Memorial Day flyby in France

[Randy Haskin]

If anyone will be at any of the American Military Cemeteries in France tomorrow, my squadron will be performing several of the flypasts.

I'll be flying over Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at 1500 Local.

I thought this video of that cemetery was great...I'm going to be showing this to the members of my flight tomorrow before we take off to get us in the right mindset.

http://media.oaktreesys.com/abmc/video/ ... ies/ma.wmv

EDIT: corrected time. Here are the rest of the scheduled ceremonies in western Europe.

2008 Memorial Day Ceremony Schedule
Country and Cemetery Date Time
Aisne-Marne American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
9:00 a.m.

Ardennes American Cemetery -- Belgium
Sat - 24 May
10:00 a.m.

Brittany American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
4:00 p.m.

Brookwood American Cemetery -- England
Sun - 25 May
3:00 p.m.

Cambridge American Cemetery -- England
Mon - 26 May
11:00 a.m.

Epinal American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
3:00 p.m.

Flanders Field American Cemetery -- Belgium
Sun - 25 May
3:00 p.m.

Florence American Cemetery -- Italy
Mon - 26 May
11:00 a.m.

Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery -- Belgium
Sat - 24 May
4:00 p.m.

Lorraine American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
11:00 a.m.

Luxembourg American Cemetery -- Luxembourg
Sat - 24 May
2:00 p.m.

Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
3:00 p.m.

Netherlands American Cemetery -- The Netherlands
Sun - 25 May
3:00 p.m.

Normandy American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
10:30 a.m.

Oise-Aisne American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
3:00 p.m.

Rhone American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
10:00 a.m.

Saint Mihiel American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
4:00 p.m.

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery -- Italy
Mon - 26 May
11:00 a.m.

Somme American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
3:00 p.m.

Suresnes American Cemetery -- France
Sun - 25 May
2:30 p.m.

Last edited by Randy Haskin on Sat May 24, 2008 10:49 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Bill Greenwood]

Now that's a mission that calls for some low level flying! It is good they keep it in such nice condition. I have been to ones in England they leave you pretty somber. We on WIX often write about war as if it is a video game for machines, ie Spit vs 109 or Sherman vs Tiger, etc. These places show how the score is really kept in the long run. It would be an honor to do a flight like that.

[Second Air Force]

Randy,

I for one am proud to have you representing the United States of America on Memorial Day.

Thank you for your service to our country.
Thank you to the boys you will be saluting.
Scott

[n5151ts]

thanks!

[michaelharadon]

Randy-I've lived in France for a number of years, and every conversation I've ever been a part of concerning World War Two had the American effort and sacrifices spoken of with respect, appreciation, and gratitude.

Those that see you tomorrow will also appreciate what you are doing, and so will I.

Michael

[Jack Cook]

Everytime Randy posts I think of this photo.

[Second Air Force]

Thanks for reposting that photo, Jack. Me too.

[Randy Haskin]

Just got back from the flyby.

Weather was nice.

I missed the run-in heading by about 5 degrees. The JTAC's "2 minutes out" call was a little late, causing me to make a 90 degree turn for timing. That turn about 12 miles away from the cemetary put me off axis enough that I couldn't get right back on centerline without everyone at the ceramony seeing.

Rather than show off to the crowd that I wasn't where I wanted to be with a big sweeping turn within visual range, I just accepted the slight off-axis run-in.

We hit the parade ground center about a second or two late, and slightly off heading.

The ground party apparently took photos, which I'll post when I get them.

[Robbie Stuart]

Thanks for your service to our country Randy. I'm sure your fly over looked great.
Robbie

[sagebrush]

Thank you Randy.
I know how good that makes you feel.

[Randy Haskin]

I don't know if "good" is the right adjective. Better words would be 'honored' and 'humbled'.

There are over 14,000 GIs buried there, all from WWI. All from a single battle.