Warbird Information Exchange

Thought I might share this with the WIX crowd. It was a nice event.





German Order of Merit for Tim Chopp for Keeping Berlin Airlift Legacy Alive


Timothy Chopp, founder and president of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, was presented with the prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by Ambassador Klaus Scharioth on January 18, 2011 in the presence of family, friends, Airlift veterans and crew members of his "Spirit of Freedom", an historic Douglas C-54 converted into a flying Airlift museum.


In his speech, Ambassador Scharioth praised Chopp's enduring commitment to preserve for future generations the legacy of the Berlin Airlift which, through the heroic efforts of the United States and her allies, saved more than two million blockaded Berliners from hunger, cold, and communist rule. He pointed out that since the creation of the New Jersey-based Airlift Foundation in 1988, Tim Chopp and his Spirit of Freedom have brought the story of one of the greatest humanitarian relief efforts of all time and of the lasting bond of friendship it created between the American and German people to countless audiences all over the United States as well as in Europe.

Among the guests gathered for the occasion at the ambassador's residence in Washington was Colonel USAF (ret.) Gail Halvorsen, Airlift veteran and famed "candy bomber". Adding his words to Ambassador Scharioth’s, he reminded the audience of how this remarkable relief operation and the deeply felt gratitude of the Berliners forever changed the relations between the former enemies, and how the Berlin Airlift continues to stand out as a monument to the guiding principle of "service before self".

More on the story and IMAGES located here: http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/__pr/GIC/2011/01/19__TimChopp__PR.html

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Kevin Kearney
Vice President
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation


C-54D "Spirit of Freedom" 43-17228
C-97 "Angel of Deliverance" 52-2718 (painted as YC-97A 45-59595)
C-54E/R5D-4 "Spirit of Freedom" 44-9144 BuNo 90414 (wfu April/2020)
http://www.spiritoffreedom.org

I huge round of applause on a job well done from the guys in Statford CT. We had the opportunity to meet Tim and the Crew last year at the Airshow. Really great guys with one beautiful plane and flying museum. Glad to see proper recognition for all his efforts.

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Andrew King
Air Museum Director with no Museum to Direct
Open to Suggestions

Bravo Tim and gang...hope to see you with the SBD at Andrews & Monroe again this year...

BTW, my daughter is doing a report on the Berlin Airlift and hits your site quite often for info...

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Rauhbatz
Commemorative Air Force
CAF Ohio Wing/Airbase Georgia Member
PT-19/26, T-34 CAF Pilot


Favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars - A. St. Exupuery "friends are like trees...when they are gone we miss their shade"

Job well done Kevin and the rest of the BA gang...always nice to get some appreciative recognition!

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Congratulations!

Scott

Well done....quite an honor !!

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Great news! Congradulations to Tim and the entire crew. A well deserved award for a terrific bunch of guys with a mission!
Keep 'em Flying!
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

What an Honor!!!

From: All the folks with the Old Dominion Squadron, CAF
To: Tim Chopp and all his people

We take pride in all your efforts and a well deserved award!

Not bad for one of the usual suspects in our band of flight types. Ya done good, Buddy!

See ya around the pattern.

Bob
ODS Ops