Reminiscent of wartime takeoffs, 68 years ago, from airfields in England into harms way over Nazi Germany. A WWII tribute to the living history of the greatest generation ... their numbers are fewer, almost gone ... but not forgotten.
Meet Mrs. McWilliam and listen to her story. Her husband passed away several years ago but is very much alive in her heart. I met her on the tarmac and she shared with me pictures of her husband, his flight crew and the plane that survived eighty missions over France and Germany. He was a gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber and survived the war. She showed me his daily journal of each mission ... "no bombs dropped today ... bad weather". Tomorrow, she will return and plans to crawl into the belly of the plane her husband flew in "just to experience what he did". I hope I meet her tomorrow.
B-24 Liberator Bomber
P-51 Mustang Fighter ... escort to the bomber groups.
B-17 Flying Fortress ... only one of ten operational remaining planes in the USA.
Distinguished WWII Veterans (L to R): PFC Ray League, 86 years young; Corporal Bill Callen, 90 years young; Cindy Williams; Tech Sgt Ray Amstutz, 88 years young; Dean Williams. What a privilege for me to meet these men and thank them for their service as part of The Greatest Generation. I was very proud to listen to their memories of sacrifices made for us to be free today.
I can only imagine an airfield in England with hundreds of these bombers lined up, fully armed with bombs, engines reeving for takeoff ... nervous crews wondering if they'd be the lucky ones to come back alive after daily missions over Germany. Imagination, courtesy of living history.
A WWII B-17 crew member returning from a flight over OKC ... what a tremendous revival of memories for old men made when young men such a long time ago but seemingly just yesterday. It was so wonderful to overhear their hushed conversations of what it was like ... back then. Honored to be in their presence and show my appreciation.
In this age of jets and modern armaments, it was truly amazing to witness these warplanes in person, to hear their engines, to watch them move and take flight, and recognize the inherent dangers of the job they accomplished.
Imagine being a B-24 Bomber pilot over Germany ... heart pounding as the target nears knowing enemy fighter planes loom ahead, anti-aircraft fire and watching the whole bomber group approach. Listening to the engines as they approached their bombing run. How about the gunner in the belly pod - how does he feel?
Mr. Ray Amstutz.
Maybe try experiencing sitting in the nose of a B-17 on a bombing raid over Hamburg.
Climbing into the backseat of a P-51 Figher to experience a sensation of flight.
Mr. Ray Amstutz, the experience of a lifetime in his face.
A B-17 taxiing in.
A P-51 climbing.
A moment when Tech Sgt Amstutz was recalling an experience in WWII.
American War Power, circa 1944.
Mr. Bill Callen, bomber mechanic in the Army Air Force in Italy that "kept them flying".
A true "Band of Brothers". Ray League (right) not only survived the Germans, he survived, with pride, being part of George Patton's 3rd Armored Division.
This P-51 moves fast even on the ground ... you should see it in the air!!!
Then you'd see the B-17 lumbering across the runway ... slow compared to the fighter but they carried a heavier load. The two aircraft working together is what they call Synergy, today.
Always smiling, distinguished men.
The B-17 resting between missions.
Can't wait to return for Saturday's Airshow and more new adventures!!!
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