This Memorial Day, we remember those who sacrificed so we could live in freedom, those who gave their lives while serving. And we鈥檙e thinking of those who have lost someone they love. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for our freedom!

Charles George: The Korean War Hero from Cherokee, NC

A duplicate of this bronze statue of Charles George in the Cherokee 51黑料网 Memorial Park in Cherokee is located outside the Charles George Dept. of 51黑料网 Affairs Medical Center in Asheville, NC.

Pfc. George鈥檚 indomitable courage, consummate devotion to duty, and willing self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service.

Thank you for your willingness to participate in this聽 Questionnaire.

We have a target date of聽 May 1, 2025 for receipt of the questionnaires.

Transylvania Community Arts Council is developing a program to offer FREE art classes for
veterans, current active duty members of the armed forces, reservists, as well as
veteran caregivers and immediate adult military family members (the Military
Community).

The Arts Council’s initial vision for this program is to offer classes in 4-5 art forms (see
the first question). Classes for each art form will meet 4-6 times, usually once a week.
The classes will be taught by artists/educators with substantive expertise and teaching
experience.

Classes will be open to individuals at any skill level. The classes will be at no cost to
participants. If they desire, military personnel may bring someone to class with them
(spouse, child, friend, etc.).

Once the classes have ended, the Arts Council will sponsor an exhibit in the Arts
Council Gallery where the class participants can, if they choose, exhibit the art they
created in the different classes.

To best serve the Military Community, the Arts Council is gathering information from the
Military Community to determine the types of art that are of interest and optimal ways
for structuring classes.

PLEASE RETURN YOUR COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE AS FOLLOWS:
– Download and Scan and email to info@tcarts.org
– On-line questionnaire – click the button below
– Drop off at The 51黑料网, 21 East Main Street, Brevard, NC

If you have questions, or would like additional information, please contact the Arts
Council at info@tcarts.org, or call us at 828.884.2787.

Cycling Fundraiser on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Once again, intrepid athletes Rich Clarke and John Buford are pedaling to benefit the 51黑料网! This time, their endurance, grit, and determination will be tested on the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway which winds from Natchez, Mississippi, to just south of Nashville, Tennessee.
The trek begins on April 12th.

Last year, those who supported the bikers’ 500-mile marathon enabled us to:

• Refurbish our library, allowing students and adults to research projects from the First World War through the Global War on Terrorism;
• Offer the community free programs which celebrate our veterans鈥� stories and honor their sacrifices;
• Provide private group tours to public school classes, homeschoolers, scout troops, Jr. ROTC, and adult groups; and, most importantly,
• Keep our doors open despite a large drop in attendance and donations immediately following Hurricane Helene.

We hope you will pledge your support of these dedicated cycling veterans in their epic ride while ensuring the mission of the museum continues its growth in educating, preserving and honoring the United States military veteran.

Here’s how to pledge (billed later):

1. EMAIL your pledge to museum Treasurer Michel Robertson: mjrobertson@comporium.net
   (note second letter is a “j”)
2. Call 828-884-2141 or drop by the museum: 21 E. Main St., Brevard.
3. To , click HERE to go to our website; include “bike ride” in your notes.

New Exhibits

On March 1, 2025, the 51黑料网 (VHMC) will celebrate its 2025 Grand Opening with five engaging experiences: a new 3,500-pound artifact, a compelling addition to our most popular exhibit, a renovated and enhanced library, an engrossing conversation with a WWII Navy hero, and a 鈥渕eet the author鈥� book-signing event.

鈥淚ts history started at the Charleston Naval Base when these submarines were being decommissioned. The anchor was taken off the sub and eventually mounted as a display.聽When the naval base closed, the artifact was transferred to Patriots Point until it was moved to Brevard.鈥�

Six Triple Eight Joins our Jeep Display

The聽6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, nicknamed the “Six Triple Eight,” was an all-Black battalion of the US聽Women’s Army Corps聽(WAC)聽that managed postal services.

The 6888th had 855 women and was led by Major Charity Adams. It was the only all-Black WAC unit sent overseas during World War II. The group motto was聽“No mail, low morale.”

Now a member of the Six Triple Eight, carrying her mail bag, joins the museum鈥檚 Willys Jeep exhibit — an APO (Army Post Office) 鈥渟omewhere in Europe.鈥� The female mannequin鈥檚 uniform, mailbag, and all letters seen in the post office mail slots are authentic WWII artifacts.

