
and passion for these historic and magnificent Flying Fortresses.
The Piccadilly Lilly II now sits on display at the POF museum,
but we are lacking the full funding to restore her to flyable condition.
My goal is to reach one million people or more worldwide
via the internet who will be willing to donate just $3 each to her
restoration.
This Bomber is an actual movie star, she was used in
several movies and TV shows including the TV series 12 O'Clock High,
Baa Baa Blacksheep and the motion picture The
Thousand Plane Raid. Owned by the USAF she was grounded in
1972 and has not been flown since. But 8 years ago a miracle!!!
The USAF gifted the Lilly to the Planes of Fame, pink slip and all, and
it gave us hope to restore her to flyable.
Restoration looks to be a daunting task, and there are
naysayers, but a handful of us including veterans who flew them say "WE
CAN DO IT"!!! and in fact one of our Volunteer Vets, an actual ball
turret gunner on the B-17 named Kismet, Wilbur Richardson, has pledged
$40,000 towards her restoration, and we also have a commitment from
Vintage Radial Overhaul in Tehachipi, CA to restore one engine free of
charge once major work is under way, and is a great step to the total 3
million required for a mint factory restoration.
The Lilly was a training ship, never in combat, and the
last B-17 used in U.S. Military service, almost every piece on her is
original factory equipment, and after 30 yrs outside needs some serious
work. We have already restored all the flight control surfaces and
are doing what we can at the moment.
On a personal note; my mother, a survivor of the London
Blitz, broke down in tears under the Lilly's wing 2 years ago and told
me of the time during the war when the children of London were evacuated
to the countryside. Her brother and her were housed at Guildford
with a B-17 and B-24 base nearby and she told of how each day the kids
would watch as the bombers took off, grouped up, and set off to war,
then later they would watch and count the lucky ones who made it back,
and then smiled remembering the candy and goodies the aircrews would
rain down on the children below, a gift from above in dire times.
But.. she also told me off the horrors they saw, on the
return flights as they passed low over the nearby Hogsback Hill, of the
airplanes on fire, pieces missing , and at times the bodies and blood of
those who had given their lives for freedom.
On that day 2 yrs ago in Chino, My mum made me promise to
help restore this grand old lady to the sky so
that we can honor and remember those that built them, the Wasps who
ferried them, the crews who manned, fought, and died in them, and those
on the ground who fixed, patched, and prayed each day for their safe
return. It is also for the future generations so that they may
learn what this aircraft was all about, so that the history and memories
will never fade.
Of the 12,731 B-17s built, about fifty still exist, and
only 16 are flyable. If you are lucky to live near their home
bases as I am, you might see a couple of them each year as they tour the
airshow circuit gracefully flying along. Let's get one more up
there so that we, who love the sound of those 4 radial engines, can run
or hobble outside and stand in awe as she passes over head and tell the
kids who ask what it is, and teach them of those days long ago, when the
B-17 was the line between freedom and madness.
I make this plea to all of you: help us restore our fair
Lilly to the sky.
Please forward this e mail on to your friends, family,
aviation and warbird enthusiasts, and anyone who loves Americas glorious
past history. Remember just $3 from each is our goal and you will
soon see the finest restored Flying Fortress ever back in the sky.
Planes of Fame Air Museum
7000 Merrill Ave Ste 17
Chino CA 91710-9085
Please feel free to visit our website at
www.planesoffame.org
and look at our fine collection of flying warbirds. The site is
being updated and will be undergoing changes, but please pay it a visit,
and we thank you all for your support.
Karen Hinton
Planes of Fame Air Museum
www.planesoffame.org
(909) 597-4754
**********************
The Daedalians, Old Pueblo Flight 12, are
involved in an exciting project designed to honor all of those who have served
in the military services! The Daedalian Heritage Memorial Park Project will be
established at Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona. The project involves
building a wall which boarders the walkway leading to the POW/MIA display
located at Heritage Warrior Park on base.
Several aircraft are also on display in the park including an F-100, F-105, and
F-4, so this location is ideal for a memorial.
