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The Northwest Chapter, Seattle, WA held their annual Spring Luncheon Meeting at LaQuinta Inn in Tacoma, WA (near Seattle) on April 11, 2015.

The program was “Reports from the Field: WW II 70 Years Later” The presenters were Doris Davis, Vice President of VBOB National and Peter Lahmann, WW II Historian. Both speakers presented information about tours they had participated in during the last year. Doris’ presentation was about the 70th Anniversary Tour to Belgium and Luxembourg in Dec, 2014. Her presentation included pictures taken during the tour as well as a short video that was actual film footage taken during the War. Peter’s presentation was about his trip to Europe last summer as he explored historical sites. Frank Vetere, a member of the Chapter, shared many interesting items in a table display. There were also vintage military vehicles for participants to see. Over 100 people were in attendance at the meeting (14 Veterans).

Left to Right Seated (Front Row): Alvin Ackerman, Robert Meyer, Robert Parker, Ray Pennock, Daniel O’Brien, Robert Eilenberger

Left to Right Standing (Back Row): Frank Vetere, Douglas Donner, Maurice Schmidli, Don Leonard, Buck Pearsol, Cal Johnson

Not Pictured: Chuck McGuire, Jim Bernovich

Photo – courtesy of Steve Mahler, son of Art Mahler, former President of The Northwest Chapter

Submitted by Doris Davis, Associate

By Erin Arvedlund, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer and David Maialetti Staff Photographer

A dwindling group of elderly Philadelphia veterans wants to build a Battle of the Bulge memorial in Washington Square, a site within the city’s Historic Mile they believe is a fitting place to remember the key World War II confrontation. Read story

The Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge – Kansas Chapter held their annual reunion at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, KS on January 24, 2015.  Twenty five (25) Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and another six (6) WWII Veterans.

According to newspaper reports there were approximately 350 people in attendance.  Chapter President Mark Collins had 175 registered, but the weather cooperated and there was excellent media coverage.  The Kansas Chapter provides a free 8×10 photo of each WWII Veteran (also his family if there).  Following individual and group photos a panel discussion was held before moving to the Presidential Library for a buffet lunch.

The Kansas Chapter also dedicated a bench which sets directly across from Ike’s statue and centered between the library and museum.  “It is the best location that we could have ask for” said Chapter President Mark Collins.  Over 150,000 visitors visit the Eisenhower Center each year.  The granite bench will be there for years and allow people to sit in the rose garden and look at Ike’s statue.  The Kansas Chapter will be trying to get another bench on the state capitol grounds in Topeka.  It was a very successful 70^th anniversary in Kansas!

Mark Collins, Past President

On February 20, 2015, Wayne Field received the Congressional Gold Medal for his efforts in building the Civil Air Patrol. The ceremony took place at the Colorado State Capital Building in Denver CO.

The award was presented by Colorado’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Michael Edwards, who oversees the Colorado Air National Guard and the Colorado Civil Air Patrol and US Representative, Ed Perlmutter and Colorado Wing Commander, Col. William Aceves. The recipients shared their stories during the event.

After Wayne became a CAP cadet during WW II and then joined the Army and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. The Civil Air Patrol scanned the waves for ships, survivors and submarines (all on a volunteer basis). One of their main roles was to spot, harass and attack submarines, giving the nation time to mobilize. They played a major role in restoring security to our coasts and pushing the U-boat menace back out to sea. They trained cadets, patrolled the border, watched for forest fires, lead search and rescue missions, delivered essential parts and medicines, tested civil air defenses and towed targets in dangerous live-fire and anti-aircraft exercises. By the end of the War, the civilian men and women of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) had flown over 750,000 hours of missions, and 65 volunteers had given their lives on active duty. Their motto was (and still is) “Sepmer Vigilans” – they are ‘always vigilant’ and always ready to rush to the rescue of our country.

The first recipient of this medal was George Washington and this, says Wayne, makes him feel ‘quite honored.’

