The 2008 reunion of American Aces (any pilot who has been officially credited with destroying 5 or more enemy planes) will occur from June 26 thru June 29th at the Radisson Hotel & Suites, 111 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin Texas. Call 1-800-333-3333 for room reservations. Rooms are $119 plus all the extra taxes they put onto a room. You must reserve by May 27th to get these rates.
Reunion cost is $130 a person.
Send you reunion money to Col. Ward Boyce; 12408 Deer Track, Austin Texas 78727-5746
Make the check out to AFAA Reunion.
The B-17 along Highway 99-E is undergoing a slow restoration
The Boeing B-17G that was first placed there in 1947 - the Lacy Bomber - is missing its nose - along with other parts - due to the expensive ongoing restoration project. There is now a museum on the site where the nose, ball turret and other items are stored while being re-furbished. It is also a banquet room you can rent out.
It will take a few million to restore it to flying status. You can dontate money to them via their web site: www.thebomber.com .
If you wish to look at, and purchase, historical arms (or pick up rare ammo for the weapons you have) Collector's West has published their show schedule for 2008. The Portland show at the Expo Center incorporates the Rose City Gun Collectors group.
March 1 & 2 show is in Vancouver, 14-16 in Portland, and then 29 & 30 of March in Grants Pass.
This is the third year of holding the "Hero's Breakfast" started in part due to honor of the WW II B-17 men who were trained at Walla Walla.
The program honors all types of heroes, but the last 15 minutes are singled out to any military veteran, past or currently serving.
It was started by Dixie Ferguson after she heard some of the stories told by veterans.
Whitman Hotel; 6 West Rose Street; Walla Walla, Washington. 509-525-2200 for directions or information.
The Swoose, a movie start in films such as "12 O'Clock High," is the oldest B-17D in existence. It has been in storage for 50+ years in Maryland without ever being restored.
The Flying Fortress was stationed on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines on December 7, 1941 and it made a reconnaissance flight that day and then flew in the first bombing mission in the Pacific. It also made a night bombing attack on Davao Gulf a few days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was converted into a fast transport for generals.
Now this aircraft is being moved to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Dayton, Ohio - where people will actually be allowed to see it.
The famous Hasbro toy of the early 1960s, G.I. Joe, whose face was was modeled after the real hero of WW II Marine Col. Mitchell Paige, is being reworked from an American Hero, to a undefined Euro Centric UN type law enforcement outfit in the new movie by Paramount.
Hasbro originally planned for an Marine, Army, Navy, Air Force versions but ended up only having the Army and Marine version initially using the likeness of Col Paige on both.
The name now means "Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity."
See the full write up of Vin Suprynowicz's article at http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/10849526.html.
I read his column in the January issue of Shotgun News. SGN often has a great article detailing the history of a firearm in each issue.
A possible travel strike in January in UK occur on three sets of dates. One set could be on January 7 then Jan. 14 2008, and the other strike action could be for possibly two days starting Jan. 17. This is with the baggage handlers (?) for the airports.
Happy Landings.
He was in Basic Training when the war ended and never served in combat but still was part of the Army and thus qualified to be a U.S. veteran of World War I. He died in Ohio at 109 year of age at the Briar Hill Health Campus in North Baltimore.
Two other U.S. veterans are still living after the Armistice that ended the Great War to End All Wars was assigned on November 11, 1918.
Of the 4.7 million plus Americans who joined the military After the War Declaration in 1917 only 2 now remain: Frank Buckles, 106, of Charles Town, West Virginia; and Harry Richard Landis, 108, of Sun City Center, Florida.
The only Canadian veteran left is John Babcock, 107, who lives in Spokane, Washington.