The wall will consist of engraved bricks which
will honor the named recipients! Each brick will consist of three lines which
can be engraved with 22 characters PER LINE! The concept is to provide
perpetual recognition for those who have done so much for our country. Bricks
can be purchased for those LIVING or DECEASED or to recognize personal
accomplishments. Engraved Bricks cost $100 per brick which includes long term
maintenance and upkeep. THIS IS NOT A COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE and relies on
volunteers and our local flight to manage the project.
Those interested in purchasing bricks or seeking
additional information about the project can write to:
D. M. MEMORIAL
PO BOX 15010
DMAFB 85708-0010 OR
E-MAIL: keith.connolly@dm.af.mil
**********************
The following information was received
12 Feb 08 from Norb Ruff's son, Mark:
I
Received the WARBIRD Digest magazine, March April, number 19 in
the mail today. The feature story and photos is of Ron Fagen’s RUFF-STUFF!
It has wonderful in-flight photos!
The
web site is
www.warbirddigest.com and it can be purchased on
line. Norb and I were down at Granite Falls with the FAGEN group last November
for photo shoot -- wonderful experience!
(RUFF-STUFF was the name of
Norb's P-38 while he was in the 80th in 1942)
**********************
The following information was received today, 4 Feb 08,
through the River Rats net:
I am a retired F-4 WSO doing
independent research on a variety of topics from the war in SEA. I'm not
writing a book, just trying to collect first person information while it is
still available. I could use help with the following three items:
1. An HH-53 PJ has asked
for assistance in locating a surviving family member of a downed pilot he picked
up. On 25 Jul 70 an F-4D flown by Lt Col Richard W. Pennington and Capt Raymond L. Rigel
was shot down. Captain Rigel was safely recovered but Colonel Pennington was
severely injured from falling down a 75 degree slope, requiring both PJs to be
put on the ground for his pick up. Despite heroic medical efforts on the way to
the hospital, Colonel Pennington did not survive his injuries. The PJ who found
Colonel Pennington would like to speak to a family member about this event
"before my years run out". If anyone knows the Pennington family or someone who
might, please contact me at the e-mail address shown below and I will get the
two parties together.
2. Forty years ago this
past summer the USAF flew the first strike against the Paul Doumer Bridge in Hanoi. The 11
Aug 67 mission resulted in the award of five Air Force Crosses (Robin Olds, Bob
White, Harry Schurr, Jim McInerney, and Fred Shannon) - the highest number of
Air Force Crosses for a single mission of the entire war. I would like to
document the aircraft tail numbers and aircrew names of Colonel Olds' defense
suppression flight (I assume a four-ship). I am especially interested in the
tail number of Colonel Old's F-4C and the name of his backseater (it was not
Steve Croker). If anyone has an old lineup card or personal combat diary with
this information, I would appreciate your insight into this important aspect of
the mission.
3. Several years ago I
began a research project regarding F-4 LGB missions in SEA. The objective was
to identify specific aircraft and crews so that a museum displaying one of these
"notable" birds would be able to tell the "people stories" associated with that
aircraft. I received a fair amount of information from many crew members, but
there is a lot more of that story which needs to be documented. If you: 1)
flew LGB missions during 1968-1973 and have not already been in contact with
me, 2) have specific tail numbers and/or crew information, and 3) don't mind
sharing said info, would you please contact me? I am especially interested in
1972 missions, but the earlier ZOT period is important too. Thank you. Col Ron
Thurlow, USAF (Ret) E-Mail:
tlow52@hotmail.com
**********************
WASHINGTON, D.C. - on August
17, 2007, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) praised the passage by unanimous
consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and service
members not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4,
Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their
hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the
flag. "The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in
one's military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members
continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.
"Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and
service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation
will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and service members alike to
salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not. "I look forward to
seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and
formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the
25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and
remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are currently serving or
have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will
be an inspiration to others." This Bill was passed July 25, 2007.
Let your veteran friends know about the Passage of this Bill.
**********************
There was a Gathering of Mustangs &
Legends
"A Once in a Lifetime Aviation
Celebration"
September 27 - 30, 2007
Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK)
Columbus, OH
If you are interested in seeing an
excellent slide show of the event, please let
JayBird
know.
**********************
Click on this link for a
beautiful presentation
of Gen Olds' life.
Here is an
excellent video of Gen Olds' Interment.
