FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: The Berlin Airlift continued ~ July 14, 2008

Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World | StarCMC and Chaplain Staneglass in honor of Chaplain Larry Blum, now home in heaven

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

60th Anniversary of the
Berlin Airlift
Part 1
All info and photos from this website.

           

June 30 was the 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, a subject which we covered in detail in December 2007 in these threads:

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

We're going to look at a few other stories surrounding this heroic event over the next few weeks ~ thanks for the heads up on this SandRat!  

Child of Berlin Airlift Tells Her Story

By Karl Weisel Special to American Forces Press Service

WIESBADEN, Germany, June 25, 2008 – A storybook came alive for German and American youth here when the tale's lead character appeared in person.

After having collaborated on a video project for the children's story, "Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot," in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, students from Aukamm and Hainerberg elementary schools on U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden and the nearby Nauheim Grundschule were treated to a visit by the book's real-life title character.

"I'm of course much older than years ago," said Mercedes Wild with a smile as she described what it was like to be a 7-year-old child in post-war Berlin during the Soviet blockade from June 1948 to May 1949.

"We had little to eat," Wild told her young audience, explaining that the western section of Berlin had very little farmland. And though the Soviets tried to entice Berliners over to the eastern side with promises of food, those in the west knew better than to sacrifice their freedom.

When Allied airplanes began delivering coal, food and other supplies, Wild said she was terrified bombs would once again fall on her city. "I asked my grandmother if we should go downstairs in the cellar once more, but she told me this time the planes were bringing food and coal."

Wild and her husband, Peter, described the brutal winter of 1948-1949.

"We had no good clothes, no shoes," she remembers. "But we didn't fear the cold; we feared the Russians."

When a plane crashed barely 200 meters from her house, killing the two pilots, Wild recalled everything in sight being coated in white flour, adding that as a child her thoughts were: "It might have been our house that the plane hit."

And she thinks back to "being very sleepy in the mornings because of the noise of the airplanes in the night."

Peter told the German and American students that the flights between Berlin and other cities in Germany were only the tip of the iceberg.

"The real airlift stretched all across the United States and the Atlantic Ocean, using airplanes, trains, trucks and ships," he said, describing the incredible logistical effort involved in moving massive quantities of supplies to Berlin.

He also described the phenomenal achievement of building Berlin's Tegel Airport from scratch as the airlift was in progress. "Ten thousand women built a new airport in three months," he said.

As recounted in the story by author Margot Theis Raven, a young Mercedes watched as planes flew overhead, wishing that one day the tiny parachutes bearing chocolate would find their way into her hands. After completing a suggestion by her grandmother to write the "candy bomber," Lt. Gail Halvorsen, Wild eventually received a response explaining the pilot was unable to spot her house and her white chicken from the air. Tucked in the envelope was peppermint gum. Although she gave away the treat, having never before tasted anything like it, "The most important thing for me was this letter. . Chocolate and chewing gum were unknown to us."

Having lost her father during World War II, Wild said, she looked to Halvorsen as a surrogate dad.

"My father was also a pilot in World War II, and he [went missing] early in the war. My mother and I didn't know what happened to him. The chocolate uncle became a symbol of my father."

In the early 1970s, when Halvorsen was visiting Berlin, Peter approached the American with the treasured letter he had written to Wild more than two decades earlier. The meeting evolved into a long-term friendship with the Halvorsen and Wild families that continues today.

And it grew into a partnership program between the Gottfried Keller Gymnasium, where Peter taught in Berlin, and Provo High School, near Halvorsen's home in Utah.

The Wilds also explained to the children how they learned "American, not English" after the war by listening to American Forces Network Radio. "The best teacher for German kids to learn [the vernacular] was AFN," Peter recalled.

In 1997, during the 50th anniversary of the airlift at Templehof Airport in Berlin, Wild was invited on stage alongside Halvorsen and President Bill Clinton, where she had "the honor to say thank you on behalf of the people of Berlin."

"Without the help of the Americans [and the Allies], I wouldn't be here," Wild said. "I wouldn't be alive to enjoy the freedom you brought to us Germans."

Mercedes Wild, along with Gail Halvorsen and other airlift veterans, will be on hand to meet visitors during the Wiesbaden Army Airfield open house June 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(Karl Weisel works in the U.S Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs Office.)

