Memorial Day 2014 - Honoring those who gave all

Many times, it's the stories of those that survived that help us appreciate the incredible sacrifices of those in uniform...

Memorial Day * Warbirds News | Today is a national holiday here in the United States, Memorial Day in fact. Today is the day we celebrate the lives lost in our name on the battlefield, and the countless casualties which followed in its aftermath. For many, sadly, it has simply become a day off work to relax around the barbecue, or at the beach or swimming pool with family and friends. The first warm days are finally here after a long and dreary winter, so it’s only natural to want to shrug off the chill, and embrace the sunshine for a while. And these are good things. We must embrace life. However, we must also pause to reflect with thanks upon the ultimate sacrifices made by so many … far too many … that we might enjoy our future days in peace. Nor should we forget the families those brave men and women left behind either. For them there will be no easy days ahead....

'Doolittle Raiders' receive Congressional Gold Medal - Washington Post  | The weather over Arlington National Cemetery was sunny and clear, similar to the day in 1942 when Richard Cole helped change the course of American history as one of James H. Doolittle’s “Raiders” during World War II. As he stood before the grave of his former commander, the 98-year-old ex-pilot who helped stage a daring attack on Japan that lifted American spirits at a crucial time said the memory is bittersweet....

Doolittle Raiders and Fighter Aces Honored - Military.com | ...Obama's signing awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the 80 volunteers who formed the Raiders and to the more than 1,400 pilots from World War I through the Vietnam War who became Aces....

Tuskegee Airmen meet B-17 bomber pilot their unit escorted during famous WWII mission - Daily Journal | BIG FLATS, New York — A Memorial Day weekend gathering of some of the last surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen has reunited them with a World War II bomber pilot their unit escorted on a famous mission over Germany. The Buffalo News reports (http://bit.ly/1olQpSd) that 95-year-old Bill Strapko of North Tonawanda, New York, was invited to Saturday's Return of the Red Tails celebration at the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center in Big Flats, near Elmira...

WWII vet remembers flying B-17 bombers - The Herald-Times | Don Duncan, 92, remembers his time flying missions in a B-17 Flying Fortress during WWII. He and his two brothers, 91 and 94 and living in California, served in combat roles during the war and returned home uninjured...

Old Glory Honor Flight to make return trip to Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Appleton Post Crescent  | Appleton’s Randy Howell can’t find the words to describe the solemnity surrounding the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Last year’s Gold Ribbon Honor Flight, originating from Oshkosh, marked a second visit to the memorial for the Vietnam War veteran. It was the first time he examined the 58,000-plus names that are etched in its reflective, black stone walls. On Howell’s first visit, he froze at a distance and sent his wife to take photos....

Big Country Squadron Commemorative Air Force Hosts Annual Memorial Service - Big Country Homepage | Veterans and Others Shared Their Stories At The 28th Annual Memorial Service At Elmdale Baptist Church. Elmdale Baptist Church hosted the 28th annual memorial worship service conducted by the Big Country Squadron Commemorative Air Force. Many veterans shared stories, songs, and other memories of their time serving. There were over a hundred people from different branches and organizations in attendance....

Sgt. Dick Samuelson of Tangerine Woods kept the B-24s flying over Germany · Don Moore, War Tales | Dick Samuelson of Tangerine Woods in Englewood, Fla. admits “I was no big war hero.” He joined the Army Air Corps during the last 18 months of World War II after graduating from high school in Brockton, Mass. Following basic training he went to radar technician and long range navigation school. Then he was sent to Europe...

McCandless brothers, heroes gave their lives in service - Pittsburgh Post Gazette  | When comedian Bob Hope told a joke on his radio program about Col. William H. Councill's record-setting jet flight, his family realized the veteran pilot was at least temporarily famous. "Bob Hope said when my father's plane flew by a bird, it was going so fast that it blew all the bird's feathers off," Frances Councill recalled in a recent phone interview.  William H. Councill, who grew up in the Ingomar portion of McCandless, set a transcontinental speed record on Jan. 26, 1946, flying from Los Angeles to New York at an average of almost 600 mph. He was piloting a Lockheed P-80 "Shooting Star" jet, and his record stood for eight years....

Capt. Johnson: the Piper Cub beat the Germans – As a military plane it had no equal, he says · Don Moore, War Tales | The Piper Cub, used as an artillery spotter plane, did more to defeat the German Army in World War II then any other American airplane, according to Capt. John Johnson.  “The Air Force just went over and dropped bombs on German cities, but the Army’s Piper Cub observer planes spotted enemy positions for American artillery that tore up the German artillery and troops,” he said. “These Cubs did more damage to the Germany Army than our bombers and fighters.”...

Navy Blue Fighter Pilot - Episode Two * Vintage Wings of Canada | In many respects the initial experiences of Victorious’ fighter wing with the Royal Navy's Eastern Fleet was a matter of one step forward, two steps back. They arrived brimming with confidence from their success with the Home Fleet, but after a few months in the new theatre concerns arose as to whether they were truly prepared to attack the strongly defended targets on the strike program. As much as anything...

World War II Navy veteran takes flight in B-25 at air show - Chronicle-Telegram | ELYRIA — The Discover Aviation Air Show was billed as one where youngsters could come within touching distance of fighter jets and war planes while turning their eyes to the skies as aerial acrobats performed death-defying stunts. But the real wonder took place on the ground....

Today Show * Women have long contributed to American military service. In honor of Memorial Day, the Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation compiled photos that highlight those who bravely dedicated themselves to America’s defense.

Former "Rosie the Riveter" revisits B-17 history - KTVB | BOISE -- A WWII-era "Rosie the Riveter" got to see a plane like the ones she worked on many years ago. The front lines in WWII were overseas, but there was a massive movement stateside to help in the war effort. Women like Charlotte Ford helped out by building and fixing planes as riveters....

Michael P. Anderson Memorial Statue by travelforaircraft | Michael Anderson is missed in Spokane Washington which he chose as his hometown. He led a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force as well as NASA before dying with his crew while on duty aboard Space Shuttle Columbia in the skies over Dallas TX on mission STS 107....