TH AF NEWS Volume 20 Number 4 Voice of “The Mighty Eighth”
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December 2020 TH AF NEWS Volume 20 Number 4 Voice of “The Mighty Eighth” Wishing you love, peace, and joy now, and always! December 2020 th AF News Voice of “The Mighty Eighth” OFFICERS 8th AFHS National Office FRANCE President Jean-Paul Favrais Anne A Marek (Rick) 2021 Managing Director/Editor La Haye-Ouisais N. 85 2 Logan Ct Debra D Kujawa (Joseph) 35310 Breal Mendham, NJ 07945 68 Kimberlys Way France (201) 960-1783 cell Jasper, GA 30143-4769 [email protected] (973) 543-8832 home (912) 748-8884 [email protected] [email protected] CHIEF OF VETERANS Vice President INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS & EDUCATION Eleesa Faulkner 2022 REPRESENTATIVES 58 Drake St Joan Garber 46 Coquina Ridge Way Pueblo, CO 81005 UNITED KINGDOM Ormond Beach, FL 32174 (719) 252-9170 (386) 672-5359 [email protected] Jeff Hawley [email protected] 3 The Stiles Treasurer Godmanchester, CAM INSIDE THIS ISSUE Anne A Marek (Rick) 2021 PE29 2JF 2 Logan Ct United Kingdom Front cover: "Moonlight Serenade" by Mendham, NJ 07945 011 4477623 28575 artist, Roger Stuch, depicts a scene fondly (201) 960-1783 cell [email protected] remembered by airmen: dancing away the (973) 543-8832 home hours between missions with a beautiful local girl. [email protected] Paul Bellamy 6 Station Road Contacts ................................................ 2 Secretary Holme, PTE Editor’s Notes ...................................... 3 L. Travis Chapin (Ginny) 2023 PE7 3PH President’s Briefing .................................. 4 17303 Euler Road United Kingdom Treasurer’s Ledger .................................... 5 Noteworthy ............................................... 6 Bowling Green, OH 43402 011 4477623 28575 News From Across the Pond .............7-11 (419) 575-4337 [email protected] [email protected] Hard Work, Determination .............12-13 Black Cat ............................................14-15 John P Gilbert Chapter News ....................................16-19 Director: Glen Ann Virtual Reunion ................................20-23 Dr Vivian Rogers-Price (Mike) 2021 42 Chapel Street, Cawston TAPS ...................................................24-30 117 Charlton Rd Norwich, Norfolk How About It? ........................................ 31 Rincon, GA 31326 NR10 4BG (912) 667-4478 cell United Kingdom (912) 988-1837 office 011 4416038 71124 The 8Th A F News [email protected] [email protected] The Eighth Air Force News is dedicated to the memory of Lt. Col. John H. Woolnough, founder of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society in 1975, Chapter/Unit Liaison BELGIUM and Editor of the “News” for sixteen years. It is Joseph P Keeley (Andrea) published quarterly and is the official news maga- 1335 Belmont Ave Edouard Renière zine of the Society, a 501(c)3. The 8th A F News North Haledon, NJ 07508-2842 is distributed to members of the Society and is not Avenue Henry Dunant 5--Bte 25 for public sale. (973) 495-3404 cell 1140 Brussels Belgium (973) 423-4854 home [email protected] Home offices are located at: [email protected] 68 Kimberlys Way Jasper, GA 30143-4769 2 www.8thafhs.org December 2020 (20-4) Editor’s Notes hen Franklin Delano I have found they all have in com- fighters. They Roosevelt first became mon, was a shared experience of fear. worked non- Wpresident in 1933, he The immortal John Wayne para- stop fixing delivered what was to become one of phrased FDR when he remarked, battle-dam- the most famous speeches in history. “Courage is saddling up anyway.” aged planes His words continue to resonate even In my opinion, that is what makes the and kept them today, with both comfort and power Greatest Generation, truly great. in the air. as he said, “…So, first of all, let me The attack on Pearl Harbor ignited a They watched their best friends die assert my firm belief that the only spark of patriotism in our country— and prayed they would make it home. thing we have to fear is...fear itself even among a population still healing And they did it day, after day, after — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified from economic recession and unem- day… terror which paralyzes needed efforts ployment. Those who made it home never for- to convert retreat into advance. In Young boys—many lying about got any of what they experienced, yet every dark hour of our national life a their age—hurried to enlist in the most have never said a word. leadership of frankness and of vigor war effort. These were not young I’ve never known a veteran who has met with that understanding and men—they were teenagers leaving wanted to be referred to as a ‘hero’. support of the people themselves football fields and corn fields for They will quickly remind you, the which is essential to victory. And I East Anglian farms turned air bases. “…real heroes are the ones who am convinced that you will again These were children who had never never made it back.” give that support to leadership in ventured away from home, and they But there is something to be said these critical days…” were