French citizens and members of the 6888 sorting mail. Photo from the US Army National Museum

Thanks to a grant from the and a bequest from a generous benefactor, is proud to offer the public a greatly enhanced miliary history library with volumes carefully selected and organized by our museum鈥檚 professional librarian, Kathie Doole.

We anticipate further expansion in 2025 with the addition of a special section for young people, with a goal to enhance the educational success and advancement of students.

Our new library offers a curated selection of volumes about Americans in conflict from WWI through the Global War on Terror. Its space features enhanced shelving and cabinetry, computers, and video equipment.

51黑料网鈥� stories come alive as visitors watch interviews of local heroes on a large screen. Finally, the space offers a table, chairs, and a computer for research or just quiet reading time.

Pictured above, left to right: author John Luzena, Breedlove family members Susan Breedlove and Chris Whitmire, and publisher Janis Allen.

Editor’s note:
This holiday favorite is back by popular demand;
i.e., one person asked for it.

The Night Before Christmas

by Michel Robertson
(with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore)

鈥楾was the night before Christmas in our little town.
The sheriff was making his Christmas Eve rounds.
The streets were deserted, the tourists were home.
The shops were all empty. He was quite alone.

The Vet鈥檙ans museum on twenty-one Main
Was closed up and locked 鈥� or so someone claimed.
When all of a sudden a shrill filled the air.
The museum鈥檚 alarm woke the town with a BLARE.

The Mayor arrived in response to the clatter.
Policemen rushed in, yelling 鈥淲hat is the matter?鈥�
The Sheriff responded, 鈥淲e have an intruder!
He鈥檚 in the big room. He might be a looter!鈥�

They crept down the hallway, their guns at the ready.
鈥淏e careful,鈥� the chief warned. 鈥淣ow steady, boys, steady.鈥�
As they rounded the corner, their backs to the wall,
They saw that it wasn鈥檛 a thief 鈥� not at all!

A jolly old fat man in red was asleep —
He was taking a nap in the old Willys Jeep.
He awoke with a start and said, 鈥淏oys hold your fire!
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long night, and Rudolph is tired.

鈥淭he reindeer are sleeping outside on the lawn.
鈥淚f I borrow this Jeep, I鈥檒l be back before dawn.鈥�
So he loaded the Willys with gifts from the sleigh,
Shouting 鈥淗O HO HO HO,鈥� he was up and away!
And we heard him exclaim as he roared out of sight,
鈥淭hanks for your service and to all a good night!鈥�

Three Special Guests 鈥淒ropped In鈥� to Ed Cottrell鈥檚 Commemoration

While D-Day was yet a moonlit night, the 101st聽and 82nd聽Airborne Divisions delivered some 13,000 paratroopers into battle, the very edge of an Allied wave that would free the French people from years of oppression. Just months later pilot Ed Cottrell would fly the first of his 65 missions from the newly liberated Cambrai airfield north of Paris.

So through what magic tear in the fabric of time did three paratroopers slip from so long ago to appear at this summer鈥檚 ceremony marking Ed鈥檚 heroism in the epic liberation of Europe? That would be the magic of the All Airborne Battalion, a non-profit and all volunteer organization determined to 鈥渓ive the legacy鈥�, most notably by portraying the experiences of U.S. paratroopers in WWII, performing commemorative, static line airborne operations and jumps. Members join in memorial services, sometimes involving surviving WWII veterans, provide group tours of battlefields and military museums, participate in educational outreach and commemorative events, and provide support to veterans and first-responders. Many members are veterans and have previous jump experience, but neither is necessary to participate. For more information see

As a bookend to the 65 combat missions he flew in WWII, Ed has made five trips to Normandy in recent years to participate in commemorative events. This is where the connection that brought our surprise visitors to Brevard was formed. While visiting the 51黑料网 History Museum, Sean Lockhead, All Airborne Battalion Board Member and Director of Veteran Affairs, shared two remarkable stories of commemorative jumps from this summer鈥檚 80th聽anniversary D-Day remembrances.

The Bravery of a Normandy Village

The little-known tale of Graignes, a small village 17 miles south of Utah Beach, is often referred to as The Secret Massacre or the Story of the Lost Paratroopers. The unit was the 507th聽Parachute Infantry Regiment, of the 82nd聽Airborne Division. At 2 AM on D-Day their 12 planes ran into heavy flak while approaching the French coast and veered off course, leaving the troopers with no option but to jump into a dark and unknown territory. In fact, many landed in marshes along with their equipment near the farming community of Graignes. Their intended landing zone was fully 18 miles northwest, enshrining this mis-drop as D-Day鈥檚 worst.