Brigadier
General Robin Olds, United States Air Force, retired, died Thursday evening,
June 14th, 2007 from congestive heart failure, one month short of his 85th
birthday. He was born in
Honolulu,
Hawaii on July 14, 1922, the son of
Major General Robert and Mrs. Eloise Olds. He spent his younger years and
schooling in
Hampton,
Virginia and attended the
United States
Military
Academy at
West Point, where he was an All American tackle
and graduated in 1943 as a 2nd Lieutenant. Following graduation from Pilot
Training in 1943, General Olds was assigned to the European Theater at the end
of WWII where he flew 107 combat missions in the P-38 Lightning and P-51
Mustang. He shot down 13, enemy aircraft over
Europe and became a triple ace 23 years later
during the Viet Nam Conflict when he downed 4 MIGS. He flew 152 combat missions
in the F4 Phantom as the Wing Commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing
at Ubon AFB in
Thailand. General
Olds' exploits as the creator and Mission Commander of Operation Bolo, the most
successful aerial battle of the
Vietnam conflict, has been
documented in the recent History Channel Dogfights Special series, entitled "Air
Ambush".
General Robin Olds served
his country in assignments to
England,
Germany,
Libya,
Thailand and the
United States, in positions
of Squadron, Base, Group and Wing Commander with assignments to Headquarters US
air force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was assigned to the first jet
P-80 squadron in 1946; was a member of the first jet Aerial Acrobatic
Demonstration Team, won second place in the Thompson Trophy Race, jet Division,
in
Cleveland, 1946, and participated in
the first dawn to dusk transcontinental round trip flight. He was a
Squadron commander of Royal Air Force No.1 fighter
Squadron,
Sussex,
England during an exchange
tour in 1948. General Olds' military decorations include the Air force Cross,
Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of
Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with five oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 39
Oak Leaf Clusters, British Distinguished Flying Cross, French Croix de Guerre,
Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order, Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal with
Gold Wings, Vietnam Air Service Medal, and others. After his duty in
Vietnam, General Olds was
named Commandant of Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy 1967-1971.
His last assignment before retiring from the Air Force in 1973 was Director of
Safety for the Air Force.
Up to a few months prior
to his illness he was frequently called upon as guest speaker and lecturer for
his inspirational and motivational talks and he traveled all over the world
speaking to military and civilian groups alike. General Olds was previously
married to Ella Raines, who died in 1988, and then to Morgan Olds.
General Olds is survived
by two daughters, Christina Olds of Vail, CO and Susan Scott-Risner of
North Bend,
WA; one granddaughter, Jennifer Newman of
Santa Monica, CA. and half-brother, Fred Olds of
Virginia. He died peacefully at his
home in
Steamboat Springs,
Colorado, in the company of family
and friends.
A memorial service will
be held at the United States Air Force Academy within the next two weeks.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Red River Valley Fighter
Pilots Association towards scholarships for the children or spouses of Armed
Forces aircrew members killed or missing in action.
**********************
The
following poem was sent in to me tonight by my Granddaughter, Megan--the mother
of my 4-month old Great Granddaughter, and wife of Dallas Burns--an Army soldier
in Iraq
I watched the flag pass by
one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill. I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington--
No, freedom isn't free.
Enjoy Your
Freedom & God Bless Our Troops.
**********************
SSgt Pat Cardwell passed away this
afternoon, 30 April 2007, about 3:30 pm from complications from a cardiac bypass
about 6 weeks ago. Pat was one of our LTM's from the 1948 - 1950 between
the wars era. He was the crew chief of Lt Billy McCrystal's famous Air
Force 801, an F-51 Mustang of our 80th Fighter Squadron.
All of us as fighter pilots have sung
many fighter pilot songs when ever we get together as a group to socialize.
One of the most famous of these songs is Air Force 801, better known as
Itazuke Tower. This classic song, sung to the tune of "The
Wabash Cannon Ball," was written in late 1948 by Lt William F. McCrystal,
one of our own Headhunters, when he was flying P-51D Mustangs in the 80th
Fighter Squadron at Itazuke Air Base, Japan. Unfortunately, we didn't know
this until another of our Headhunter song writers and balladeers,
Dick Jonas, happened to see the full wall display, shown below, at the US
Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB in July 2002.
