The Eighth Air Force Historical Society
Massachusetts Chapter
The Mighty Eighth
Volume 14, No. 6 November 2, 2000
�Warthogs,Tall Ships and A Veterans' Park� By Jack Brennan How's that for a headline? It gives you a clue to the three biggest events thus far since our last edition and, pay attention back there, should be a tip-off to you that there is more to come!� (Message from our webmaster: To keep our website modem-friendly, we've split our newsletter into 3 pages.� Please click the sections below so you don't miss any of our Mighty Eighth news!) Warthogs� (info for this story supplied by Jack Messerlian, 8th AFHS)� On 5-11-2000 members of your chapter were given the red carpet treatment at Barnes Air Field by Lt. Colonel Bruce Schultze of the 104th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard. Jerry Coletta of our chapter has a pal who is former group commander of the 102 TAC Fighter Group. He kindly made the arrangements with Col. Schultze.� A warthog is a ground fighter. It is a wild African hog with two large protruding tusks. Males have rough warty growths on their faces. Get out of their way. It is also the A-10 /OA-10 Thunderbolt II, the first Air Force air craft designed for close air support of ground troops. (Remember one of the last scenes in "Saving Private Ryan". The aircraft that took out the tank was a WW2 version of the Warthog.) The commander of the 104th Fighter Wing ably assisted by Major Gebove, a Delta pilot in civilian life, Capt. Ken Kedora, and Lt. Don Chapin.� Tech Sgt. Dave Cooper gave a detailed explanation of safety gadgets pilots have at their call if they get in trouble.� 8th Air Force vets and other members were amazed to hear that the Russkis have a somewhat better ejection seat than we have.� This is from people who lost the Kursk and the enormous (and dumb) radio-TV tower. Some members questioned whether the somewhat inferior seat was the result of economizing in the military.� Major Gebove noted that the life of the 104th aircraft has been extended by more frequent to complete overhauls.� Remember that our B-52s are supposed to have an 80 year life span. Chapter members were served box lunches at the O Club so they could take them outside and watch on-going operations while eating.� All AFHS guests received a 50th Anniversary brochure commemorating the 104th length of service, a pilot's flight bag, a 104th key chain and other souvenirs.� Thanks to everyone who made our day at Barnes such a success. We were impressed!� It is popular in some circles to downgrade Air National Guard pilots and personnel.� Those who do so fly in the face of history. The Commander of the 104th. THE PERFECT CALM! CREW OF THE "Brittany-O" GREETS AND TREATS 8thAFHS LUBBERS! (Boston Harbor}: The crew of the lobsterboat "Brittanty-O" somehow arranged perfect weather for the Mass. Chapters annual cruise of Quincy Bay, Boston Harbor and the dining tables of the Quincy Yacht Club. In a summer flawed by drizzle and downpours the weather did a 180 degree turn and brought bright skies, pleasant temperatures and calm waters so that veterans, members and guests could enjoy touring the harbor and seeing the tall ships up close.� Teri Boyd coordinated the event with the skill of a president of General Motors. The "Brittany-O" was manned, or in point of fact also "womanned" by Captain Mark O'Meara,1st Mate Peggy O'Neil Simone, Richard Simone and Dianne O'Meara.� Eighth Air Force Mass. Chapter members seek out the "Brittany-O" each year and, indeed, are sought out by them as we all enjoy each others company. Our own unsinkable Henry Oi deserves full credit for making sure the Chapter was included in the day of sail.� Members sailing on the Tall Ships-Vets Day trip were Henry Oi, Al Ducey, Al Audette, John Brennan and wife Anne, Jack McKernan and wife Maggie, Dag Morse, Tom Powers, Pete Diamond, Eric Morse, Lionel LeBlanc and Esther Jackson, Jack Messerlin, Pres. Bill Campbell, Lou Smith, Ed Johnson, Dick Connor, Gerry Coletta, Charlie Crespi, Henry Bengis, Bob Grahn, Cal Campbell, and Don Pryor. We were also honored by having aboard a news crew from WBZ-TV, Channel 4. Familiar face Bill Shields reported events from the "Brittany-O" and news photographer Janet Johnson filmed everything and everyone in sight. There were more than a dozen lobster boats at the dock at the Quincy Yacht Club and plenty of volunteers when we arrived.� Muscle power was needed to help wheelchair bound vets from various VA hospitals get down the gangway and onto the boats.