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Please note: The author of the Hall of Heroes is StarCMC. Please thank her for today’s thread.

The Berlin Airlift continued

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

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Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
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We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Honoring Our Heroes

AbnSarge USA
Allegra
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
Capt Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
Capt Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Chuck USA (RightOnline)
Clarinet_King USAF (NerdDad/CDBear)
Col Mike (gpapa)
CMS USA
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
Ev USA (Mozie)
Fred (DocRock)
GulfWar1Vet USA
IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
Jade Falcon USN
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
KB4W USAF (arbee4bush)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Lt David (Coldwater Creek)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
Sgt Dusty USA (MountainDad)
Sgt Sean Reed (preed)
Sgt Spencer USA (grame)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
txradioguy USA
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
William USA (jackv)

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

BLESS THIS HOUSE

 Bless this house O Lord we pray; Make it safe by night and day; 
Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall, Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within, keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we May dwell O Lord with thee. 

(Click on graphics for music)

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Night Owl!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Mercedes Wild - subject of the children's book, "Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot" - signs books at Aukamm Elementary School on U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Germany. U.S. Army photo by Karl Weisel

[Kathy in Alaska]

Aloha, Hawaii...how is your volcano doing? How are son and the grandbabies?

[MEG33]

To Our Veterans, Our Military And Their
Families


~Thank You For Serving Our Country~

[SandRat]

In.

[SandRat]

Just had thunder and lightning and heavy hard rain. Still drizzling now and the thunder and lightning has abated.

[AZamericonnie]

Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen
at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.

~Tribute to Our Troops~

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers needed for Chaplain (LTC) Larry Blum

txradioguy served with him in Iraq.

Brigade Chaplain 3rd Bde 1st Armored Division
Chaplain Blum has now gone home.

Please visit the family site at CaringBridge

Dearest Friends and Family,

It is with a mixture of my greatest sorrow, to date, and dad’s ultimate joy that I give this message.

Dad, a faithful and steadfast servant of Jesus Christ, went home to his Lord and Savior, this afternoon.

I still can’t begin to express the depth of our gratefulness to all of you for the devotion of your constant faithfulness and prayers during dad’s journey to Jesus. I know that you will continue to be in prayer for all the family that is still here missing him so terribly, as we realize several of you join us in this sorrow. It is an emptiness that nothing on earth will ever fill and only God can get us through.

Abide With Me

[BIGLOOK]

The recent Kilauea eruption just had its 25th anniversary.....a lava tube blew its top cover and we had aerial fireworks again. Madame Pele sends her regards....actually she sent you your very own active volcano.

You're lucky having a small volcano in a big state whereas we have a big volcano in a small state.

My son has been a busy bee with his new classes and the kids.

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

July 14, 2008

Living Sacrifice

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Romans 12:1-8

Present your bodies a living sacrifice. —Romans 12:1

When my son Steve left home in the summer of 2006 to join the US Navy, he knew the gravity of his decision. He understood that once he walked onto that naval base for boot camp, he was giving up everything a teenager lives for. He was leaving behind his freedom, his guitars, his music, and his girlfriend. He surrendered the right to make his own choices and to do what he wanted to do. He said, in effect, “I am making myself a living sacrifice. I no longer do things for me; I do them for the service of my country.”

The sacrifice Steve and thousands of others make when they enter the military service reminds me of what the apostle Paul taught in Romans 12:1. In that passage, he urged us “to present [our] bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” This means we are to give up our selfish ways and surrender ourselves completely to God. We are to seek to be “holy” in all we do—to have a godly character (1 Peter 1:16), which is acceptable to God.

It wasn’t easy for Steve, who cherished self-determination, to give it all up for the Navy. But he did it. And it isn’t easy for us to completely surrender our will to God. How can you and I be a living sacrifice for God today?

Here is my heart, Lord Jesus,
I have but one for Thee;
Oh, let my heart be Thine alone,
Thy will be done in me. —Mick

A life given fully to God is at the heart of true sacrifice.

Bible in One Year: Ezra 4–6; Proverbs 5:15-23

[AZamericonnie]

Thank you Starlette for this evenings thread & to you Ma for posting it.

