If you found out ...
Sat May 23, 2009 10:56 pm
You had a connection to a CURRENTLY FLYING warbird ... What would you like to have as a momento? ... A piece of it?, A ride in it?, A photo next to it? the thought of it being a part of your family?, the fact it's simply around? .... Other than owning it, what would satify you? ... I'm off to Watsonville, CA tomorrow to see the CAF hellcat. I have mixed feelings, but I'm also excited to see her again. I've seen her many times before I knew my dad may have had anything to do with her. I'm going to take some photos for my own piece of mind ... I hope all goes well ... I'll post photos for anyone who may have an interest.
Mark
Mark
Sat May 23, 2009 11:14 pm
that is 1 tough question, but i'm sure you'll find satisfaction in some way. bottom line..... enjoy the experience & fill us in!!
Sat May 23, 2009 11:29 pm
Thx Tom, I knew from you I would get a comforting response. I'm a bit perplexed ... But Knowing it's "A" hellcat, and maybe not "THE" Hellcat, will work for me.
Sat May 23, 2009 11:55 pm
stand under the trailing edge of the cowl while wearing a white shirt, you will then have a momento that will never come out.
Sun May 24, 2009 12:15 am
Hellcat wrote:Thx Tom, I knew from you I would get a comforting response. I'm a bit perplexed ... But Knowing it's "A" hellcat, and maybe not "THE" Hellcat, will work for me.
thanks for the kind comment & enjoy a landmark day none the less!!
Sun May 24, 2009 6:01 am
why not make a financial contribution towards keeping the airplane flying in your fathers memory. You could use some of the money that was gained by selling the swift. everybody ought to be able to agree to that.
Sun May 24, 2009 12:09 pm
EA .. yes indeed that has already been done. I'm sure the CAF is quite happy with my contribution. ... I'm not interested in being a member of the CAF ... but I do have an interest in supporting things I have an interest in. My reason for not wanting to become a member of the CAF is not because of anything negative, it's simply because I have no time to support the CAF in a way that would satisfy me ... I respect the CAF and what they are all about. No problems at all. I'll continue to support their Hellcat in my own way ... 
Sun May 24, 2009 1:41 pm
I'm that way with the Martin Mars. My Dad worked on those planes at the plant in Baltimore. Although I don't have a piece of any of them, I do have a photo taken in the cockpit of the Hawaii Mars in 2004. I had a special feeling when I walked around in that plane, knowing that my dad probably walked the same places 60+ years before. He passed away in 2002, and I used these moments to remember him.
It's not about me, it's about them
Sun May 24, 2009 1:46 pm
On this day before Memorial Day, I try to remind myself about the real reasons I own a WWII aircraft. Certainly I enjoy flying it and but even if I didn't own it and fly it, I'd still be helping out on other ones to keep the ideals which originally made them fly continue to be widespread and well known. My aircraft was in Europe, where my Uncle Steve is still serving in Lorraine Cemetary, and where my Uncle Frank got a Bronze Star for walking into a field with Germans and Americans still firing to care for both who were wounded. Tomorrow, I'm going to pay my respects to an ill paratrooper nicknamed "Baseplate" who jumped a mortar baseplate into Southern France, and will then go to the grave of Col Robert M. Miller, who until the day he died, spoke of the men he led from D-Day until he was wounded at ST Lo.
I cherish every moment I get to spend with those who yet live and gratefully appreciate the time spent with those who don't live any more. They are regular people most of whom did their best and these aircraft are mementos which will hopefully carry and spread their former operators' message of service and devotion to duty and ideals higher than themselves. That is the only memento worth keeping- what they did and said and believed in will hopefully be here much longer than their or our earthly remains. So as I said in my title, it's not about me; It's about them.
Happy Memorial Day, a day early.
I cherish every moment I get to spend with those who yet live and gratefully appreciate the time spent with those who don't live any more. They are regular people most of whom did their best and these aircraft are mementos which will hopefully carry and spread their former operators' message of service and devotion to duty and ideals higher than themselves. That is the only memento worth keeping- what they did and said and believed in will hopefully be here much longer than their or our earthly remains. So as I said in my title, it's not about me; It's about them.
Happy Memorial Day, a day early.
Sun May 24, 2009 10:05 pm
Very, very cool post, Forgotten Field. Thanks.
Sun May 24, 2009 10:42 pm
FF you couldn't have said it better, I too have an uncle Pat that is still serving at Arlington National Cemetary along with his comrads.
I know the photo is probably 'cheesy' but I spent the day with my dad and his old "70222' in Watsonville, CA today. I was mostly alone with the two of them and I must have took a hundred photos. .... I had a great day ... Thx CAF for allowing me some private time with your Hellcat, much appreciated
Happy Memorial day tomorrow from my dad, my sisters, myself .... and 'old 70222' .... It seems Memorial day is a date that most here on WIX have deep emotions and connections to. I'm grateful for that ...
I know the photo is probably 'cheesy' but I spent the day with my dad and his old "70222' in Watsonville, CA today. I was mostly alone with the two of them and I must have took a hundred photos. .... I had a great day ... Thx CAF for allowing me some private time with your Hellcat, much appreciated
Happy Memorial day tomorrow from my dad, my sisters, myself .... and 'old 70222' .... It seems Memorial day is a date that most here on WIX have deep emotions and connections to. I'm grateful for that ...