Free Republic

He sat there, on the jump seat right behind the cockpit, with the look of authority that only comes with command. His hand rested on his cane. Over his jacket pocket, "fruit-salad" medals he earned in the war. Only his cool dark glasses seemed out of place. On his chest, a button that read "I've Survived Damn Near Everything." Damn near. Six decades is a long time between flights, but today Pat Bednorz was back in the front office of a B-24 Liberator - the first time in 63 years. And he was flying to Corpus Christi. (cont.)

FORT MYERS: Two historic World War II bombers will be landing in Fort Myers Monday. The planes will be open for public tours and even flights. A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy Bomber and a Consolidated B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber will be at Page Field from January 29th – 31st. The B-17 Flying Fortress, one of the most recognizable bomber aircraft of WWII, is one of only nine in the nation that are still airworthy. The B-24, the most produced aircraft during WWII, is the only restored B-24 still in flying operation. The bombers are owned by the Collings Foundation,...

Two generations of female pilots embraced in the shade beneath a World War II bomber's wings Wednesday afternoon - those who had flown such aircraft when they were new, during the war, and one flying them now as living history exhibits. Flora Belle Reece and Ty Killen, former members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots corps during World War II, were on hand to greet the restored bombers from the Collings Foundation's "Wings of Freedom" tour as they arrived for a three-day stay at William J. Fox Airfield. "It's great to be back," Killen said. "For a real-life beauty like...

If you've ever dreamed of sailing the skies in a World War II bomber, there may be no time like the present in Tucson. But it'll cost ya. Four vintage bombers will touch down in the city in April, offering rides at about $400 a pop. The events are sponsored by two nonprofit foundations that use the money to help keep the rare old warplanes running. The Old Pueblo has become a favorite stopover for such outfits because our warm-weather city has all the attributes they look for. "Tucson is a hot spot because it has so many retirees and...

WWII Combat Europe Ploesti, Rumania 1 August 1943 While Allied and Axis forces were battling in Sicily, the AAF staged one of the war's most daring heavy bomber raids. The target was the Ploesti oil fields in Rumania, estimated to be supplying 60% of Germany's crude oil requirements. Shortly after dawn on August 1, 1943, AAF B-24s took off from bases in Libya and headed toward the heavily defended target, deep inside enemy territory a thousand miles away. Over Bulgaria, clouds broke up the B-24 formations and the bombing elements became widely separated. Tracked by German radar which alerted Rumanian...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. .................................................................. .................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. .................................................................. .................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should...

It began as a lark. Two young women working in the cockpit of a Liberator bomber during World War II leave their names and addresses for the pilots to find. "I didn't expect to hear from anybody," says Mildred Lemons, who now lives in Arivaca. But a couple of months later, she did hear from one: Douglas Gordon Elliott, a flight engineer with the Royal Australian Air Force. Until the war's end, he and Lemons would correspond. And then both just drifted away. "I don't know who quit first," says Lemons. "I was married. The war was over." Suddenly, it...

Out of the Blue: Finding Buddy Fern Lord holds a photograph of her brother, Buddy, who was lost in a B-24 crash in World War II. When told that remains found in New Guinea are likely those of her long-lost brother, Lord said, “I know it sounds strange, but after what we’ve been through, that would be a happy ending.We want to give him a proper burial before it’s time for ours.” JOHN H. SHEALLY II/THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT By JOANNE KIMBERLIN, The Virginian-Pilot © June 24, 2004 SUFFOLK — Fern Lord is 81. She was 21 when her brother Buddy disappeared....

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. Welcome to "Warrior Wednesday" Where the Freeper Foxhole introduces a different...

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood...

The Liberator By Darren Morrison “Liberator” was the name given to a weapon of war called the B-24 bomber. Though this plane was in the shadows of the famous B-17 flying fortress, the B-24 was a remarkable aircraft in its own right. The Liberator had a number of virtues which made it a highly sought-after bomber: it was fast (300 m.p.h. at 30,000 feet); capable of carrying a payload of 8,000 pounds; and had an operational range of approximately 2,290 miles. The Liberator was the most sought-after bomber in World War II. This plane had an outstanding war record in...