Addendum: Since the War, Wayne has flown many Search and Rescue (SAR) Missions in MA, CT, NY, IL, MO and CO as a mission pilot. He’s been a Squadron Commander in several states and he says that he really loves working with the cadets.

submitted by Doris Davis, Associate

One morning, as I awoke to the sharp shooting pain in the bottom of my foot, caused by neuropathy as a result of bilateral trench foot known as “frozen feet,” from temperatures 20 degrees below zero during The Battle of the Bulge. Thinking back, if I hadn’t been hospitalized at the 36^th General Hospital APO 380 somewhere in France between Feb. 18, 1945 and April 27, 1945 and had continued with my 80^th Inf. Division, where would I have ended up on V-E day?

History tells me it would be Czechoslovakia or Austria. This is my bucket list to finalize my quest to continue my tour of duty under the command of General George S. Patton’s 3^rd Army and celebrating the surrender of Germany on April 30, 1945.

After some trip planning mishaps, my son Marty and I have arranged a trip to Plzen. My son arrived Sunday night April 26^th. Stayed overnight and we are all set to leave the following day on our adventure. Departing 2:00 PM from RSW International Airport on United Airlines with a stop at Newark, N.J. we continue flying all night arriving next morning in Frankfurt, Germany. After clearing customs we continued our journey by train to Plzen by way of Nurnberg, Schwandorf and arriving in Plzen around 5:00 PM. After checking in to our Hotel and having dinner. Two tired travelers were ready for bed.

Next morning, after a restful night and an enjoyable breakfast at our Hotel UZvonu, we were welcomed by our beautiful compassionate smiling Patricia Kraftova, who works tirelessly volunteering her time as coordinator of the programming for the liberation festival and overseeing the escorts and buses for transportation to all the events every day. She is a remarkable lady for the love of the veterans and their families. For example she asked us what we would like to do today and we suggested that we would care to visit the Pilsner Brewery. No problem, as she called a cab and off we went to visit the Brewery where she had lunch with us in the Na Spilce restaurant ( still in the Brewery complex) after which she arranged our guided tour threw out the Brewery and told us she had to get back to work but the cab driver would return to take us back to the Hotel at the end of our tour.

Friday- May 1, 2015 We begin our whirlwind of a week of celebration including the dedication and ribbon cutting of a new monument in memory of General George S. Patton made of core ten steel located in the heart of down town Plzen followed by an invitation to City Hall where we were treated like Royalty being honored with gifts, whined and dined, and feasted on a wonderful buffet of food. We also were presented with a shopping bag filled with articles as a cap, tee shirt (with the Czech Republic insignia logo) on them. A ½ liter beer mug engraved with our name including an 18 ounce can of beer. The Lord Mayor really knows how to throw a welcome party!

Saturday- May 2, 2015 After having a wonderful breakfast at our hotel, we boarded our appointed buses departing around 9:00 AM and were led by a police escort through town non stop at the intersections regardless of the traffic lights, red or green. People along the streets must have wondered what VIP’s were we? Arriving at the main hall of the Mestanska Beseda meeting with the public together with the Belgian veterans-sharing memories and interviews between 10:00 – 12:00 noon plus 30 minutes of signing autographs. Enough to give you writer’s cramp by the time you signed your name, company, regiment, division and 3^rd Army that you served in. One of my friends had the right idea as he had a rubber stamp with his signature and outfit on it. I excused myself to go to the men’s room and thought instead of returning to the auditorium I would remain out in the lobby. Well that didn’t work as I had thought because low and behold the T.V. camera spotted me and was interviewing me along with people with cameras wanting pictures taken beside me with their spouses or children. Now I know what it must be like to have the paparazzi chasing after you. At 12:30 our buses depart to Plaza area and military camp, including the presentation of military history clubs, technology, equipment and Municipal Police Plzen presentation including a fly over of jet planes.

14:25 buses departure to Patton Memorial (museum): Reflex magazine photographing veterans and after visiting thru the museum we again departed to the Republic Square –restaurant Comix. Friendly dinner with Belgian veterans and Deputy Mayor, Martin Baxa. Municipality of the City of Plzen invitation list of WWII veterans from the USA and Belgium. The restaurant was closed to the general public during the dinner other than family members, guests and escorts. When we came out the door of the restaurant there were crowds of people on both sides of the sidewalk clear to the street waiting to photograph us. Because the jeeps were waiting to take us to the main stage in the Republic Square for a big swing party with the Melody Makers from 19:00-20:00 including folk celebration in dresses of 1945, dancing in the square, tasting limited edition of pilsner “Liberation beer.”But we ducked around the corner and walked back to our hotel.