� Even some of us Chapter members were grateful for a helping hand getting aboard O'Mearas's ark and into our seats. (Make that ALL of us!) The Quincy Salvation Army was ready to serve coffee and doughnuts to those waiting to board.� Major Ed and Flo Forsters ably assisted by Gladys Brown and Bonnie Hepburn had a smile for everyone to go with the java and pastries. There were plenty of volunteers from the Quincy Police Patrolman's Association, the Harvey Salt Water Fishing Club, the harbormaster and his assistants, the city's marine unit and police boats.� The state's Environmental Police helped escort the Veteran's Convoy.� Veterans' groups from the area were at hand to lend a hand.� (If we've left anybody out it's because there were so many helpers from both government and the Quincy social organizations like the DAV that it was hard to keep track of them all. The lobsterboats formed a column and we left Hough's Neck, sailed under the Long Island Bridge and past Castle Island.� We were up close and personal to almost every Tall Ship at anchor in the harbor or tied to the wharves.� A police boat and a medical boat escorted us. It didn't take long for Lionel LeBlanc to begin singing "The Army Air Corp Song" and other familiar airs.� Most joined in with him and no one jumped overboard.� When we pulled up alongside the US Constitution the Honor Guard aboard "Old Ironsides" was scheduled to fire a salute with the cannon but due to crowded conditions on the water the contented themselves with standing at attention and giving us a grand salute.� We in turn sang "God Bless America" at the top of our lungs.� People aboard other ships and boats in the area quickly and loudly joined in.� The TV crew loved it and we were all on the evening news. We returned to the Quincy Yacht Club and had a fine luncheon.� The Gillette Company presented all the Chapter members and their guests with shopping bags filled with Gillette products. We headed for home and a seat in front of the TV for the six o'clock news on WBZ-TV.� I wonder how many of those who enjoyed the wonderful trip were able to stay awake to see it again at eleven o'clock.� Guess that's why God made VCRs. We were all so honored. A Veterans' Park, A Town's Heart!� August 12, 2000 was a marvelous day for those Chapter members who traveled to the town of Athol located near the beginning of the Mohawk Trail. Chapter member Vincent "Bill" Purple, president of the Athol Veterans Park Development Corporation, invited members to take part in a dedication ceremony for Athol's Veterans Park. About twenty of us responded to the invitation and were certainly not sorry we did so.� Chapter members met at Hanscom Field to car pool or made their own way to that pleasant community. We rendezvoused at the regional high school and heard that the parade would be without marchers or bands. Those of us who had never been to this fine community wondered why.� The members of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society rode on a bunting decorated flatbed with our insignia displayed. Music was furnished by a loudspeaker truck playing martial music and by citizens playing CDs here and there along the parade route. Naturally they were all playing the same marches!� Athol, as befits a town on the edge of the Berkshires, has very steep hills. It would have been impossible for the older vets who made up the majority of the parade to navigate them.� Your editor was seated between his wife, Anne, and Chapter member Chester Bemis, a B-17 tail gunner with the 305BG, who sold ice cream in Athol for many years. Just about every one of the spectators knew him and called out his name, friendly greetings and happy thoughts. Your editor thought he was sitting beside a noted politician but Chester was not a pol, simply a nice patriotic gentleman whom everyone loved.�� Athol had an eyesore edifice in the center of town. Fore thinking and patriotic residents arranged to get it, tear it down and construct a most handsome Veterans' Park complete with flags, flowerbeds and fountains. The building of the park was a full community effort.� The Dedication Ceremony was marked by unabashed patriotism. Your chapter members loved seeing it! Bill Purple began the dedication with a speech of welcome. Then The American Legion presented the colors. Connie Zani who works with Bill led us all in the Pledge of Allegiance and Pastor Mark Bariloni gave a patriotic invocation.