suddenly half a world away. about the ones who “…saddled up Fear. They were determined to save the anyway.” Having had the privilege of getting world. My love and prayers to all of you! to know—and love—so many WWII And they did. veterans over the years, the one thing They climbed into bombers and Deb Please JOIN the Eighth Air Force Historical Society TODAY!!! First Name:_____________________________Middle Initial:__________Last Name:__________________________________ Address:____________________________________City:____________________________State/County:_________________ Zip/Postal Code:________________Country:___________Email:__________________________________________________ Phone:__________________________________8th Affiliation/Interest [optional]:____________________________________ Membership Annual Dues: $40 or £30 GBP Payment: Check /Credit Card #_______________________________________Exp. Date:___________Amount:___________ Visa, MasterCard, or American Express ONLY--A $2.00 processing fee will be added to all credit card purchases! PayPal: [email protected] By renewing or requesting membership in the 8th Air Force Historical Society, I hereby grant permission for the Society to hold and maintain my information as contained herein, indefinitely, with the stipulation that my information not be shared nor be made public to any other entity without my expressed written permission. US Residents PLEASE mail to: UK/European Residents PLEASE mail to: 8th AFHS, 68 Kimberlys Way, Jasper, GA 30143-4769 Jeff Hawley, 3 The Stiles, Godmanchester, CAM PE29 2JF (912) 748-8884 014804 13503 JOIN ONLINE: www.8thAFHS.org December 2020 (20-4) www.8thafhs.org 3 President’s briefing Anne Marek President & Treasurer reetings everyone! wish us to address. Our contact information appears The 8th Air Force Historical Society’s first on page 2 of AF News. Our lines of communication “Virtual” 46th Annual Reunion on October are always open, and our motto is “transparency” in G24, 2020, was an extremely all our activities. successful webinar. I hope Thank you all for your most of you were able to support of our Officers, tune in on Zoom for many of Directors and Advisors. It is our speakers, programs and greatly appreciated. WWII veterans’ panel. We were also able to stream live Virtual: I am also including the on Facebook. It was a global occurring or existing Financial Statements end- event with people watching ing October, 2020, for your information. This includes in England, Europe, and online the Society’s Profit and Loss Hawaii. Facebook report- Statement and Statement of ed that 13,800 viewed our Financial Position. In exam- webinar and 8,200 engaged ining these reports, you will by asking questions or in notice that our investment some way posting a message. All in all, a very suc- portfolio is still growing since my last report to you cessful program hosted by Debra, our Managing in September. This is very encouraging, and I am Director. If you missed it, you can go to our pleased to be able to report this to all of you. Our investment portfolio and the income it generates Facebook page, click on Media then Videos and continues not be used to fund the Society’s adminis- watch it in its entirety. It will also be uploaded to trative expenses and daily operating costs. our website. You’ll enjoy it. Take a look. Our financial advisor, Mr. Gavin Natelli, calls During these difficult times, your Board of me with monthly updates on our financial position. Directors is still remaining active and communi- He continues to make sound decisions as to what cating through Skype. Our last meeting was in late equities we should purchase to continually grow our October after our virtual reunion. We have created account. an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee comprised of Steve As a member you can personally help bring rev- enue into the Society by registering with Amazon Snyder and Paul Tibbets IV. They are actively work- Smiles when shopping on line. It’s quick and easy ing on membership recruitment and retention and to do. So far this year, Amazon Smiles has generat- communicating with our bomb groups and chapters. ed $114.03. While this is not a large amount, it does Look for more to come in the next several months. help. Thank you all for your participation. You can Please reach out to me, Debra, or any of the other find the link on page 6 of the Magazine. Board members should you have any matter you 4 www.8thafhs.org December 2020 (20-4) Treasurer’s ledger Respectfully submitted, Anne A. Marek President and Treasurer, 8th AFHS If any of you have any questions regarding any of our financial statements, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. My contact information is on p. 2 of every issue of the 8th A F News magazine. Remember, “Our focus is on our veterans, preserving their legacy, and keeping the memories alive!” Anne 9:19 AM The Eighth Air Force Historical Society 11/15/20 Statement of Financial Position Accrual Basis As of October 31, 2020 Oct 31, 20 ASSETS Current Assets Checking/Savings 1017 · Oppenheimer & Co 225,999.03 1040 · Bank of America Checking Acct.