Sunday-May 3, 2015 Again, another full day of celebration. After breakfast we boarded our buses at 8:00 AM and proceeded to Husova Street for a wreath-Laying Ceremony at the 16^th Armored Division Memorial. Also a Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the monument of Czechoslovak soldiers fighting on the Western Front. At 9:45 AM a Wreath- Laying Ceremony at the 2^nd Infantry Division Memorial in Chodske Square. After the ceremony your escorts show you to your jeep( with your name tag on it) only WWII veterans with one closest family member ride in jeeps. All other quests and all escorts to observe the convoy of Liberty from the VIP platform near the Opera House. The Parade lasts from 10:50 until 13:00 ending up in the Republic Square meeting the public once again for autographs. Thousands of people lined the streets cordoned behind fences along the curb.

I autographed flags, helmets, empty shell cases, pictures, books and you name it until I said to Patricia, “You’ve got to get me out of here.” So she threw Marty and me in the back of a police car and told the police Officers to take us down to the hotel for lunch. 14:00 Helen Patton – in concert with The Mole’s Wing Orchestra & The Spitfire Sister-Republic Square and as always with reserved chairs in front of the stage for our group. Helen Patton and Dick Williams:

Monday May 4, 2015 Called a Free Day including a memorial match of 1945-football (soccer) game between old guard of Victoria Plzen and American soldiers-members of historical military clubs reserved 30 seats for our group or by invitation by the Foyes family to their Frisova villa for the society of honor reception including a buffet lunch of which we attended. Later the same day by invitation meeting at the Marriott Hotel 200 guests gathered for an evening of entertainment, movie, and dinner provided by the George Lavickas family. They have been entertaining the American troops including their families every year at their home until the number of people became more than their house could accommodate and now they had to move it to the hotel. They do this in appreciation for the liberation and freedom that the American troops had given them in 1945. We were fortunate to be seated at the same table with Rob Gilbert and his father, Col. Robert I. Gilbert who will be 100 years old in June of this year.

Tuesday May 5, 2015 Buses depart for Dysina. A ceremony was held at the Gen. George S Patton school. Students performing dance and song. Returning back to Plzen Republic Square for The George S. Patton Scholarship of Honor Award. Also, Medals Awards by the Czech Army. It was followed by the Gustav Brom Big Band.

Wednesday May 6, 2015 @ 4:00 AM it’s time to leave behind our dream vacation and arrive at the airport for our flight home. It was a pleasure bonding with my son for a week but I don’t think he ever realized what a hero his Dad was, until the way that these people accepted us as their heroes. My son Marty quotes: “It was a trip of a lifetime.”

And I have to agree it was fabulous, exciting and beyond my expectations.

Written by: Norval (Dick) Williams Chevalier

Mr. Frank Vetere was awarded the French Legion of Honor by the Honorary Consul General of France, Mr. Jack Cowan, in Seattle, WA on April 11, 2015 at the annual meeting of the Northwest Chapter. Many family members and friends were among the 100 + attendees.

Frank was initially trained as a Bridge Builder Combat Engineer in 1943 and on July 24, 1944, he and his Battalion arrived on Utah Beach, He saw combat in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Luxembourg. On December 16, 1944 (the day that the “Bulge” began), he was in the Eupen Forest. He remembers being in Brand, Germany (just outside of Aachen). His Battalion held Germany in check at Monchau. They constructed bridges over the Roer, Rhine, Weser, and Elbe Rivers. Prior to receiving this medal, he had been awarded 2 Overseas Bars, American Campaign Medal, and a European African Middle Eastern Theater Medal with 4 Battle Stars.

Submitted by Doris Davis, Associate

Battle of the Bulge Survivors Gather; Recall Snow, Encounters with the Foe
By Helen McCaffrey; Reprinted with Permission from the Cape May Herald

Trish Hebert put it best when she said, “It’s important to remember everybody who served and the lives that were lost saving our country.” On Dec. 19 that is exactly what a group of over 40 did when they gathered at Mad Batter restaurant to honor the survivors of the Battle of the Bulge.

The famous battle that stopped the last massive push of the Nazi army occurred between Dec. 16, 1944 and Jan. 25, 1945. It involved American, French, British, Canadian, Belgian and German troops. When it was over, the official list of American casualties was 80,987 including 19,000 killed.