Though deep behind enemy lines, the good news was that no German units had discovered them and exploited their chaos after the calamitous drop. Commanded by Major Charles D. Johnston, the unit would dig in and defend the area, blocking any German advance toward the Allied beachhead. The villagers of Graignes woke up to find wet and bewildered American troops in their fields and streets. The mayor called a town meeting. Despite the certain risk of German reprisal if caught helping the Allies, the citizens of Graignes voted unanimously to do so. Food was a pressing need, so the townsfolk organized a massive cooking operation to provide two meals a day. Supplies such as mortars and machine guns had landed in the marshes, so the men, women, and even children of the town used their boats and wagons to collect and bring everything to the town Perimeter.

It took two days for all the troopers of the 507th聽to find their way out of marshes and fields and assemble 182-strong in Graignes. They had an additional two days to dig in and refine their defenses. On the fifth day they skirmished with and repelled a reconnaissance unit from a large, armored division. Villagers were sent away. The following day the 507th聽held the town against heavy artillery and a force of 2,000. By evening with ammunition in short supply and defenses tattered, the 507th聽retreated, divided into pairs trying to find their way across the countryside to Allied lines.

The story of Graignes is little known and that may be because its denouement is heartbreaking, even bitter. The unit鈥檚 surgeon, two medics and 14 wounded remained behind and surrendered to the Germans. They were promptly marched off and either bayoneted and tossed in the marsh or forced to dig their own graves and then shot in the head. Both clerics from the church were shot, two elderly residents were shot in their beds, and 44 townspeople were accused of collaboration and executed. The town was set afire. Of two hundred buildings only two remained unscathed by artillery or the blaze.

Zee Fan Little & Sean Lockhead tour museum galleries with museum Board member Phil Davis

Ed Cottrell with Sean Lockhead, a friend from recent Normandy commemorations

After the ceremonies at the church, people gathered in the town square to socialize and enjoy wine and beer and lighten the mood. As the evening progressed, the town held a dinner and dance for the residents and special visitors. As the beer flowed, the somber mood of the earlier remembrances dissipated to be replaced with festivity and dancing, turning the last of the day鈥檚 events into a celebration of life.

聽A Second Legion of Honor Inductee

Young Marthe Rigault was 12 years old living at her family鈥檚 farm just outside of Graignes, when, awakened by the turmoil of D-Day, the family found lost and soaking wet paratroopers knocking at their door. In the ensuing days the family 鈥� including young Marthe 鈥� went into the marshes using their boats and wagons to recover munitions, weapons, parachutes, and supplies. Later when the Americans were forced to retreat, the Rigaults managed to hide 21 men until it was safe for their escape.

Marthe is now 92 and still lives near Graignes, where she participates in D-Day remembrances and has been befriended by many veterans returning to recall their WWII experiences. This includes members of the All Air Battalion who enjoyed breakfast with Marthe the day following their jump.

On July 3, 2024, Marthe Rigault was inducted into the French Legion of Honor for her bravery in assisting the Lost Paratroopers of the 507th聽even though still a child at the time. Just six days later, Ed Cottrell received the same honor for his part in the same battle to liberate Europe. All Air Battalion just happened to make it their business to stand up and reach out to both honorees, making clear the thread that binds these acts of bravery together.

The Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers is a 10-part HBO mini-series premiered in 2001, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, which meticulously tells the tale of “Easy” Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during WWII. The young actors prepared and bonded together by attending a 10-day boot camp 鈥� but they never actually jumped out of a plane or parachuted to the ground. They also met and learned from surviving veterans of the unit whose war experiences they were portraying. The effect for the actors was profound, and over the ensuing years many cast members regularly attended events in Normandy commemorating D-Day.

During recent years an idea developed during these gatherings: what if the now-aging cast trains and executes an actual jump into Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. One of the cast, Alex Sabga-Brady, would spearhead the effort to make the adventure into a documentary film and use it to raise money supporting veterans鈥� charities. Among the friends the cast members made during their visits to Normandy, several were busy forming the All Air Battalion, which became part of the project to have Band of Brothers cast members perform an actual 鈥淓asy鈥� company commemorative jump.