The display at the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB showing the
original words of the famous song by Bill "Romeo" McCrystal.
(Photos by Mary Jonas)
Lt W. F. McCrystal in
the cockpit of his 80th Fighter Squadron P-51 Mustang in early 1949.
Its serial number? 44-73801--the famous "Air Force 801"
(Photo by McCrystal's crew chief, Pat Cardwell, and sent in by Pat's good
friend, Harrel Lamkin on 26 February 2003)
"Romeo" McCrystal having a sing-a-long
with Squadron buddies at Nagoya, Japan in late 1949.
(Photo by Neil O'Keefe sent in 6 April 2003)
Maj (Ret) William F. McCrystal passed
away on 15 October 2002 in San Antonio.
Thanks for your dedication to our
Squadron and Country, Bill & Pat--and thanks for your song. May you both
rest in peace and forever soar with the Eagles.
**********************
Norb Ruff's new book available now
from the author, Tina Susedik at Tina’s web site
www.tinasusedik.com
or
you can order directly from her at
PO Box 772 ;
Hayward
WI
54843-0772
.
(click on the thumbnail photo above for larger image)
**********************
On 13-15 October we had our
United States Air Force Memorial dedicated in Washington. Please check out
the three slide shows on the following link to relive this historic event that
we all can be proud of.
http://www.imagelinkphoto.com/usafmem/
**********************
Tomorrow, 11 September 2006, is the 5th
anniversary of the 9/11 attack on our Country. We have come a long way in
this war, but we have a long way to go. Please read the following speech
and remember who and where we are. God Bless America.
Speech by Brian Shul in
Chico
California
in the October of 2001
Brian Shul is a
Vietnam
era USAF fighter pilot with 212 combat missions. He was shot down near the end
of the war and was so badly burned that he was given next to no chance to live.
He did live, went on to fly SR-71s and completed a 20 year career in the Air
Force. He has written four books on aviation and runs a photo studio. This is a
speech he made in
Chico
California in the aftermath of the September 11th attack on the
U.S.
Thank you for the opportunity to address this rally today. It is not often that
a fighter pilot is asked to be the keynote speaker. There is a rumor that they
are unable to put two sentences together coherently. I'd like to dispel that
rumor today by saying that I can do that, and in fact that I have written
several books. I always wanted to be an author, and I ARE one now.
I'm a pretty lucky person really. I'm like the little boy who tells his father
that when he grows up he wants to be a jet pilot, and his father replies, "Sorry
son, you can't do both". I made that choice a long time ago and flew the jets. I
was fortunate to live my dream, and then some. I survived something I shouldn't
have, and today, tell people that I am 28 years old, as it has been that long
since I was released from the hospital. It was like I received a second life,
and in the past 28 years, I have gotten to see and do much, so much that I would
not have thought possible. Returning to fly jets in the Air Force, flying the
SR-71 on spy missions, spending a year with the Blue Angels, running my own
photo studio.... and so much more. And now, seeing our country attacked in such
a heinous way.
Some of you here today have heard me speak before, and know that I enjoy sharing
my aviation slide show. I have brought no slides to show you, as I feel
compelled today, to address different issues concerning this very difficult time
in our nation's history.
I stand before you today, not as some famous person, or war hero. I am far from
that. You know, they say a good landing is one you can walk away from, and a
really great one is when you can use the airplane again. Well, I did
neither...and I speak to you to today as simply a fellow American citizen.
Like you, I was horrified at the events of September 11th. But I was not totally
surprised that such a thing could happen, or that there were people in the world
who would perpetrate such deeds, willingly, against us. Having sat through many
classified briefings while in the Air Force, I was all too l aware of the
threat, and I can assure you, it has always been there in one form or another.
And those of you who have served in the defense of this nation, know all too
well the response that is needed. In every fighter squadron I was in, there was
a saying that we knew to be true, that said, when there was a true enemy, you
negotiate with that enemy with your knee in his chest and your knife at his
throat.
Many people are unfamiliar with this way of thinking, and shrink from its
ramifications. War is such a messy business, and there are many who want no part
of it, but rush to bask in the security blanket of its victory.
