1990 Vol. 29, No. 2 SECOND AIR DIVISION ASSOCIATION Summer Why Burn the Stars and Stripes? by Sgt. Bruce Forbes • Submitted by Jack Ilfrey Reprinted with permission from King's Chile Remembered, Winter 1989-90 I stand Why burn me? What have I done to be But I have also led in peace. My stripes unknown to the rest of the world. allows you to burn put to death? are a reminder to the world that they can in for the very liberty that me. Yes, I have led people into battle. I did fact live in peace as separate, yet United that is, in turn, not order them there, but I went to guide, States. My stars are a new constellation in I stand for a government that support, and represent them. I have been the sky, guiding all who yearn for freedom governed by the people; a government and for the held by one of my children who marched and equality to these shores. is of the people, by the people, that must listen into the fire, the destruction, and the very Missionaries, peace workers, and other people. It is a government hell of war. Above the death and smoke, I ambassadors carry me around the world, to and obey the people. have stood tall, flying as an ensign for those and wherever I go, people follow; they I stand for the people, and in so doing I who fought against tyranny and hatred. know those who bear me also bear that stand with the people. I stand over the where I flew when the British attacked — all which I stand for. parks and playgrounds — sites on night I flew, marking where those who children can play free from Cossacks for new fought for freedom stood. And when the programs or slavedrivers searching morning came, I was still there. stock. farms, I was at Gettysburg, where my sons I fly above the offices, factories, the fought each other hand-to-hand; senseless and shops of the nation, reminding hatred fueling them on. I still fly there, world that here mankind is free to buy or marking the site as a shrine and reminding sell, to spend or save, and to become all he living that their death was not in vain. they can achieve by the sweat of their own I still fly at Pearl Harbor, and not at half- brow. mast. There, an enemy thought my children And, I fly at our ports. Those who lived would falter. But they were wrong. Today, with war, with hatred, with oppression, see with the children of the dead come to look and me as a sign of a better life and flock my shadov. be reminded that these heroes died that their children to the light of of freedom might live on. They join my family and the circle grows larger. My sister with the torch has held her vigil, freedom the of watching over the ocean for our children to In every American heart beats song return from war. I was there, flying from freedom. But sometimes the child does not the highest mast, telling her, "Here are our What do I stand for? How can you ask, understand the words. The American sky, I children, here are those who fought for the you who have lived so long under my stars? parent then points to the where that freedom of mankind." I am a declaration of Independence. I am unfold in the breeze, and tells the child them — that where I go I stood erect and proud, representing all independence from fear, from tyranny, I will always lead and dignity. who love freedom, as my children who were from slavery. I am a visual reminder that they will find freedom prisoners of war were returned to their "...all men are created equal..." I am freedom. I am the heart of every loved ones. I represent a constitution; a most unique American. I am the heart and soul of I have covered the bodies of those who document. It is a contract — a covenant — America. me gave their lives that we might be free. As wherein the people allow a few to govern When tyrants see my children burning and soul of they were returned to grieving families, I the many. they smile, for they see the heart was a reminder of the freedom and truths I stand for the Bill of Rights that gave America dying. which their children died to uphold. those people a margin of civil liberty still Why burn me? Second Air Division Association President's Message Eighth Air Force by Frank DiMola HONORARY PRESIDENT It has been a most exciting, although short, term of JORDAN UTTAL 7824 Meadow Park Drive, Apt. 101, Dallas, TX 75230 office, serving you as President of the Association. I . 