There is an air museum in Galveston, Texas that flies several WWII era planes, including one of the few B-17's still flying. $500.00 for a 1/2 hour flight. Several years ago, a B-17 & a Heinkel HE-111 were at the Sikorsky Airport in Stratford CT, which is a historic area where WWII fighter planes (the Corsair) and engines for US Army vehicles were built. I went on board the B17 and was instantly transported to another time, another place. I could smell the hydraulic oil, the engine oil, and the avgas, and I evidently imagined that I could smell the cordite and the sweat and fear of the crew that flew on this particular plane during the war. It was as if, to me, my dad was there with me, giving me insight into those very long missions, the hours of boredom, and then the minutes of intense, brutal, and often deadly aerial combat. He carried in his pocket a 1922 "Liberty Walking" (the year he was born) silver dollar, which was his good luck charm. By the grace of God, he made it through and came home. Many years later, he was able to get a "new" 1922 silver dollar, and carried it in his pocket for a while. Then, he put it away, and again carried the one that he carried during the war. I asked him why he put the new one away and resumed carrying the old one, and he said, "it didn't feel right". (He played "pocket pool" with his pocket change). I have the honor of having both of them, the "old" one, which is so worn that the only thing readable on it is the last "2" of the date, 1922. All of the rest is worn completely off, both front & back. The "new" one is virtually pristine, as he only carried it for a short time. I am sure that a lot of other soldiers, airmen, marines, and naval personnel carried similar tokens with them throughout their service. I had one during my time. I hope that the sons and/or daughters of these great Americans have something of their fathers to hold on to, as i have of mine. We all owe our freedom to them, and we should never forget them. I have tried to pass his ( and others like him) legacy on to my children, and I believe that I have succeeded in doing so. Never forget the Greatest Generation.
EDIT: Sorry, the picture didn't work
