Memphis Belle Revisited
Posted by Chaplain Campbell. Filed in Active Duty, Chaplains, Families, Fun Stuff, Information, Life Lessons, National Guard, News, Parents, Reserves, Spouses, Stories, Uncategorized, Veterans, Wounded Warriors |
As we approached Starbucks out of breath from our morning jog (someday we may be holding signs saying, “Will jog for coffee!”) my wife and I noticed an older couple ahead of us in line. A bit stooped with age, the lady had help from her husband, grey-headed and, in contrast to our sweaty state from the jog, curiously wearing a sweater on this bright and warm morning. But more interesting yet was his hat, stating boldly, “WORLD WAR II” and under that “VIET NAM.”
Never one to pass up some potentially great conversation, as we approached this couple at the cream and sugar area of Starbucks, I finally had to ask about his service … after all, it was Memorial Day Weekend. I found out he did serve in both WWII and Viet Nam and that he was an Air Force bombardier on B-17 bombers, the same as portrayed in the movie, “Memphis Belle.” We spoke about that amazing aircraft, so essential to the war in Europe in WWII, about Norden Bombsights, and about his flying missions out of Italy.
When I asked about the food in Italy there was a pause, his wife shrugged her shoulders, and I suggested that perhaps there wasn’t much food during the war. With a mildly dismissive look he said, “Well, we had C-Rations.” Like millions of others who fought in that war, and like so many others in the Army Air Forces, as the Air Force was known during WWII, he fought on when many had given their lives. In fact, the Army Air Forces lost more officers than any other service during WWII.
All this sank in more fully as later in the weekend my wife and I and our daughter and her Army husband watched “Memphis Belle.” What bravery was shown in the face of danger; what determination to give and give and give … so today we can enjoy a pleasant conversation with some living American history, right in the middle of a cheery Starbucks coffee shop.