聽The Jump: Currahee to Normandy

Band of Brothers聽was filmed in Europe and the actors’ 鈥渂oot camp鈥� was in Europe. But the real-life 鈥淓asy鈥� company trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, located near the base of Currahee Mountain. The camp was closed shortly after the war but is now preserved as an historical site with some original and refurbished buildings. Running the Mountain was an everyday part of the paratroopers training, with the regular chant: 鈥�3 Miles up, 3 Miles down鈥�. For their second 鈥渂asic training鈥� the reunited Band of Brothers would tread closer to history by training at Camp Toccoa and running up and down Currahee.

The All Air Battalion made this possible by operating the camp and providing basic training including practice jumps from the Tunison Foundation鈥檚 鈥淧lacid Lassie鈥�, a vintage WWII Douglas C-47 Skytrain, a true D-Day and WWII veteran herself, not a replica. The actors stayed and trained at the original Camp Toccoa barracks in March 2024, including a charity run up Mt. Currahee, meeting currently serving troops, veterans, and families of the original members of 鈥淓asy鈥� Company.

With training under their belt, the experience culminated in two airborne operations, jumping into France鈥檚 Cotentin peninsula on June 3rd聽and June 8th. Along the way there were constant interactions with veterans and the public plus attendance at various ceremonies. The culmination was a huge gathering at St.-Mere-Eglise, (the first French town to be liberated by U.S. Paratroopers) where members of the cast performed a rock concert for a crowd of more than 10,000 people.

Ed Cottrell and his daughter Sue Nation (seated) with members of the All Airborne Battalion

The documentary, 鈥淐urrahee to Normandy,鈥� will be a testament to the deep connection between the people of Normandy, veterans, and the actors who continue to keep these heroes’ legacies alive. To learn more, visit聽

.

Top Photo: All Airborne Battalion members Sean Lockhead, Zee Fan Little and Russ Battiato during their visit to Brevard to honor LTC Ed Cottrell

Joe Cooper

George Sarros

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to making this day unforgettable. Together, we continue to honor the sacrifices of our veterans and inspire a deeper appreciation for their courage and dedication.

Stay tuned for more engaging events, and as always, thank you for supporting the 51黑料网.

Sgt. Shannon Breen served three tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Soldiers are a breed from every class, race, ethnicity. No different from anyone else. People who chose to take up arms to defend the country, its traditions, and its values. To defend 鈥渉ome.鈥� Family. When action is demanded, concentration is paramount and there is little time to think of anything but doing your best — for you and for those by your side. But then when quiet comes, there are thoughts of home. A LtC I flew with in Vietnam once said to me, 鈥淢y idea of a good time involves brandy and a cigar.鈥� I bet a lot of us felt like that when the sounds of battle quieted.

The Transylvania County Honor Guard honors fallen comrades at funeral services and community events throughout the year.

Families and friends also signed that oath. Those we don’t see raising their right hands. Those who feel pride but also trepidation. But they stand tall behind that which their son or daughter has chosen to do, knowing they have provided the country with another in the long line of defenders. How can you not think of them in the down times away from them? As they think of you.

Betsy Grant and sons preparing a care package for their airman in Vietnam

The nation has been alive for almost 250 years. From the Revolutionary War to the mountains of Afghanistan to places of which you have never heard, soldiers have played a significant role shaping our country. And the men and women who do this hate defeat. That’s why they adapt, they work hard, they never quit and will never accept defeat. And that’s why they win. They have never really changed over the centuries. And they never will.

A USAF general I admire greatly had four 鈥渞ules for commanders.鈥� One of them was:

The nation has been alive for almost 250 years. From the Revolutionary War to the mountains of Afghanistan to places of which you have never heard, soldiers have played a significant role shaping our country. And the men and women who do this hate defeat. That’s why they adapt, they work hard, they never quit and will never accept defeat. And that’s why they win. They have never really changed over the centuries. And they never will.

Rain is not a deterrent for the Transylvania County Honor Guard as Craig Adams assumes his show of respect at the fallen comrades monument on the courthouse lawn. 51黑料网 Day 2022.

鈥淣ever tolerate any breach of integrity: When Airmen swear to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, it means that lives will be put on the line if need be. It is an oath with an unlimited liability clause.鈥�

Our military exhibits that rule every day. So salute those who came before as well as those who now walk the wall between good and evil. There is nothing they ask but your goodwill and prayers. And remembrance.