The Battle of the Bulge, as contemporary media named it, was the bloodiest battle of World War II for the Americans. The German casualties were numbered at 84,834. In the end, the Nazi counter-offensive failed and the Allies went on to liberate Europe. The outcome was not assured, however, when the Nazis made their surprise attack.

Arlette Michaelis was a child of 15 living in a country occupied by the Nazis. At the time of the battle, her parents Maurice and Georgette de Monceau, along with her brother Guy, were all in prison. They had been put there by the Nazis for resistance activities.

“I had to take care of my younger sister, Jilette who was 13,” recalled Michaelis. She remembered how frightened the Belgian people were that the Germans would have resurgence. The snow was so bad nothing could move and the clouds so thick that the planes could not fly,” she said.

The Germans finally ran out of gas – literally. Michaelis said the biggest lesson learned was how precious freedom is and how any country could lose it just like Belgium did. “That is my big fear,” she said. She recounted it all in her book Beyond the Ouija Board. “We will always be grateful to the Allies and the Americans.”

Ed Steinberg serves as the president of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge – South Jersey Chapter LXI. Steinberg is the son of Albert, a Bronze Star recipient and survivor of the battle. He received the baton from Gus Epple who was present.

Epple asked that any World War II veteran share one story. He told of his own “Baptism of Fire.” That first night of engagement, Epple was asked by his sergeant to go with him across the field of battle to search for the wounded and take them to safety. It was one wounded man at a time all the while dodging Nazi strafing. “That night I learned what was meant by ‘dead weight.’ That was my first day of combat.”

A young Al McGorsky had a message to deliver on Christmas Eve. As he drove across the open field, his jeep broke down in the muck. “What the hell are we going to do?” he thought.

The 18-year-old prayed. The message got delivered. “Bastogne is the word that describes the rest of your life,” he declared. He also recalled running into three young German soldiers who were leaving the battlefield. “They had enough. They were quitting. My buddy wanted to kill them but I said, ‘No put ‘em in the jeep.’ We did and turned them over to the French.” He said he got in trouble for not killing them but added, “I couldn’t. It was against my rules to shoot ‘em in cold blood.”

James Dougherty traveled all the way from Ashland, Va. to honor his late father-in-law, Ted Kerwood. William deWald, accompanied by his companion, Debbie Longo, presented a check to honor the memory of his father Nicholas B. deWald who died in May 2014 at age 97. He expressed gratitude for all he had learned from his father and the other brave men who fought that frigid winter.

Rev. Ted Osler of First United Methodist Church in Court House delivered the invocation. Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Mike Gross gave the keynote speech. Gross came equipped with a treasure trove of photographs taken by a 16-year-old soldier Louis Glaven.

Two days before Glaven died he passed on the invaluable photos to Gross. They had been hidden in his attic for nearly three quarters of a century. Glaven used a Kodak Brownie camera to take dozens of pictures of the landing on Omaha Beach.

“The albums are destined for the Navy War College. This is a story that should be told, must be told and is being lost,” said Gross.

Joseph Hebert, Navy captain, retired, is engaged in reaching out to young people to make sure they know their history.

The event was hosted by owner of the Mad Batter, Mark Kulkowitz. His father, Harry, fought in the battle when he was 19. For his exceptional bravery Kulkowitz was awarded the Legion d’Honeur Medal by the government of France.

Mark recently took him to Normandy for the remembrance there and he was greeted by the heads of state, including President Barack Obama.

Alex Jackson told the Herald that fewer school principals are inviting veterans to tell their histories. “They say they can’t fit it in. I’d like to see that change. Ask your local school to host these men – these brave warriors. We owe them and our children to keep this going,” Jackson added.

The Condo News print newspaper, in its 44th year, circulates within the condominium communities of Palm Beach County, Florida, from Delray Beach in the south to North Palm Beach in the north, and along the beach on Singer Island, Palm Beach, and South Palm Beach, west to Royal Palm Beach.

Condo News Online is an extension of the Condo News, taking its content largely from the print version, with the addition of links to interesting and informative websites we feel are of interest to our readers. The columns by condo correspondents appear only in the print version.