� Four pastors representing four faiths read a remembrance of the sinking of the troopship "USAT Dorchester" in WW2. This was the submarine sinking immortalized by the gallant and pious actions of the four chaplains who were last seen as the deck became awash embracing each other and praying. They had given their life vests to GIs who were without them.� This was most poignant to your editor and his wife for our youngest grandson, James Quinn Brennan, is named for his mother's uncle, a GI who went down with the "Dorchester".� There was a singing of the National Anthem, a number of speakers, a flag raising ceremony by the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces with their anthems being sung by the Athol Veterans Park Chorus. There followed the planting of a "Time Capsule" by the Rotary, a benediction by Father Ray Messier and then everyone sang " God Bless America" led by the Athol Veterans Park Chorus.� After that the area Elks Club served up a grand chicken barbecue back at the picnic area of their clubhouse. Servings were so lavish that only a few of your chapters' great eaters went back for seconds.� The 8th AFHS salutes Bill Purple and all those involved in this truly stirring day. It brought every one of us back to a more decent America where patriotism, honor, loyalty and family and neighborhood values were something to be upheld and not cast down. Let's hear it again for Athol! WORDS TO REMEMBER (We printed this before but it is so important we are printing it again.) Those who turn their weapons into plowshares� wind up pulling the plows for those who didn't. Do you have a story to tell about your experiences with the Eighth?� Funny or sad, all stories are welcome.� You don't have to be an Ace or one who shot down Nazis galore from his tail turret. Those who flew a desk or cooked the chow for the troops have their stories to tell, also because they were very important people as we like to think we all were. New Feature!�� Can the Eighth Air Force Family be of help?� These people would like to hear from you. 92nd BG-327th BS.Jeff Sturtwould like your help in trying to locate a J R Demartino (92nd BG-327th BS) 8th AF veteran who is from Mass. Any info would be appreciated. 8865th AIR ENG. SQDN. Patricia is looking for info about her father, Robert Vizi, Pennsylvania, 7th photop ren. AAF Sta. 234.� He died when Patricia was 14 and she would like some anecdotes to tell his grandchildren.� He was also with 27 Photo Ren. in the Korean War.� Email [email protected] or [email protected] if you knew him. 96th BG, 339th BOMB SQDN Looking for info on a B-17 crew lost on April 21, 44, over France. Do you happen to have any members from that squadron or group? Any leads at all would be very helpful. Thank you very much. --A neighbor in Derry, NH. Email: [email protected] For comments, send email to the Vapor Trails Editor at: [email protected] Visit the new Vapor Trails Mailbag! Our Favorite Links Google Mighty Eighth Air Force Public Message Board Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum �Ken Nellis' page devoted to the 453rd BG [ Page 2 - More Chapter Notes ]�� [ Page 3 - Thoughts from the Wild and Blue ] Previous issues: April 2000 � October 1999 Last Update: September 26, 2000 �
�Warthogs,Tall Ships and A Veterans' Park� By Jack Brennan
How's that for a headline? It gives you a clue to the three biggest events thus far since our last edition and, pay attention back there, should be a tip-off to you that there is more to come!� (Message from our webmaster: To keep our website modem-friendly, we've split our newsletter into 3 pages.� Please click the sections below so you don't miss any of our Mighty Eighth news!)
Warthogs� (info for this story supplied by Jack Messerlian, 8th AFHS)�
Some members questioned whether the somewhat inferior seat was the result of economizing in the military.� Major Gebove noted that the life of the 104th aircraft has been extended by more frequent to complete overhauls.� Remember that our B-52s are supposed to have an 80 year life span.
Chapter members were served box lunches at the O Club so they could take them outside and watch on-going operations while eating.� All AFHS guests received a 50th Anniversary brochure commemorating the 104th length of service, a pilot's flight bag, a 104th key chain and other souvenirs.� Thanks to everyone who made our day at Barnes such a success.
We were impressed!� It is popular in some circles to downgrade Air National Guard pilots and personnel.� Those who do so fly in the face of history. The Commander of the 104th.
THE PERFECT CALM!