Rest in Peace Chaplain (LTC) Larry Blum, prayers of comfort for his family & all who knew & loved him

[SandRat]

Luk 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house

Jhn 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Brigade Chaplain 3rd Bde 1st Armored Division
Chaplain Blum has now gone home.

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP Chaplain (LTC) Larry Blum

Amazing Grace

[Tanniker Smith]

Good evening, Kathy!

Good evening, all!

[SandRat]

Brigade Chaplain 3rd Bde 1st Armored Division
Chaplain Blum has now gone home.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Meg...((HUGS))...thanks for helping honor our troops.

[MEG33]

God Rest Chaplain Larry Blum.
May God comfort all who mourn.

[ConorMacNessa]

My condolences, Kathy. Prayers continue.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, TS....welcome to Monday (almost). I’m needing another day off. How’s the pool? Did you use it this weekend?

[Kathy in Alaska]

And Hawaii is today's recipient of the gold!!

[txradioguy]

Thank you everyone for all of the kind words and prayers for Chaplain Blum.

He was a very very good man. Everyone who knew him has one memory that stands out all good of course, from his humorous short story to begin the morning briefings to myself either gunning for or driving for hi on our sunday missions to BIAP.

I’m trying not to be sad because I know that he’s in a better place and finally with the one to whom he prayed to daily to watch over us while we were in Iraq.

But it feels like losing a member of my family. And I know he’ll be glad to see some other members of the Bulldog Brigade who have left us...as they will be happy to welcome him as well.

God bless you Chaplain Blum.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And the silver recipient is....Meg!!

[MEG33]

My great pleasure, Kathy. Thank you for posting the thread..I remember the Berlin Airlift.

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Lord, Please Bless Our Troops they're fighting for our Freedom.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

Prayers going up.

[eyedigress]

May GOD reward him abundantly in Heaven for the life he lived and provide comfort to his family and friends during this trying time. AMEN

[Tanniker Smith]

Yes, the pool got some workout this weekend ... taking our mind off some other expenses that sprung up this weekend...

A few days ago, my wife was in the yard and casually glanced up, and then called me out, and pointed and asked, "Is that a plant growing out of our chimney?"

No. Not a plant ...

... more like a small tree. If the guy hadn't ripped it down now (and he had to struggle), it probably would've shot up another two feet really quickly.

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha TRG!

Losses are learning experiences. We learn to cherish the one who has gone before more and remember all the good he'd passed on to us while with us. Chaplain Blum lives in you. His virtue succeeds his life.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And today's bronze recipient...is Sand!

[StarCMC]

Thank you Kathy! Prayers continuing for the family of Chaplain Blum.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."---Timothy

[StarCMC]

*HUG*

[MEG33]

Thank you!

I lost internet for awhile..We are having a bit of welcome rain.

I am unplugging my computer.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Looking out the window I see a damp street....not enough for me to hear it, but a little rain nonetheless. And you had thunder and lightning. I love a good thunder storm, but they are rare here.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, AZ, for the red, white, and blue tribute.

[laurenmarlowe]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[PAR35]

I can’t be positive from the picture, but it looks like Poke Sallat. It can be fatal if consumed without proper preparation, even moreso when the stem has gone red. Looks like it has berries on it. If you had let them mature to purple, you could have used them for dye.

Be careful when handling it - the toxins can be absorbed through the skin - and don’t burn it.

[laurenmarlowe]

God bless you Chaplain Blum, thank you for serving our Country, and serving our Lord.

Prayers continue for his family for their loss. May the Grace of God see them through.

[Tanniker Smith]

THanks for the warning. According to the descriptions that I just read online, it looks like I’m a little too far north for it to be that. Granted, the seed was probably dropped in bird poop, but that would’ve been one heck of a flight!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thanks for tonites’ thread Star and Ma!
Good evening everyone!
Hugs alla round!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Chaplain Staneglass, for helping Star with today's Hall of Heroes: The Berlin Airlift

[mylife]

Howd them ribs work out? Should Buck be worried?

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Them ribs were GREAT!!
Buck, you mean Bucks BBQ?
LOL
Naw!

[mylife]

LoL!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Rest in peace Chaplain (LTC) Larry Blum ,
and may God welcome you home.
Sincere sympathy to his family and to txradioguy.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

It was really windy up here today.
I thought it was gonna blow the fire out!
LOL

[mylife]

RIP LTC Blum