[Insert clever Veteran’s day title Here]
Ok I admit, I cannot think of a good enough title for this post. Call it a off day. BUT, what I am not out of is stories of things going on these Veterans day. The first one I want to start out with is the airing of the reunion that I talked about a few days ago in San Antonio. They did OK with it given that the spot was less then two minutes. But I wanted to again thank this website for helping this meeting to take place. Also because this website was not credited as being the main reason that my family was able to connect with his.
Speaking of reunion it seems that there was a similar story where a Soldier from the 101st was able to talk to a long lost love from 1944. It is a nice story, just ignore the fact that they used footage of US Marines ambitious landing at a unidentified location in the Pacific when they were talking about Operation Overlord.
Next we have retired military pilot Retired Air Force Col. William “Goldie” Goldfein who was given another chance to fly by a group called the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation. Just a few things from this story shows what amazing person he is.
While he was flying, Anderson recalled one trip that required a lot of skill.
“I had a dead stick landing when I was over Germany,” Anderson recalled. “Smoke coming from under the instrument panel, that makes it exciting. Fortunately the good Lord was looking over your shoulder and we had good training.”
I am not sure if I would have used the word exciting in that context.
And a completely random thought, Stinson Airfield, the location of this event has a nice aviation museum that is worth a look.
Lastly is a reminder on why we have this day, to remember those who have served past and present.
So the morale of these stories is remember the past and remember to tell it. Because it is the stories that we tell our children and grandchildren that could make our golden years just that more interesting.
UPDATED Nov 13th 2015: Here is a link to the story that the 12th Training Wing wrote.
Category: Veterans in the news, War Stories
HOOOOAH….
something doesn’t compute! He said the dead stick landing was over Germany, the response was that it happened at Stinson field in Texas….I dunt think zo!!
Sorry, I forgot to add the link to that story. The aircraft that he got a chance to fly was in Stinson field was the same type aircraft that he used to train on.
Speaking of veterans, this one is retiring: A 94 year old Ma Deuce, S/N 324 is being put away because it was finally sent back to the shop for an overhaul and since they didn’t want to ruin the S/N with the overhaul they are instead retiring it.
Speaking of Germany:
Allegedly the German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport are renowned as a short-tempered lot. They, it is alleged, not only expect one to know one’s gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from them. So it was with some amusement that we (a Pan Am 747) listened to the following exchange between Frankfurt ground control and a British Airways 747, call sign Speedbird 206.
Speedbird 206: “Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of active runway.”
Ground: “Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven.”
The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.
Ground: “Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?”
Speedbird 206: “Stand by, Ground, I’m looking up our gate location now.”
Ground (with quite arrogant impatience): “Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?”
Speedbird 206 (coolly): “Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark,…… and I didn’t land.”
*STOLEN VALOR, STOLEN VALOR STOLEN VALOR!!!!!!*
Nail this GUY!!!!
http://gentlemint.com/media/images/2012/09/30/88bc375a.jpg.505x650_q85.jpg
Looks legit to me.
10th Mtn Division Veterans Day post form a skiing blog…short read with pics. I like skiing and veterans…win/win for me
http://snowbrains.com/10th-mountain-division-history-fire-mountain/