FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Berlin Airlift, Part 4: The Legacy ~ December 24, 2012

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[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 ~

Part 4, The Legecy
All info and photos from this website.

Link to Part 1
Link to Part 2
Link to Part 3

           

THE AIRLIFT'S LEGACY
 

The most obvious result of this confrontation was the 40-year Cold War with the Soviet Union, which ebbed with the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts.  The US also forged a newfound friendship with Germany, its former foe, and established the Federal Republic of Germany as a result.  In addition, the North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) was formed as a result of the crisis. 

Less politically, our aircraft and airway system we enjoy today was developed and perfected as a result of the Berlin Airlift.  Ground Controlled Approach or GCA was greatly improved as a necessity for the aircraft to land in Berlin, and our air traffic control system is a direct development of that technology.  Loading procedures and maintenance procedures are greatly improved as a result, too.

More importantly, the Berlin Airlift demonstrated the military need for Air Transport in addition to Bombers and Fighters.  A result is the Air Mobility Command and aircraft like the C-141 Starlifter, the C-130 Hercules, the C-5 Galaxy, and our newest transport, the C-17 Globemaster III. 

All of these political and logistical ideas came as a result of the resolve of the US, Great Britain, France, and Germany to resist totalitarian tactics and wage a battle of air transport.  This battle saved over 2.5 million people without firing a single shot.  In a matter of fifteen months in 1948-49, world history was changed by the greatest humanitarian aviation event in history, the Berlin Airlift. 

MEMORIALS: The Airlift Memorial at Rhein Main Air Base, Frankfurt, and on Luftbruckenplatz at Tempelhf  Airport in Berlin.

Each prong represents one of the 3 air corridors used during "Operation Vittles", and the names of the US and British Airmen killed in the process are inscribed on the base of each.

31 Americans lost their lives during the Berlin Airlift, paying the ultimate price for the freedom of others.  Let that not be forgotten.

1st Lt George B. Smith Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Captain James A. Vaughan New Haven, Connecticut	Cpl Norbert H. Theis Cunningham, Kansas
1st Lt Leland V. Williams Abilene, Texas	1st Lt Eugene S. Erickson Collinsville, Illinois	PFC Ronald E. Stone  Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Mr Karl V. Hagen New York, New York	Sgt Richard Winter Seattle, Washington	1st Lt Ralph H. Boyd Fort Worth, Texas
1st Lt Charles H. King Britton, South Dakota	Captain Billy E. Phelps Long Beach, California	1st Lt Craig B. Ladd Minneapolis, Minnesota
1st Lt Robert W. Stuber Arlington, California	1st Lt Willis F. Hargis Nacogdoches, Texas	TSgt Charles L. Putnam Colorado Springs, Colorado
Major Edwin C. Diltz Fayetteville, Texas	TSgt Lloyd G. Wells San Antonio, Texas	1st Lt Robert P. Weaver Fort Wayne, Indiana
Captain Willian R. Howard Gunnison, Mississippi	AD/3 Harry R. Crites, Jr. Lafayette, Indiana	1st Lt Royce C. Stephens San Antonio, Texas
Captain Joel M. DeVolentine Miami, Florida	1st Lt Richard M. Wurgel Union City, New Jersey	1st Lt Robert C. von Luehrte Covington, Kentucky
1st Lt William T. Lucas Wilson, North Carolina	1st Lt Lowell A. Wheaton, Jr. Corpus Christi, Texas	2nd Lt Donald J. Leemon Green Bay, Wisconsin
PFC Johnny T. Orms Rhein-Main Air Base	Captain William A. Rathgeber Portland, Oregon	TSgt Herbert F. Heinig Fort Wayne, Indiana
	Sgt Bernard J. Watkins Lafayette, Indiana

 

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!

[beachn4fun]

TO THE

FREEPER CANTEEN

Twas The Night Before Christmas...

Good morning, Everyone.

Good morning to our

Military, our Allies, and their families.

Thank you, Star, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities.

Our local DC Metroland weather report

~ Today...Cloudy skies
with periods of rain this afternoon.
High 42F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.

~ Tonight...Rain ending early.
Then remaining mainly cloudy. Low 36F.
Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.

Just dropping in the wish all my FR FRiends
a very Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year.

May your new year be happier and more prosperous than the last.

Mr. Beachy and I are off early to see The Hobbit,
so I can't hang around long.
Gotta get some breakfast and then off.
But will be back on Wed. morn.

Time for me to make my rounds.
But, you stay right where you are.
Keep your eyes on your monitor.
Cause......I'll be bock

Now remember, the Canteen is ALWAYS

Come on in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM

DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[E.G.C.]

Christmas Eve coffee bump.

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach. Merry Christmas!!!!!!

[beachn4fun]

Merry Christmas EG ((HUGS))

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

A grand story of British and American will and ingenuity. Thanks for the pings.

[luvie]

...to all you Early Birds!
God bless us every one!
(((((BIG hugs)))))
The frenzy ends today! :)

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. º.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, LUV W. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning LUV and (((HUGS))). 45º here this morning. During my ranger shift, there was a kid who missed a curve late yesterday and took out a transformer.

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning beachy and (((HUGS))). I still have to wrap a few gifts today.

[moose07]

Thank you for a great series.
Wishing the Canteen crew a Great CHRISTmas and a peaceful New year.

[ops33]

When I was stationed in Berlin two of the most popular locations to re-enlist was Checkpoint Charlie and the Airlift Memorial.

[mountainlion]

Here are some pictures form another post.

http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=ForumsPro&file=viewtopic&t=14428&finish=15&start=0

[alarm rider]

Happy Christmas everyone.

[MEG33]

HO HO HO
Happy Christmas Eve To All

[Kathy in Alaska]

Merry Christmas, AR!!

[luvie]

Bing Crosby~White Christmas

Bing Crosby~Silent Night

Bing Crosby
~I'll Be Home For Christmas~


Merry Christmas Friends!

[Diver Dave]

Thank you for that beautiful music.

Wishing your family and the Great Canteen Family Merry CHRISTmas!!!

[luvie]

I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dave! God bless and Merry Christmas! :)

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

Kathy, thank you for the stirring history of the Berlin Airlift and to all of the heroes who made it possible.....and successful.