“Wings of Freedom Tour”

 

P-51 Mustang “Betty Jane”

On 12 February 2014, I had the utmost pleasure to travel a short route south to the Boca Raton Airport to witness the “Wings of Freedom Tour” sponsored by the Collings Foundation.  At the Signature Flight Support area there were 3 WWII aircraft waiting for us to explore.

The Mustang, the world’s only full dual control P-51C fighter, with the pilot sitting on its wing was an outstanding sight to say the least.  You can almost envision the plane on its daily route in the skies above Europe.

B-24 Liberator

The B-24 Liberator begins to tower over you as you near her.  It puts you in awe knowing they flew their gallant missions over 70 years ago.  And today they continue to fly on a mission to educate and pay tribute.  The aircraft that sat before me was the very last flying Liberator in the world today!

B-17 Flying Fortress

The B-17 Flying Fortress was open for a tour inside.  This made it quite understandable as to the reason they used young men at the time.  I climbed the few steps on the tiny ladder and immediately felt way too large to clear the doorway, but others bigger than I had already done it         – so …  Obviously, I did not enter the aircraft properly, I tripped, pulled a leg muscle and nearly went head first into the opposite wall – the plane’s interior was skinnier than I had anticipated – but I made it.

Flying Fortress “gunner”

One could almost imagine flying and peering down at enemy territory as I looked out from the gun.  This thought brought on an even stronger respect for the men who had done this so long ago.  Tip-toeing around the belly turret on the way toward the cramped cockpit was another unique experience, but I’ll let you use your imagination.

Pilot Ed Kaminski, still at work

I had the privilege to meet WWII pilot Ed Kaminski beneath the wing of his Fortress eagerly showing his book of photos and explaining the workings of the aircraft.  I listened as he explained to the gentleman in the photo and then put forth my own queries.  Ed had been with the 452nd Bomber Group and flew out of Deopham Green, England until he was wounded on his 32nd mission.  He is now a member of the “Gathering of Eagles.”  (The 452nd Bomber Group’s outstanding record can be found in Wikipedia.)

Memorial in England

 

 

The Wings of Freedom Tour for the Collings Foundation  can be found on line  (I believe in May they are on the west coast of the U.S.) and what they charge to take you up for a ½ hour flight.  I’m afraid I had to forgo the experience, due to being way out of my budget.  For future reference you can locate it HERE>

 

 

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11th Airborne Update – 

It was stated in our last “Voice of the Angels” newspaper for the 11th A/B Association, by Matt Underwood our Editor, that we now have a new Chaplain.  Some of you might recall that Rev. Charles A. Bailey, our previous chaplain and his wife both passed away last October 2013.  We are now proud to have his son, Brigadier General C. Ray Bailey; currently serving out of the Pentagon, to step into his father’s shoes for us.  Welcome Deputy Chief of Chaplains, and Thank you!

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A Special Shout Out –

A HUGE HELLO AND THANK YOU TO A GREAT BUNCH OF VETERANS AT THE ARKANSAS VA HOSPITAL!!   ALL OF US OWE OUR FREEDOMS AND PRIVILEGES TO MILITARY SUCH AS YOURSELVES!! GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!

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Cpl Rudy Hernandez

Hernandez w/m the 187th RCT

 

The 187th RCT has lost Cpl. Rodofo Perez Hernandez, Korean War Medal of Honor recipient.  He was 82 years old.  He entered the service at Fowler, California and won his medal near Wontong-ni, Korea, 31 May 1951.  There is an exhibit at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum dedicated to Corporal Hernandez.  Three Black Hawk helicopters flew over the cemetery during his funeral service.  Rudy, Thank you and Farewell.

 

 

 

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Farewell Salutes – 

Christan J. Chandler – Trenton, TX; US Army, Pfc, Afghanistan, 2nd Battion/87th Infantry Regiment/3rd Brigade Combat Team/10th Mountain Division

Troy Harp – Berryville, AR; US Army, WWII

Bronze Star

Paul Hennessey –  Boston, MA; USMC, Sgt. Major, 27 years

Richard Isaacson – Lyons, IL; US Army

Wally McCoy – Kent, WA; US Navy, WWII, pilot

Bruce Oxley – Montreal, CAN; Royal Canadian Army, WWII

George Richardson – Palmerston North, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 71261, LAC No. 14(F) Squadron, WWII

Arthur Richter – Seattle, WA; US Army, WWII, 1st Lt., Purple Heart & Bronze Star

Nicholas Scodari – Berlin, MD; US Army, WWII, 26th Infantry Div., Bronze Star

Victor Streit – Levittown, NY & Jupiter, FL; USMC (1937-1949), WWII, 1st Marine Div., PTO

Fred Teed – Palm Bch. County, FL; 2nd A/B Division/45th Infantry, Korea, Bronze Star

Josephine White – London & Annapolis, MD; British Army/Aux. Terr. Service

Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. – Solvang, CA; US Army, WWII, 5 years, Purple Heart (beloved actor of stage, screen and TV)

Click on images to enlarge.

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