Warbird Information Exchange

Congrats to the Yellow Rose Squadron!

From ANN:
Commemorative Air Force Squadron To Host Doolittle Raiders Reunion To Be Held In
April 2007

Aero-News has learned
the Yellow Rose B-25 Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF)
has been chosen to host the 65th annual reunion of the Doolittle
Tokyo Raiders, to be held April 18-21, 2007, in San Antonio, TX.
The selection of the host organization and location was voted on by
the Doolittle Raider board after reviewing presentations by four
organizations competing for the privilege.

The Doolittle Raid is the popular name given to a mission just
after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle led 16
crews who launched B-25 Mitchell bombers off the aircraft carrier
USS Hornet in a daring strike against the Japanese home islands.
After the raid, the Raiders continued in serving their country.

"Since many of the Doolittle Raiders received their flight
training at local military bases more than 64 years ago, this is a
tremendous honor for our organization and the city of San Antonio,"
said Yellow Rose Squadron leader Ron Dietes. "Two of our members
traveled to Dayton, Ohio, last April to make our proposal. Our
presentation emphasized the outstanding attractions and atmosphere
that San Antonio has to offer, and the special events we are
proposing for the reunion."

According to Dietes, any organization chosen to host the
Doolittle Raiders Reunion is required to partner with a local
charitable organization that will benefit from special fund-raising
activities during the reunion. The Yellow Rose Squadron chose Any
Baby Can of San Antonio, an organization that serves families who
have children facing serious chronic illness or disabilities in San
Antonio and 11 surrounding areas.

"We are delighted that Any Baby Can has agreed to partner with
the Yellow Rose Squadron," said Dietes. "Our members are working
together to plan one or more special fund-raising events."

Any Baby Can Development Coordinator Teresa Benke said, "Being
chosen to participate in the 65th Doolittle Reunion is an honor for
Any Baby Can. It will also be our 25th anniversary, and we are
looking forward to being a part of this memorable event."

Dietes said several other organization, including Randolph and
Lackland Air Force bases, the city of San Antonio, the chamber of
commerce, the convention and tourist bureau, Stinson Field Airport,
the Dadaelian chapters from San Antonio and Austin, the "Silent
Flyers" and the National Museum of the Pacific War in
Fredericksburg have all offered support for the reunion.

Also supporting the event are US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison,
US Congressmen Henry Bonilla and Ciro Rodriguez, Texas Senators
Carlos Uresti, Leticia VanDePutte and Jeff Wentworth, San Antonio
Mayor Phil Hardberger, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, County
Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, Judge Lori Massey, Judge Peter Sakai,
Bob Davis at USAA and the San Antonio Express News.

"We invite other groups and organizations, as well as current
and former service men and women, to contact us if they would like
to assist with the 65th Doolittle Reunion, including financial
contributions to help us make this a truly outstanding visit for
these national heroes," said Dietes.

The Yellow Rose Squadron committees have arranged accommodations
at the Double Tree Airport Hotel and are planning special events to
include book signings, memorabilia sales, media/sponsor
opportunities and a dinner/dance fundraiser.

Dietes said they will be inviting more than 16 B-25 bombers from
CAF units and private individuals throughout the United States to
fly in for the event and hope to have a B-25 flyover of San
Antonio, as well as a public access and media event at a static
B-25 location.
FMI: www.b-25yellowrose.com

The Yellow Rose was the only B-25 to be at & fly during the 50th Annv. as well. They invited a bunch of B-25's & thought that they would come for nothing. I was able to meet a lot of the Raiders then that are no longer with us, RIP. I still have my copy of the program which a lot of them signed for me.

Lynn

I wonder why the reunion was not chosen to be at Thunder Over Michigan. Seems like that would have been perfect.

Phantom Ace, from my understanding of the process, the Doolittle Raiders essentially puts the reunion out to bid. I know the Yellow Rose Squadron has been working on this since at least the Spring, probably well before the Thunder people had decided what their feature aircraft was going to be. Additionally, the Air Force history in San Antonio helps, I would think Dick Cole's (Doolittle's co-pilot) support of the Yellow Rose squadron would also help.

San Antonio has a long history of Doolittle Raiders residing or passing through here. As mentioned Mr. Cole lives here as well as Mr. Ozuk, and a few of the Raider widows. Hank Potter lived in Austin, Gen. Jones is in town from time to time, McCool lived here before he died, and Robert Gray is up the road a piece... I think it's a great place for a reunion, but I could be biased.

Ryan

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.