Click on Veteran’s News icon to read about our veterans

Betty Thomas, Publisher & Webmaster

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Jack Carver, Lou Cunningham, Walter George and Richard Good did not know each other in 194,4 although they were all fighting along the shattered American lines in the pivotal Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Little did they know that one day they’d all be sitting around together telling old war stories.

Read the story by:
Shelby Mertens
ReporterPetersburg Progress-Index

April 14, 2013, we introduced the American documentary,”16 Photographs from Ohrdruf “in the women and family center in Arnstadt. My husband Douglas Dillard helped me with the translation so that all visitors could understand. About 20 interested ladies came, as well as two gentlemen. We were cordially greeting by Mrs. Schmidt. The press also was present.

The film shows the tracks Mathew Nash retraced when his grandfather took 16 photos, made shortly after liberation. His grandfather, Donald Johnson was as a medic during the liberation of the Ohrdruf camp there and made the photos. He kept stored away until his death. Nash found them many years later and broke the silence.

Together we watched the movie and sometimes it was very quiet in the room. Witnesses, veterans and historians came to speak in the film. The camp, the survivors and the horror on the photos, which were shown during the movie, were very present. After the viewing, a discussion with witnesses took place. The silence of the grandfather in the movie also found some parallels.

A lady among us explained that her grandson is currently serving in Afghanistan and that he doesn’t speak about his experiences neither. Jürgen Ludwig from Arnstadt and a community worker from Gehren talked about the S III camp, the construction sites and emphasized that many questions were still open.

Almost every visitor knew about the Jonastal, as they came from the region around Arnstadt. I explained, as member of the Jonastal Association, the work of our association and that the documentation center can be visited.

Critical questions also asked, especially as to camps in our current history. Why does Guantanamo exist? Why is there so little information to be found about the Jonastal in the American archives? Even when we were not able to answer all questions, it felt good to know that the documentary touched the viewers present.

Our presentation in the women and family center showed, once again, that people haven’t forgotten the events during the war and that they have a keen interest in events that are happening now. This is a good thing.

If you want to know more about Mathew Nash and his movie, you can visit the documentation center of the Jonastal Association in Arnstadt.

As has already been covered in some detail, the 70^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, visited by the VBOB in December to Belgium and Luxembourg I wanted to report  on a continued representation of the VBOB by my presence at commemorations that continued to be held as VE Day approached in May 2015.

My wife and I returned to Europe  (Germany) in April and began activities that were  interesting, inspiring with the survivors, but exhausting as well.  On 2 April, as agreed to with the Jonastal Foundation ( Ute’s Foundation that continues to research the underground facility that was used to make aircraft parts and also being prepared as Hitler’s bunker once he decided to leave Berlin), that we would meet Petro Mischtschuk who was originally from the Ukraine and was a NAZI prisoner in several concentration camps, finally ending up at Buchenwald when the War ended.  He wore his old prisoner uniform that has been mended many times, but Petro wanted to be seen in it anyway. With our car, Ute and I spent the better part of the week with Petro and his friend taking them to scheduled events such as  the City Hall in Arnstadt where Petro and I were made honorary citizens of Arnstadt and signed their Gold Book (for VIPs). We attended the service at Ohrdruf Concentration Camp where about five thousand prisoners died or were killed outright by the NAZI SS guards. Then a service at the Jonastal monument to recognize the dead from that underground facility. Joining us for the services was Mayor Durer, who as a small boy in hi village which here now serves as its Mayor, he observed the death march, as prisoners from Ohrdruf, Crawinkel and Esplanfeld , all small camps subordinate to Buchenwald were march towards Buchenwald to be exterminated as the US Forces approached. He recalls seeing a fallen prisoner begging the SS guard to not kill him, but he did anyway with a shot in the back of the head.  Mayor Durer recalls all the brutal treatment he observed there in his village of Liebenstein as the prisoners were marched by.