CREW OF THE "Brittany-O" GREETS AND TREATS 8thAFHS LUBBERS! (Boston Harbor}: The crew of the lobsterboat "Brittanty-O" somehow arranged perfect weather for the Mass. Chapters annual cruise of Quincy Bay, Boston Harbor and the dining tables of the Quincy Yacht Club. In a summer flawed by drizzle and downpours the weather did a 180 degree turn and brought bright skies, pleasant temperatures and calm waters so that veterans, members and guests could enjoy touring the harbor and seeing the tall ships up close.�
Teri Boyd coordinated the event with the skill of a president of General Motors. The "Brittany-O" was manned, or in point of fact also "womanned" by Captain Mark O'Meara,1st Mate Peggy O'Neil Simone, Richard Simone and Dianne O'Meara.�
Eighth Air Force Mass. Chapter members seek out the "Brittany-O" each year and, indeed, are sought out by them as we all enjoy each others company. Our own unsinkable Henry Oi deserves full credit for making sure the Chapter was included in the day of sail.�
Members sailing on the Tall Ships-Vets Day trip were Henry Oi, Al Ducey, Al Audette, John Brennan and wife Anne, Jack McKernan and wife Maggie, Dag Morse, Tom Powers, Pete Diamond, Eric Morse, Lionel LeBlanc and Esther Jackson, Jack Messerlin, Pres. Bill Campbell, Lou Smith, Ed Johnson, Dick Connor, Gerry Coletta, Charlie Crespi, Henry Bengis, Bob Grahn, Cal Campbell, and Don Pryor.
We were also honored by having aboard a news crew from WBZ-TV, Channel 4. Familiar face Bill Shields reported events from the "Brittany-O" and news photographer Janet Johnson filmed everything and everyone in sight.
There were more than a dozen lobster boats at the dock at the Quincy Yacht Club and plenty of volunteers when we arrived.� Muscle power was needed to help wheelchair bound vets from various VA hospitals get down the gangway and onto the boats.� Even some of us Chapter members were grateful for a helping hand getting aboard O'Mearas's ark and into our seats. (Make that ALL of us!)
The Quincy Salvation Army was ready to serve coffee and doughnuts to those waiting to board.� Major Ed and Flo Forsters ably assisted by Gladys Brown and Bonnie Hepburn had a smile for everyone to go with the java and pastries.
There were plenty of volunteers from the Quincy Police Patrolman's Association, the Harvey Salt Water Fishing Club, the harbormaster and his assistants, the city's marine unit and police boats.� The state's Environmental Police helped escort the Veteran's Convoy.� Veterans' groups from the area were at hand to lend a hand.� (If we've left anybody out it's because there were so many helpers from both government and the Quincy social organizations like the DAV that it was hard to keep track of them all.
The lobsterboats formed a column and we left Hough's Neck, sailed under the Long Island Bridge and past Castle Island.� We were up close and personal to almost every Tall Ship at anchor in the harbor or tied to the wharves.� A police boat and a medical boat escorted us.
It didn't take long for Lionel LeBlanc to begin singing "The Army Air Corp Song" and other familiar airs.� Most joined in with him and no one jumped overboard.� When we pulled up alongside the US Constitution the Honor Guard aboard "Old Ironsides" was scheduled to fire a salute with the cannon but due to crowded conditions on the water the contented themselves with standing at attention and giving us a grand salute.� We in turn sang "God Bless America" at the top of our lungs.� People aboard other ships and boats in the area quickly and loudly joined in.� The TV crew loved it and we were all on the evening news.
We returned to the Quincy Yacht Club and had a fine luncheon.� The Gillette Company presented all the Chapter members and their guests with shopping bags filled with Gillette products.
We headed for home and a seat in front of the TV for the six o'clock news on WBZ-TV.� I wonder how many of those who enjoyed the wonderful trip were able to stay awake to see it again at eleven o'clock.� Guess that's why God made VCRs. We were all so honored.
