Received the following from Crew colleague Dick Quimby:
Dick, and 133 troops: This morning I had coffee with a nearby friend here in Utah who flew with Ed Flanders in Germany in the 50th F-4 Squadron. He knew that Ed had also been in the 39th with me at Dover and asked if I had received Ed's email, letting folks know that his wife, Claire, had died on 10 Nov. I had not, but knew that Claire had been ill for some time, with numerous hospital stays.
Ed and Claire drove me up to New Hampshire from Dover after the last reunion, and we shared many war stories. (again!, Sheila and I knew them in the 39th) I spoke to Ed an hour ago, and he's certainly OK with letting C-133 folks know that Claire has passed away, so please pass this on to all. What great friends we've gathered, and what wonderful memories we share as we begin to "just fade away." Q
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Surviving Hell: A POW's Journey
USAF Col. Leo Thorsness, was an F-105 pilot in Viet Nam in 1967. Here's an excerpt from a post on Powerline blog:
Colonel Thorsness is one of the most remarkable men I have ever met. He is one of the few (fewer than 150) living Medal of Honor recipients. His name should be known and his story should be told. He may be one of the "great-souled" men at the summit of human excellence of whom Aristotle speaks in the Ethics.
Listening to Colonel Thorsness talk about his experience as a prisoner of war, I thought to myself that someone has to write this up. I have since learned that someone -- Colonel Thorsness himself -- has done so (click on his memoir Surviving Hell: A POW's Journey ). Based on my interview with Colonel Thorsness, I look forward to reading the book and commend it to your attention.
To read the rest of this post on Powerline blog, click on: A McCain Campaign Highlight
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
November Book of the Month
Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life
By
Carlo D’este
Henry Holt and Company, 2002
By
Carlo D’este
Henry Holt and Company, 2002
Thirty-Fourth President
1953-1961
Born: October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas
Died: March 28, 1969 in Washington D.C.
1953-1961
Born: October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas
Died: March 28, 1969 in Washington D.C.
The roster of The Long Gray Line for the class of 1915 at West Point reads like a military Who’s Who of WWII. More than half the class of 115 graduates who served in the War became Generals. It was the “class the stars fell on” with two four-stars, seven three-stars, twenty-four two-stars, and twenty-five one stars. Additionally, there were two five-stars and one President of the United States: Eisenhower, possibly the most famous USMA graduate of the 20th Century. The Class of 1915 is the most famous in West Point history. It is the class that saved the world from the evils of the fascist tyrants. There will never be another like it!
D’Este writes a most compelling and readable biography of Eisenhower’s life as a soldier that leads to him becoming a national hero and one of the most universally respected Americans of his time. He rightly notes that more than a half century later it is still difficult to grasp fully the enormity of Eisenhower’s responsibilities. Even so, in war or peace, Eisenhower always insisted he was not an indispensable man. It was only the people that worked for him or the citizens of the country that he worked for that considered him indispensable. The verdict became overwhelming as he was accepted by the free world as one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated military commanders!
As one of six “hellions’ brothers from the wrong side of town all, including Ike, would never have dreamed that he would be thrust into the leadership of an international coalition of disparate peoples charged by Marshall to lead the Allied forces to victory during WWII. Only the shared hatred for Hitler and Eisenhower’s calming demeanor brought them together for this common cause. General Eisenhower is largely credited as the major military player that saved our Civilization from the evils of fascism. Oddly, her son’s profession was especially disconcerting to his mother, Ida Eisenhower, who had an abhorrence of war and never really reconciled her religious beliefs with his life choice.
Some historians have noted that Eisenhower was an astonishing man, one of the most astonishing in American history. He was born David Dwight Eisenhower but was best known as Ike. He exuded public confidence but was a nervous bundle of energy in private. During the intensity leading up to the Normandy invasion General Eisenhower was once heard to comment, “I hope to God I know what I am doing”; but, once the invasion was launched he somberly noted, “No one can stop it now”. The personal stress was so great that Ike increased his smoking habit to four packs of Chesterfields per day.
“I like Ike” still resonates among the American populace that elected General Eisenhower as our country’s thirty-fourth President. The author opines that Ike would have been elated merely to be remembered as a good soldier. And, that he was, as were all who have signed the blank check to enter into military service to defend the country up to and including their life asking nothing in return but dignity from their fellow countrymen. West Point’s teachings of Duty, Honor, Country became living values that served General Eisenhower and our soldiers well as we entered into one of the world’s great conflagrations. It was a time of dark despair for the democracies as the defeat of our Allies seemed eminent and our European military forces were now being trusted to a General of unknown fighting ability.
Carlo D’Este chronicles this portrait of Eisenhower’s life from birth to his Victory in WWII. Through it all, Ike remained an unpretentious man hoping that in the end to ‘gain an eternal peace for this world’. As Supreme Commander to the Combined Chiefs of Staff, General Eisenhower released the following statement, devoid of self-congratulation, declaring the War in Europe officially ended: The mission of this Allied Force was fulfilled at 0241, local time, May 7th, 1945. Eisenhower. Ike was now a man for the ages.
