So the Doolittle Raiders 1896 Hennessey has been opened...

[turret nate]

I enjoyed the reading of the night watchman's report from the first reunion in Florida.

[Noha307]

One of my questions last night, as I watched the ceremony feed online was this...

What happened with the rest of the bottle? I MOST sincerely hope that some was sent to Nashville for Robert Hite to taste, but that left a lot.

I MOST sincerely hope that it wasn't given to 'dignitaries' attending the event. They didn't earn it. You don't get 'elected' to partake of such a rare thing.

I suppose my best-case scenario would be that it was shared among the families of the departed Raiders in attendance, as they had more standing with it than political types.

I also would have been alright with the Hennessey rep getting a sample if there was legitimate research they wanted to do with it since in his speech, he mentioned that it was an unusual bottle.

My family and I wondered the same thing. I too also hoped that it wasn't given to the dignitaries and was only shared among the families. I even had the same thought about allowing Hennessy to take a sample. The only thing I have to add was that I hoped the honorary raiders got a taste as well.

I think it'd been appropriate to re-cork or re-seal the bottle and return it to the display where it will continue to tell the story once all the goblets are turned.

It was awfully generous of the Raiders to share their toast with the public. While I enjoyed watching the moment as much as any aviation buff, I couldn't help but think that, what probably should have been a very private moment, was made into a scripted public event. I would assume that the three men had an opportunity to visit quietly - but this was a big deal for them and it was not lost on me that their stereotypical unselfishness carried right on through with this toast. God Bless the Raiders!

After they went through all the suggestions noted above, I hope they did exactly that. I had the same feeling about it turned into a "scripted public event".

Somehow I always imagined the remaining Raiders opening the bottle and toasting their comrades quietly, without fanfare, in a private setting (just them)...without the rest of us even knowing it was happening...

This is how I always imagined it as well; and in a way, it's how I wish it would have happened...

Thanks for providing the time mark for the cognac comments. It would be nice to think that the bottle stolen in 1971 was a dummy and that may help explain Doolittle's supposedly cavalier attitude toward the theft. The story goes on that the stolen bottle was replaced by another 1896 vintage, but not the "extra special" variety. Maybe some photos will surface of the various bottles - as they say "it is what it is" but I am curious to know what really happened. The toast itself could have been made with tap water for all I care; it was great seeing Cole, Saylor, and Thatcher together again. Heroes all.

When they revealed that the original had been kept secret, I immediately thought of the '71 Academy Incident (actually, maybe I was already thinking of it) and was amazed how prescient Doolittle had been.

I find it funny and interesting that all of us had the same questions, feelings and thoughts about the ceremony. I guess great minds think alike.

In case anyone missed the bottle opening ceremony, here's a link to the video: Doolittle Raiders Final Toast (I didn't notice that someone had posted another link to the video until I started writing this post, but I figured I'll leave this in as it seems a bit more obvious than the first link.)

[fotobass]

With all the smart connected people on this board, I'm surprised no one's come up with an answer to this. Maybe I'll call the museum tomorrow.