0 0 have noticed how wonderful it was to see how everyone OFFICERS works, so concerned, and so diligent, to keep the high President FRANCIS DiMOLA 390 Madison Avenue, New Milford, NJ 07646 status of the Second Air Division Association as one of Executive Vice President RICHARD KENNEDY the outstanding veterans' associations. P.O. Box 337, Malvern, PA 19355 Vice President It was exciting to see and get to know all the Group Membership EVELYN COHEN Apt. 06-410 Delaire Landing Road Vice Presidents who are looking for the "lost souls." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19114 Even now, after so many years since our Association _ Vice President .'1";S*•\\, Journal WILLIAM G. ROBERTIE was first founded, our membership is constantly P.O. Box 627, Ipswich, Mass. 01938 growing. As a past Group Vice President, I know how Treasurer DEAN MOYER again so many men who hadn't seen each other since the war. 549 East Main St., Evans City, Pa 16033 exciting it was to bring together Secretary DAVID G. PATTERSON We are approaching the 50th anniversary of the nation's entry into World War II. There 28 Squire Court, Alamo, Calif. 94507 the men and American Representative will be a great many tributes, speeches, parades and displays of gratitude to Board of Governors E BUD KOORNDYK women who fought for freedom over tyranny around the globe in the years between 1939 5184 N. Quail Crest Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49546 and 1945. World War II claimed the lives of over 400,000 Americans and profoundly GROUP VICE PRESIDENTS affected the way we live today. Headquarters DOROTHY KROGMANN 437 Coral Drive, Melbourne, FL 32901 In Washington, D.C. there is a very moving tribute in the Iwo Jima Memorial to the 44th BG H C (Pete) HENRY Marine Corps of WWII. Several branches are also honored with individual monuments, 164B Portland Lane, Jamesburg, NJ 08831 There are U.S. National Cemeteries 93rd BG FLOYD MABEE along Memorial Drive to Arlington National Cemetery. 28 Hillside Ave., Dover, NJ 07801 and Memorials in such faraway places as England, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and 389th BG LLOYD E. WEST nation's capital, where all WWII veterans can Box 256, Rush Center, KS 67575 so on. Yet there exists no one place in the 392nd BG JOHN B. CONRAD bring their children and grandchildren and say, "Here is the WWII Veterans Memorial. 2981 Four Pines, #1, Lexington. KY 40502 These are the reasons for which that war was fought." 445th BG CHARLES L. WALKER 1530 S. Pomona 8-32, Fullerton, CA 92632 After reading the article about this matter, written by Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a bill is being 446th WILLIAM F. DAVENPORT pay 13382 Wheeler Place, Santa Ana, CA 92705 proposed in Congress, HR 2807, to establish a national WWII memorial which would 448th BG GAIL IRISH tribute to the sacrifice of WWII veterans. I suggest that those in favor of this tribute, write 711 Lisbon Avenue, Rio Rancho, NM 87214 and voice your approval on HR 2807. 453rd BG MILTON R. STOKES your local congressperson P.O. Box 64, Westtown, PA 19395 The Library Memorial Drive is still in search of additional funds. Our objective is, of 458th BG E A ROKICKI 365 Mae Rd., Glen Burnie, MD 21061 course, $500,000 and we have a bit to go. I know that the Group Vice Presidents have done 466th BG ELWOOD NOTHSTEIN an outstanding job appealing to all their members. So, do not let them down. Please make 40 Meadow Dr., Spencerport, NY 14559 reported to me and it is far short of what we 467th BG JACK STEVENS your contribution now. The latest figure was 3526 Larga Circle, San Diego, CA 92110 expected at this time. 489th BG JAMES DAVIS 2519 Shell, Midland, TX 79705 This will be my last report as your President. I wish to thank all of you who have made my 491st BG HAROLD FRITZLER term of office a pleasant one. No matter who I have called for assistance or for information 1130 S.W. Chestnut Drive, Portland, OR 97219 492nd BG E W (Bill)CLAREY on the Association, none of you have failed me. It is a wonderful veterans' organization and 2015 Victoria Court, Los Altos, Calif. 94022 the best in the land. We have a beautiful living Memorial in Norwich which all of you have helped to build and maintain for a lifetime. Once again, Elizabeth and I want to thank all of HERITAGE LEAGUE President MRS. KURT (VICKI) WARNING you from the bottom of our hearts, and God bless all of you. See you in Norwich. 2736A N. Dayton, Chicago. IL 60614 _ JOURNAL Editor WILLIAM G. ROBEFiTIE P.O. Box 627, Ipswich, Mass. 01938 Folded Wings DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FREDERICK MEYER 44th 446th 466th 106 Nottoway Drive, Penllyn, PA 19422 Clement J.