I remember well the glorious news of that day, as do many of you. Celebrations were in order in every city and town in the country. The excitement for every citizen was palpable. The long ordeal was almost over with only Japan left to defeat. Families would finally be reunited. The headline in very newspaper was VICTORY! The exhilaration of that day is forever with each of us. It remains a defining moment in the lives of all. Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life is a chance to relive it minute-by-minute, battle-by-battle, and person-by-person.
Lastly, Eisenhower’s military and subsequent civilian leadership roles would seem to be a true model for today’s political leaders. His solid educational background honed by years of worldwide interactions within the highest levels of commerce and government created a proven, tested professional to assume national leadership. That background seems to be sorely missing among many of today’s leaders with their vacuous knowledge of economics, military affairs, and the role of America in today’s world. Ike and his colleagues seem to have been true adults in the room when measured against many of today’s sycophantic politicians that seek personal power for personal gain. Ike exuded a trustworthiness that few today do. I truly like Ike and wish there were more like him. . Enjoy!
D’Este writes a most compelling and readable biography of Eisenhower’s life as a soldier that leads to him becoming a national hero and one of the most universally respected Americans of his time. He rightly notes that more than a half century later it is still difficult to grasp fully the enormity of Eisenhower’s responsibilities. Even so, in war or peace, Eisenhower always insisted he was not an indispensable man. It was only the people that worked for him or the citizens of the country that he worked for that considered him indispensable. The verdict became overwhelming as he was accepted by the free world as one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated military commanders!
As one of six “hellions’ brothers from the wrong side of town all, including Ike, would never have dreamed that he would be thrust into the leadership of an international coalition of disparate peoples charged by Marshall to lead the Allied forces to victory during WWII. Only the shared hatred for Hitler and Eisenhower’s calming demeanor brought them together for this common cause. General Eisenhower is largely credited as the major military player that saved our Civilization from the evils of fascism. Oddly, her son’s profession was especially disconcerting to his mother, Ida Eisenhower, who had an abhorrence of war and never really reconciled her religious beliefs with his life choice.
Some historians have noted that Eisenhower was an astonishing man, one of the most astonishing in American history. He was born David Dwight Eisenhower but was best known as Ike. He exuded public confidence but was a nervous bundle of energy in private. During the intensity leading up to the Normandy invasion General Eisenhower was once heard to comment, “I hope to God I know what I am doing”; but, once the invasion was launched he somberly noted, “No one can stop it now”. The personal stress was so great that Ike increased his smoking habit to four packs of Chesterfields per day.
“I like Ike” still resonates among the American populace that elected General Eisenhower as our country’s thirty-fourth President. The author opines that Ike would have been elated merely to be remembered as a good soldier. And, that he was, as were all who have signed the blank check to enter into military service to defend the country up to and including their life asking nothing in return but dignity from their fellow countrymen. West Point’s teachings of Duty, Honor, Country became living values that served General Eisenhower and our soldiers well as we entered into one of the world’s great conflagrations. It was a time of dark despair for the democracies as the defeat of our Allies seemed eminent and our European military forces were now being trusted to a General of unknown fighting ability.
Carlo D’Este chronicles this portrait of Eisenhower’s life from birth to his Victory in WWII. Through it all, Ike remained an unpretentious man hoping that in the end to ‘gain an eternal peace for this world’. As Supreme Commander to the Combined Chiefs of Staff, General Eisenhower released the following statement, devoid of self-congratulation, declaring the War in Europe officially ended: The mission of this Allied Force was fulfilled at 0241, local time, May 7th, 1945. Eisenhower. Ike was now a man for the ages.
I remember well the glorious news of that day, as do many of you. Celebrations were in order in every city and town in the country. The excitement for every citizen was palpable. The long ordeal was almost over with only Japan left to defeat. Families would finally be reunited. The headline in very newspaper was VICTORY! The exhilaration of that day is forever with each of us. It remains a defining moment in the lives of all. Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life is a chance to relive it minute-by-minute, battle-by-battle, and person-by-person.
Lastly, Eisenhower’s military and subsequent civilian leadership roles would seem to be a true model for today’s political leaders. His solid educational background honed by years of worldwide interactions within the highest levels of commerce and government created a proven, tested professional to assume national leadership. That background seems to be sorely missing among many of today’s leaders with their vacuous knowledge of economics, military affairs, and the role of America in today’s world. Ike and his colleagues seem to have been true adults in the room when measured against many of today’s sycophantic politicians that seek personal power for personal gain. Ike exuded a trustworthiness that few today do. I truly like Ike and wish there were more like him. . Enjoy!
Reviewed for our C-133 site
By
Richard Spencer
39th ATS, DAFB, 1962-1965
To order a hard cover copy of the book online for $1.00 + S&H,
click on: Bookseller
By
Richard Spencer
39th ATS, DAFB, 1962-1965
To order a hard cover copy of the book online for $1.00 + S&H,
click on: Bookseller
Monday, November 3, 2008
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