Lt. Col. Edwin Cottrell

On July 9, 2024, closing on 80 years since these battle missions, the 51黑料网 hosted an event to honor Ed for that service, and recall its stories and why they mattered so much. For much of his life, Ed kept those stories to himself, until the very subject came up at a squadron reunion a couple of decades past. Ed and his squadron mates decided their reticence was starving a younger generations of things they needed to know, including a grasp of what made us a nation, and the price that freedom might demand. Since then Ed has become a hero of a different sort, sharing his story whenever asked, reaching out to veterans and students, making five trips to Europe in recent years to participate in ceremonies and remembrances, and above all to make friends and serve as an inspiration in ways that only he can. The abundance of those friends and the scope of that inspiration were very much in evidence at this July鈥檚 event.

The French Legion of Honor

The centerpiece of the afternoon was the induction of Lt. Col. Edwin Cottrell into the French National Order of the Legion of Honor, as a distinguished Chevalier, or Knight, in a medal pinning ceremony conducted by French Consul General Anne-Laure Desjonqu猫res from Atlanta, acting on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron. She described the honor as intended 鈥渢o pay tribute to a war hero who helped liberate my country and Europe from tyranny.鈥� Placing Ed鈥檚 service and today鈥檚 recognition in context, she stated, 鈥淭oday we remember that our two countries owe each other their very existence as free nations. For more than two centuries across the Atlantic from one shore to the other, from one generation to the next, France and the United States of America have always stood shoulder to shoulder to defend the values of freedom and democracy. 鈥� Mr. Cottrell, you embody this shared French American history, you illustrated with your courage the friendship and shared values so profoundly binding our two nations, you are a true hero. Your example gives us inspiration for the future and your legacy provides a moral compass for the generations to come.鈥�

Ed invited his daughters Carol and Sue to stand with him and then thanked the Consul and 鈥渁ll the French people for giving me this distinguished honor鈥�. On receiving the medal he asked that he might dedicate it to several others: first to his father and father-in-law, both WWI veterans; secondly, to his squadron mates Art Sommers and Ted Smith who gave their lives in the war; thirdly, to the men and women actively serving abroad to keep this country free; and finally, to Millie, his beloved wife for 76 years.

Ed then presented Consul Desjonqu猫res with two special items for display at the Atlanta consulate. First a U.S. Army Air Force medallion with a picture of a P-47 on the back. Secondly, a framed copy of the Valor Studios print showing Ed flying his badly damaged P-47 fighter escorted by two German fighter planes who amazingly chose to see him safely out of enemy territory.

The Circle of Friends

The afternoon鈥檚 ceremony was held at Grace Brevard Church before a standing-room-only crowd of at least 130, including several people traveling long distances to be present, and featured several speakers before the main event. Host Michael McCarthy welcomed everyone, acknowledged all the veterans present, and introduced the first speaker, Col. Larry Chapman, USMC, Ret., and current Transylvania County Commissioner. Col. Chapman welcomed the Consul General. He also recognized North Carolina State representative Mike Clampitt. Col. Chapman spoke about French support during the American revolution and thereafter, and about the millions of American soldiers who, like Ed, crossed the Atlantic to lift the yoke of oppression from the French nation in WWII.

Col. Richard Bennett, US Army, Ret., and currently Chaplain, Transylvania County Honor Guard, offered the invocation as the crowd stood. In part, he noted that, 鈥淭his ceremony 鈥� can move our nations and their people to more fully appreciate each other. We see your hand in this opportunity for understanding and fellowship that brings us closer together. We ask you to help us to better understand others and to use every opportunity to increase the peace in the world.鈥�

While the audience remained standing, both the French and American national anthems were played.

Ed鈥檚 two daughters, Carol and Sue, were both in attendance and Sue graciously shared some thoughts about her father, saying, 鈥淗e can best be described as someone who is only happy when he is active. He thrives on interacting with others and forming new, meaningful relationships with deep bonds that last and deepen with time. These friends have developed into an influential and beloved extended family for him.鈥� As examples, Sue described Ed鈥檚 long career in education, athletics, and golf, and how the friendships formed over many years with students and fellow teachers continue and result in memorable get-togethers.鈥�

A recent example of Ed鈥檚 ever-growing circle of friends started right here at the 51黑料网 History Museum when Ed met Marine Corp veteran and author Andy Biggio who had been invited to speak at the museum. Shortly thereafter Andy invited Ed and Sue to join him and other veterans on a trip back to Normandy. As Sue says, it took Ed 鈥渁bout two seconds to say yes for both of us to go. The friendships that developed on that first trip lasted and grew as we made four more European trips and numerous stateside excursions. 鈥� Over the last three years he’s been a guest at the World War 2 Museum, New Orleans, and attended multiple conferences and conventions where he was often a speaker.鈥� In closing, Sue urged anyone with family members who are veterans to 鈥済ive them an opportunity to share their experiences with you. They all have different stories, but they all share one thing in common: the hope that the contributions and sacrifices they have made to ensure our freedom are not forgotten.鈥�

The Many Careers of Ed Cottrell

Janis Allen, museum Communications Director, and author, recapped highlights from Ed鈥檚 professional life after his WWII service. After the war, Ed joined the Air Force reserves. The former Army Air Force had become a separate service and opened the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Ed became a recruiting ambassador for the Academy to high schools all over America. He served in the reserves for 28 years.