Later in the week we attended a youth seminar held in a housing area but specially arranged so the youths could ask questions of our group that consisted of myself, Petro and Mayor Durer. I especially enjoyed meeting the youths and responding to their questions. The questions were directed more to Wartime experiences. After our week escorting Petro around we attended the commemoration event at Buchenwald, the main concentration camp.  There we met our old friends, all survivors, Murrary Goldfinger, Jerry Kielzweski and of course Petro. The service was well attended with several thousand persons, the US Ambassador Mr. Emerson was present as well as the Russian representative. I should mention that the Camp Committee that scheduled events, etc are primarily ardent Communists. In the early days after the DDR or German Democratic Republic came into existence signs were displayed that the Russian Forces had liberated the Camp, soon that did change, but even today there is no display or mention that the US Army liberated the Camp. I was very pleased to meet Goldfinger and Kielzewski again, we have visited Goldfinger who resides in New Jersey.

The commemoration at Buchenwald ended the series of services for a while. However, I located a survivor from the Ukraine who was liberated by my division, 82d Airborne on 2 May 1945 so we had a very great meeting. Unfortunately Nikola is now blind but we immediately became comrades. He had to serve in the Russian Army for six month after the war so he was wearing all his Russian medals. We spent about 4 hours in our meeting and as we departed he still wanted to talk.  I thoroughly enjoyed that meeting.

With a small break in late April, the day approached to commemorate VE Day. Our Belgian Army friend Patrick Brion and wife Steffi met us in Kahla where the NAZI Jet fighter aircraft was developed in the Marshal Goring underground facility.  Thousands of foreign workers were brought in to work on the project as well as other aircraft parts not as prisoners but paid workers from Slovakia, Spain,Italy, Holland and Germany.  They were confined to several camps as were prisoners and had to work under very grueling conditions supervised by the ever present NAZI Guards.  Many of these workers died from pneumonia due to their working conditions and poor health care.  We made some great friends from Holland, Italy and Slovakia among the relatives of the workers who perished in the camp there. There were several camps located around the city of Kahla and at each former camp site a commemoration service was held. The one that means the most to me was held in Kleinshmidt, where the monument is located by the highway and after the ceremonial speeches were made, we were given a red rose by the children of the village and each child accompanied us to placed the rose on the monument.  My very young boy was not sure what he was to do, but I have done it the year before so we had no problem.

I wore my cap with the VBOB insignia so as the press covered the events their photos will show VBOB was present. I should just comment, the US divisions that fought in the Bulge were some of the Divisions that liberated the camps and made it to the Czech border with Patton’s Third US Army, so our VBOB veterans who were there will appreciate this information.

This year, so far Ute and I have been in Germany for 75 days and as you can see we have been very busy. We also continue to do our research on the camps and will be with our German friends later on in Berlin to research WWII underground facilities.

Submitted by Doug Dillard, 82nd Airborne and his wife Ute, Associate
May 24, 2015

Ute Dillard

Celebrating 70 Years of Victory at the World War II Memorial

by J. David Bailey, 106^th Infantry Division, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and Member of the Friends of the World War II Memorial.

Seventy years ago our forebears helped save the world from the unspeakable horror of global Fascist domination. American troops along with British, Canadians, Free French and other Allied Soldiers earned the non-ubiquitous title – The Greatest Generation. Across the Free World people took to the streets in celebration of a hard-fought peace.

The War in Europe was over but not without sacrifice. In the end, the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium and Luxembourg was the costliest action every fought by the U. S. Army, and suffered 80,000 losses between casualties and wounded. Winston Churchill later stated.

“7/r/s is undoubtedly the greatest American Battle of the War and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American Victory”

On May 8,1945 I was in Bad Ems, Germany and five of my comrades from 106th Infantry Division took off for the nearest tavern to celebrate. We never dreamed that there was a cameraman present from the “Stars and Stripes” and that we would appear on the cover page of their Victory Edition. It was a humbling but gratifying experience for all of us.

Today’s commemoration co-hosted by the Friends of the National Word War II Memorial and the National Park Service was the largest event held at the World War II Memorial since its dedication more than ten years ago. Present was a roster of distinguished guests and representatives from the embassies of nearly 30 European Theatre Allied Nations.

Record numbers of veterans and their families including World War II veterans were present for the occasion.

The event climaxed by “A Victory Capital Flyover” which included 56 World War II aircraft flying in 15 historically sequenced war bird formation overhead. For those of us that witnessed this spectacle it was a moment to always remember.

As we celebrate this landmark occasion let us not simply commemorate history, let us rededicate ourselves to the freedom to which we fought.

In the words of George Washington – “Freedom when it begins to take root, is a plant of
rapid growth.”

May 8, 2015