I spent an entire military career fighting Communism, and was very proud to do
so. We won that war, we beat one of the worst scourges to humankind the world
has known. But it took a great effort, over many years of sustained vigilance
and much sacrifice by so many whose names you will never know. And perhaps our
nation, so weary from so long a cold war, relaxed too much and felt the world
was a safer place with the demise of the
Soviet Union . We indulged ourselves in our own lives, and gave
little thought to the threats to our national security.
You know, normally my talks are laced with numerous jokes as I share my stories,
but I have very few jokes to tell this afternoon. These murdering fanatics came
into our land, lived amongst our people, flew on our planes, crashed them into
our buildings, and killed thousands of our citizens. And nowhere along their
gruesome path were they questioned or stopped. The joke is on us. We allowed
this country to become soft.
We shouldn't really be too surprised that this could happen. Did we really think
that we could keep electing officials who put self above nation and this would
make us stronger? Did we really think that a strong economy adequately replaced
a strong intelligence community? Did we imagine that a President who practically
gave away the store on his watch, was insuring national security? While our
country was mired in the wasted excess of a White House sex scandal, the drums
of war beat loudly in foreign lands, and we were deaf. Our response was to give
the man two terms in office, and even then barely half the American public
exercised their right to vote. We have only ourselves to blame. Our elected
officials are merely a reflection of our own values and what we deem important.
Did we not realize that
America
had become a laughing stock around the world? We had lost credibility, even
amongst our allies. To our enemies we had no resolve. We made a lot of money,
watched a lot of TV, and understood little about what was happening beyond our
shores. We were, simply, an easy target.
But we are a country awakened now. We have been attacked in our homeland. We
have now felt the reality of what an unstable and dangerous world it truly is.
And still, in the face of this unprecedented carnage in our most prominent city,
there are those who choose to take this opportunity to protest, and even burn
the flag.
If I were the regents or alumni of certain large universities in this county, I
would be embarrassed to be producing students of such ignorance and naïve
notions. Like mindless sheep, they march with painted faces and trite sayings on
signs, blissfully ignorant of the world they live in, and the system that
protects them, hoping maybe to make the evening news. Perhaps if they had spent
more time in class they would have learned that those who forget the past are
condemned to repeat it. They might have learned that all it takes for evil to
succeed in the world, is for good people to stand by and do nothing. If they had
simply gone back in history as recently as the Viet Nam War, they would have
learned that an enemy that knows it can never defeat us militarily, will persist
as long as there is dissention and disruption in our land. Their ignorance can
be understood, as their young empty minds have been filled with the re-written
history tripe that tenured leftist professors can spew out with no fear of
removal. But the unwitting aid they provide the enemy, in disrupting the
national resolve, is unforgivable. I think this is wonderful country, though,
that gives everyone their voice of dissention. I am all for people expressing
their views publicly because it makes it much easier for us to identify the
truly foolish, and to know who cannot be counted on in times of crisis. These
are the weak and cowardly who, when the enemy is crashing through the front
door, will cower in the back room, counting on better men than themselves to
make and keep them free. Well, the enemy is at our front door, and isn't it
interesting those who cry loudest and most often for their rights, are usually
those least willing to defend it.
I heard a student on TV the other day say that this war just wasn't in his plans
and he would simply head to
Canada
if a draft occurred. Just wasn't in his plans. I wonder what plans the young
men at the beaches of
Normandy
had that they never got to live. I wonder if it was in the plans of 19-year-old
boys in
Viet Nam
to lie dying in a jungle far from home. I guess the men and women at
Pearl Harbor one morning had their plans slightly rearranged too.
Gee, I hope we haven't inconvenienced this student. Those people in the
World
Trade
Center
have no more plans. It is up to us to have a plan now. And it isn't going to be
easy. Who ever said it would? Just what part of our history spoke of how easy it
was to form a free nation? It has never been easy and has always required
vigilance and sacrifice, and sometimes war, to preserved this union. If it were
easy, everyone would have done it. But no one else has, and we stand alone as
the most unique country on earth.
And isn't it amazing that we have spent a generation stamping God out of our
schools and government, and now as a nation, have collectively turned to God in
memorial services, prayer vigils and churches around this country.
