Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Donations...

Carl Scholl and Cory O'Bryan

Without the donation of the B-17 wing panel by Carl Scholl of Aero Trader in March 2010,  the 384th Bomb Group wouldn't be able to have a project like this for its veterans. Carl understood what this would mean to the veterans and made a special effort to help them by donating the B-17 wing panel to the Group. And for that we will always be deeply appreciative of him and remember his heartfelt contribution.

Carl Scholl,  August 2010



















Cory O'Bryan, August 2010
Cory O'Bryan, who works at Fighter Rebuilders as an aircraft restorer, made the panel special with his beautiful hand painted artwork, accurately depicting the squadron emblems and Group markings, evoking the special time that our country fought in WWII.  The veterans love these images and we're very appreciative of Cory donating his time and talent for these heroes every time we see and display the panel. Without these images, the wing panels connection to the Group's storied past and lore would not be possible.

Our Special Hosts

The project would not be possible except for some very generous and caring people in the Group, and for that we can all be thankful that such people exist. These people have donated their time and financial support, physically transporting the B-17 wing panel themselves to the veterans as Hosts.  The Hosts are wonderful people who volunteer to bring the B-17 wing panel to each veteran that wants to sign the panel. It takes a great deal of love, time, care, and commitment to do this. And so being a special person or persons is the main requirement to be a Host for the panel. They have made it possible for the project to be shipped our veterans. The panel has been made available for signing by the Hosts in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas.

The following people have been Hosts for the project and have provided the panel to our veterans to sign or have taken care of the panel or have helped to ship it:

Fred and Gail Preller
Gordon Preller
Frank and Carol Alfter
Tom and Linda Rowley
Dennis and Patricia Bielskis
Sheldon Vernon
Ray Lustig and Susan Taylor

A special thanks also to Ken Decker who provided the project a copy of his list of veterans addresses and phone numbers he created during his own incredible research project interviewing veterans and documenting the stories and lore of the veterans of the 384th Bomb Group. This list was instrumental in reaching veterans in the Northeast that weren't members of the 384th BG, Inc. His support and encouragement was especially helpful.

Also, we have to thank the Pima Air Museum and the 390th Bomb Group Memorial Museum for providing their assistance in receiving and shipping the panel, as well as the Branson Military Museum who also assisted as a receiving and shipping address.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

384th BG Reunion in Branson, Missouri
September 11-13, 2010.

The panel was brought to the 384th Bomb Group Reunion in Branson, Missouri where it was signed for the first time.
In the photo below, the veterans that signed are from left to right: Gene Goodrick, Don Hilliard, Peter Bielskis, Jack Goetz, Buddy Ferrell, Bob Naum, Harry Swift, Henry Sienkiewicz, Bill Wilkens and Gene Voiland.

The following pictures were taken during the signing at the 384th Bomb Group Reunion at Branson, Missouri on September 10-13, 2010:

Eugene Voiland Signing - Branson 2010



  

 


Bill Wilkens Signing - Branson 2010
 
Don Hilliard Signing - Branson 2010

Gene Goodrick Signing - Branson 2010

Harry Swift Signing - Branson 2010

Buddy Ferrell Signing - Branson 2010

Henry Sienkiewicz Signing - Branson 2010

Peter Bielskis Signing - Branson 2010

Jack Goetz Signing - Branson 2010

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

California Signing Events  - March 2011
B-17 Panel Host was Christopher Wilkinson.

C. Allyn Lewis


Roy Snyder Signing with C. Allyn Lewis

C. Allyn Lewis and Roy Snyder

Jack Kushner Signing

Jack Kushner

Robert Thacker Signing

Robert Thacker

William Connally Signing

William Connally

Seymour Fainberg Signing with wife Marta.

Seymour and Marta Fainberg

Monday, December 27, 2010

California Signing Events - May 2011
B-17 Panel Host was Christopher Wilkinson

Angelo Sabella Signing

Angelo Sabella

Arthur Beese Signing

Arthur and Josephine Beese

Don Brooks Signing

Don Brooks

Don Brooks with His Original A-2 Jacket.

Noal Long Signing

Noal and Joanne Long

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Arizona Signing Events - October 2010
B-17 Panel Host was Christopher Wilkinson


Leonard Estrin Signing

Leonard and Helen Estrin

Carl Phillips Signing

Carl Phillips

Philip Castro Signing

Philip Castro
DeWayne "Ben" Bennett Signing

Ben Bennett

Saturday, December 25, 2010

384th BG Reunion in Seattle, Washington
October 6-9, 2011

Chuck Fleenor Signs the Panel
Charles Fleenor

Bill Wiley Signs the Panel

Bill Wiley

Daniel Walton Signs the Panel

Daniel Walton

Les Amundson Signs the Panel

Les Amundson

Peter Bielskis, Bill Wilkens, Arsdel Fluesmeier

Crewmates Peter Bielskis and Arsdel Fluesmeier


Arsdel Fluesmeier Signs the Panel


Vanny Squier Signs the Panel
Vanny Squier

Verle Roth Signs the Panel

Verle Roth



Bill O'Leary Signs the Panel

Bill O'Leary
L to R, Front: Harry Swift, Vanny Squier, Arsdel Fluesmeier, Les Amundson, Bill Wiley
Backrow: Charles Fleenor, Bill Wilkens, Verle Roth, Daniel Walton, Henry Sienkiewicz, Bill O'Leary, Peter Bielskis,
Rick Richert and Gene Goodrick. Not shown but attending: Jack Goetz.