Today I attended the 66th Annual Doolittle Raider’s Luncheon, which was held at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum. Of the 80 men who made the first WWII strike on Japan’s homeland, 11 of the gents are still alive and 6 of the men were there today.
At my table were Col. Jimmy Doolittle III, Jimmy Doolittle’s Grandson, who served in the Air Force for his entire career beginning in 1967, the son of David Thatcher, a couple of folks from University of Texas at Dallas, where General Doolittle’s Medal of Honor is on display, and my new friend, Jerry. Jerry is a WWII Veteran who served on a small carrier and was part of the last raid on Japan as a gunner.
I adopted Jerry for the day, helping him get signatures of all the raiders. Jerry was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by the way…..I got his contact info and owe him some of these pictures. I also want to spend some time chatting with him about his experiences.
Speaking of experiences, I also got contact info from a couple of other WWII vets.
Gov. Rick Perry was a speaker there. I wasn’t expecting that….He was shaking hands and practically kissing babies. He is the son of a B17 Pilot…. He announced his intention to run for a third term by the way.
There is something about this generation of men, by the way, that I adore. Not the Governor, though it was an honor to meet the Governor of Texas and shake his hand. I’m talking about how much I simply adore talking with the men that served in World War II.
This gentleman, Bill Bower, was the Pilot on plane #12….and was still so full of vim and vinegar at 91. He held my hand as he talked to me 
I had really thought about backing out because as much as I enjoyed the lecture the other night, I felt out of place as it seemed as if everyone already knew everyone. But I am so glad I did go…… I feel so centered and good about where my writing plans are……
IF you know of any WWII Veteran’s who are willing to chat with me….I’d love to talk about their experiences. Please contact me (deb.smouseATgmailDOTcom)
More stories and pictures later…..
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Ah, I would have loved to meet those guys. My grandfather was a B-25 pilot in the South Pacific. He’s gone now, but I have been lucky enough to get to know his tail gunner, who lives in the next town over.
-Rob.