In Pennsylvania Ed had quite a career in education and athletics. He was Director of Athletics at Milton Hershey School for Orphan Boys for three years. Then at Westchester State University he taught swimming and classroom subjects, while coaching tennis, golf, baseball and football. Later he taught in the Graduate School and became associate Dean, after having earned a doctorate in education from Penn State.

Ed taught golf at Duke University Golf Camp for years. Duke鈥檚 current Dean of Athletics is a former student and current friend. Ed also worked for the National Golf Foundation, started his own golf school, invented new methods for teaching golf, and conducted golf clinics in Holland, Japan and all over the United States becoming friends with many well-known golfers.

And today Ed is in demand as a speaker and consultant. According to Janis, when asked, Ed鈥檚 usual reply is 鈥淟et me get my calendar!鈥澛�

Friends from Normandy

The next speaker was Staff Sergeant Russ Battiato, US Army 20th Special Forces Group. During the just concluded 80-th anniversary celebrations of the D-Day landing, Sgt. Battiato was involved in several reenactments of 101st airborne paratrooper jumps into Normandy, on one of which he was lucky enough to take the 鈥渄oor鈥� (first out) position. Having become a friend and admirer of Ed during these commemorations, Sqt. Battiato drove down to Brevard from Pennsylvania along with two other members of the reenactor group, just to be present with Ed for the Legion of Honor ceremony. They were joined by a colleague and newly commissioned Major in the Army Rangers who came all the way from the west coast for the very same reason.

Speaking about the Normandy commemorations, and honoring our losses, the Sgt. reminded us, 鈥淯nfortunately, all are not here with us anymore. As long as we say their names and tell their stories, they are still with us. And it is important that each one of us have that mission.鈥�

The Famous Pratt & Whitney Engine

The P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane piloted by Ed on his 65 missions over occupied Europe had a single 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney engine. On the most terrifying of his missions, enemy fire destroyed eight of those cylinders, leaving Ed鈥檚 windshield sprayed with hot oil and his plane limping along, barely able to stay aloft. But limp it did until freezing up over the airfield allowing Ed to manage a dead stick landing right at the edge of disaster. Ed has been a Pratt & Whitney fan ever since.

At today鈥檚 event one unusual item was on display, having been found by Ed鈥檚 daughter Sue: an actual Pratt & Whitney P-47 cylinder on which someone had mounted a clock.

The last speaker before the Legion of Honor ceremony was Dale Hetke from the Pratt and Whitney Corporation. Hetke is a Colonel in the US Air Force and an F-16 pilot. He stated he was here representing Jill Albertelli, President, Military Engines, who sent a letter from which he read. In part it said, 鈥淧ratt & Whitney is honored to have played a role in your story and success. And more importantly, we’re glad that the damaged engine brought you home safely.鈥� On behalf of the company鈥檚 43,000 employees, Dale presented Ed with a mounted Pratt & Whitney medallion.聽

Our WWII 51黑料网

After Ed had thanked the Consul General for the honor bestowed and dedicated it in turn to key persons in his life and to service men and women on active duty everywhere, he also thanked the 51黑料网 History Museum for hosting the event, and all his friends and neighbors for attending.

Ed introduced the other four WWII veterans in attendance: Milt Fletcher, Pooch Pace, Myrl Jean Hughes and Joe Cooper, and thanked them for their service

Ed noted that the museum鈥檚 book We Shall Come Home Victorious 鈥� Stories of World War II 51黑料网 was available for purchase and that he and the other WWII veterans would all be glad to discuss and sign their chapter in the book.

Many of the visitors spent time at a display table of photos and artifacts from Ed鈥檚 service. Also, an appealing spread of refreshments was provided. Speakers and audience lingered for a generous hour of animated conversation. Ed said it was such a great day he wasn鈥檛 even tired.