I am also very disturbed to hear that there are people in this country, at this
particular time, who feel it inappropriate to wear the flag on their lapel
because they are on the news or in a public job, and school officials who want
to remove pro-American stickers so as not to offend foreign students. Well I am
offended that these people call themselves Americans. I am offended that
innocent people were killed in a mass attack of unthinkable proportions. And I
am offended at listening to TV broadcasters speak to me condescendingly, with a
bias that screams of their drowning in a cesspool of political correctness. I
pity the person who thinks they are going to remove this flag from my lapel.
This flag of ours is the symbol of all that is good about this country.
America
is an idea. It is an idea lived, and fought for, by a people. We are
America
, and this is our symbol. We are imperfect in many ways, but we continue to
strive toward the ideal our forefathers laid down for us over 225 years ago. I
could never imagine desecrating that symbol. Perhaps there are many people in
this nation who have never been abroad, or in harms way, and seen the flag upon
their return. Those poor souls can never know the deep pride and honor one feels
to see it wave, to know that there is still a good ol'
USA
. With all our warts we are still the greatest nation on earth, and the flag is
the most powerful symbol of that greatness. When I was in grade school, we used
to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. It is something I never forgot. I
wonder how many children even know that pledge today.
This flag is our history, our dreams, our accomplishments, indelibly expressed
in bright red, white, and blue. This flag was carried in our Revolutionary War,
although it had many less stars. But it persevered and evolved throughout a war
we had no right to believe we could win. But we did, and built a country around
it. This flag, tattered and battle worn, waved proudly from the mast, as John
Paul Jones showed the enemy what true resolve was. This banner was raised by the
hands of brave men on a godforsaken island called
Iwo Jima , and became a part of the most famous photo of the 20th
Century. Those men are all dead now, but their legacy lives on in the Marine
Memorial in
Washington ,
DC
. Those of you who have seen it will recall that inscribed within the stone
monument are the words — When Uncommon Valor, Was A Common Virtue — I don't
believe you'll see the words, "it was easy", anywhere on it. This flag has even
been to the moon, planted there for all time by men with a vision, and the
courage to see it through.
I personally know what it is to see the flag, and feel something deep inside
that makes you feel you are a part of something much bigger than yourself.
Laying in a hospital bed, I can vividly recall looking out the only window in
the room and on Sundays, seeing that big garrison flag flying proudly in the
breeze. It filled the entire window, and filled my heart with a motivation that
helped me leave that bed, and enabled me to be standing here today. And many
years later, while fighting another terrorist over Libya, my backseater and I
outraced Khadafy's missiles in our SR-71 as we headed for the Mediterranean, and
I can still clearly see that American flag patch on the shoulder of my space
suit, staring at me in the rear view mirror as we headed west, and it was a good
feeling. Now don't ask me why we had rear view mirrors in the world's fastest
jet. I can assure you, no one was gaining on us that day.
I am so happy to see so many flags out here today. Long may it wave.
History will judge us. How we confront this chapter of American history will be
important for the future of this great nation. This will be a war like none
other we have endured. The combatants will not just be the soldier on the
battlefront, but will be fought by us, the citizens. We are on the battlefield
now; the war has been brought to us. We will determine the outcome of this war
by how well we remain vigilant, how patient we are with tightened security, how
well we support the economy, and most importantly, in the resolve we show the
enemy. There are some things worth fighting for, and this country is one of
them.
I pray for our leaders at this time. In the Pacific, during WW II, Admiral Bull
Halsey said, "There are no great men, just great circumstances, and how they
handle those circumstances will determine the outcome of history". Our future
and the future of coming generations are in our hands. Wars are not won just on
military fronts, but by the resolve of the people. We must remain tenaciously
strong in the pursuit of this enemy that threatens free people everywhere.
I am encouraged that we will win this war. Even before the first shot was
finished being fired, there were brave Americans on Flight 93, fighting back.
These people were the first true heroes of this conflict, and gave their lives
to save their fellow countrymen.
This nation, this melting pot of humanity, this free republic, must be
preserved. This idea that is
America
is important enough to be defended. Fought for. Even die for. The enemy fears
what you have, for if their people ever become liberated into a free society,
tyrannical dictatorships will cease and he will lose power.