A Veterans' Park, A Town's Heart!�
August 12, 2000 was a marvelous day for those Chapter members who traveled to the town of Athol located near the beginning of the Mohawk Trail. Chapter member Vincent "Bill" Purple, president of the Athol Veterans Park Development Corporation, invited members to take part in a dedication ceremony for Athol's Veterans Park. About twenty of us responded to the invitation and were certainly not sorry we did so.�
Chapter members met at Hanscom Field to car pool or made their own way to that pleasant community. We rendezvoused at the regional high school and heard that the parade would be without marchers or bands. Those of us who had never been to this fine community wondered why.�
The members of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society rode on a bunting decorated flatbed with our insignia displayed. Music was furnished by a loudspeaker truck playing martial music and by citizens playing CDs here and there along the parade route. Naturally they were all playing the same marches!�
Athol, as befits a town on the edge of the Berkshires, has very steep hills. It would have been impossible for the older vets who made up the majority of the parade to navigate them.�
Your editor was seated between his wife, Anne, and Chapter member Chester Bemis, a B-17 tail gunner with the 305BG, who sold ice cream in Athol for many years. Just about every one of the spectators knew him and called out his name, friendly greetings and happy thoughts. Your editor thought he was sitting beside a noted politician but Chester was not a pol, simply a nice patriotic gentleman whom everyone loved.��
Athol had an eyesore edifice in the center of town. Fore thinking and patriotic residents arranged to get it, tear it down and construct a most handsome Veterans' Park complete with flags, flowerbeds and fountains. The building of the park was a full community effort.�
The Dedication Ceremony was marked by unabashed patriotism. Your chapter members loved seeing it! Bill Purple began the dedication with a speech of welcome. Then The American Legion presented the colors. Connie Zani who works with Bill led us all in the Pledge of Allegiance and Pastor Mark Bariloni gave a patriotic invocation.�
Four pastors representing four faiths read a remembrance of the sinking of the troopship "USAT Dorchester" in WW2. This was the submarine sinking immortalized by the gallant and pious actions of the four chaplains who were last seen as the deck became awash embracing each other and praying. They had given their life vests to GIs who were without them.�
This was most poignant to your editor and his wife for our youngest grandson, James Quinn Brennan, is named for his mother's uncle, a GI who went down with the "Dorchester".�
There was a singing of the National Anthem, a number of speakers, a flag raising ceremony by the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces with their anthems being sung by the Athol Veterans Park Chorus. There followed the planting of a "Time Capsule" by the Rotary, a benediction by Father Ray Messier and then everyone sang " God Bless America" led by the Athol Veterans Park Chorus.�
After that the area Elks Club served up a grand chicken barbecue back at the picnic area of their clubhouse. Servings were so lavish that only a few of your chapters' great eaters went back for seconds.�
The 8th AFHS salutes Bill Purple and all those involved in this truly stirring day. It brought every one of us back to a more decent America where patriotism, honor, loyalty and family and neighborhood values were something to be upheld and not cast down. Let's hear it again for Athol!
WORDS TO REMEMBER (We printed this before but it is so important we are printing it again.)
Those who turn their weapons into plowshares� wind up pulling the plows for those who didn't.
Do you have a story to tell about your experiences with the Eighth?� Funny or sad, all stories are welcome.� You don't have to be an Ace or one who shot down Nazis galore from his tail turret. Those who flew a desk or cooked the chow for the troops have their stories to tell, also because they were very important people as we like to think we all were.
Can the Eighth Air Force Family be of help?� These people would like to hear from you.
8865th AIR ENG. SQDN. Patricia is looking for info about her father, Robert Vizi, Pennsylvania, 7th photop ren. AAF Sta. 234.� He died when Patricia was 14 and she would like some anecdotes to tell his grandchildren.� He was also with 27 Photo Ren. in the Korean War.� Email [email protected] or [email protected] if you knew him.
96th BG, 339th BOMB SQDN Looking for info on a B-17 crew lost on April 21, 44, over France. Do you happen to have any members from that squadron or group? Any leads at all would be very helpful. Thank you very much. --A neighbor in Derry, NH. Email: [email protected]
For comments, send email to the Vapor Trails Editor at: [email protected]
Our Favorite Links
Google Mighty Eighth Air Force Public Message Board Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum �Ken Nellis' page devoted to the 453rd BG [ Page 2 - More Chapter Notes ]�� [ Page 3 - Thoughts from the Wild and Blue ] Previous issues: April 2000 � October 1999 Last Update: September 26, 2000 �
Previous issues:
April 2000 � October 1999
Last Update: September 26, 2000
�
The Eighth Air Force Historical Society