How can they ever understand this country of ours, so self-indulgent and
diverse, yet when attacked, so united in the defense of its principals. This is
the greatest country in the world because brave people sacrificed to make it
that way. We are a collective mix of greatness and greed, hi-tech and heartland.
We are the country of Mickey Mouse and Mickey Mantle; from John Smith and
Pocahontas to John Glenn and an Atlas booster; from Charles Lindbergh to Charley
Brown; from Moby Dick to Microsoft; we are a nation that went from Kitty Hawk to
Tranquility Base in less than 70 years; we are rock and roll, and the Bill of
Rights; we are where everyone else wants to be, the greatest nation in the
world.
The enemy does not understand the dichotomy of our society, but they should
understand this; we will bandage our wounds, we will bury our dead; and then we
will come for you . . . and we will destroy you and all you stand for.
I read this quote recently and would like to share it with you:
We are pressed on every side, but not crushed,
Perplexed, but not in despair,
Persecuted, but not abandoned,
Struck down, but not destroyed.
That is from II Corinthians. Not too long ago it would have been politically
incorrect to quote from the Bible. I am so happy to be politically INCORRECT.
And I am so proud to be an American.
Thank you all for coming out today and showing your support for your government,
and your nation. You are the true patriots, you are the soldiers of this war,
you are the strength of
America
.
**********************
On this Memorial Day 2006, let us not
forget the men and women who died to keep us free. Here is a great web
site of an outstanding photo presentation--that we'll never see on ABC, CBS,
NBC, CNN, or any other of our media stations. Thanks to Bill & Marianne
Roach, our BTW LTM's, for sending this in.
http://objflicks.com/GladiatorAmericanStyle.htm
**********************
Paul C. Murphey, one of our
WWII P-38 Aces, LTM of our Association, and reunion regular at all our reunions
for the past 35 years, passed away 16 January. His obituary from the Waco
Tribune-Herald can be seen at the web site below. There are also Guest
Books you can sign. I'm sure his family would enjoy all of our entries.
Paul, and his wonderful wife Sue who passed away in October 2004, was a legend
of our Squadron with 6 confirmed aerial victories.
http://www.legacy.com/WacoTrib/Obituaries.asp?Page=SearchResults
then type in MURPHEY for
last name or Obituaries for 17 January
http://obit.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com/obit_display.cgi?id=280321&listing=All
**********************
The picture below was taken by an
individual returning from a cruise on
July 28, 2001. It is a sunrise over lower Manhattan.
He writes: "As I watched the beautiful skyline of
New York City
float past me I noticed the sun was about to line up just behind the twin
towers. I was lucky enough to snap the picture at exactly the right
moment. If you look at the sun rays it is almost prophetic. - a little
spooky.
When I show this picture to anyone they almost always asks for a copy. I
just want to share it with all who want it. Please take this picture and
share it with anyone and everyone who likes it. I've been printing them
like crazy on my home computer to give to those that want a copy."
Our thanks go out to this individual for this lasting photo. Click on it
for a larger version.
**********************
Many years ago, our famous
comedian, Red Skelton, presented his
"Pledge Of Allegiance" during one of his many shows. That unique
presentation takes on a whole new meaning today. Please click on the link
above to hear and read his patriotic classic. God Bless America.
**********************
Yesterday, 11 September 2001,
this Nation's second "Day that will live in infamy," has now passed into
history. The citizens of this great Country have come together and are
unified as tightly as we were after our first Day on 7 December 1941.
To our people of this great Land: we
will find out who was responsible for this fanatical act, where they came from,
and who supported their evil. When that information is known, they will be
rooted out and exterminated--just as you would any other destructive and
unwanted bug in your home.
To the people in the rest of
the world who may read this: We appreciate your words of condolences to
our Nation. We welcome your aid in tracking down these criminals.
If, on the other hand, you do not feel it right for America to retaliate, then
I, for one, tell you now to get out of our way. We, as a Nation, have
turned our cheek for the last time to world-wide terrorists. No civilized
nation can tolerate acts of fanatic terrorism against our civilian men, women,
and children--nor our homeland. We are the sleeping giant that has been
awakened. It is time for us to finally, after 60 years, talk loud and
swing a big stick. If you can't comprehend this basic rule of
civilization, then I pity you. God Bless America.
**********************
All for now....
