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.....Veterans’ Day comes this Wednesday and I think it only appropriate to define its meaning, now and in the coming days for those who need to be reminded. There aren’t too many of us left who fought in WWII. During WWII (1941-1945), over 65 years ago, lost in the memories of many Americans and memories never having existed in many more, I was fortunate enough to be called to defend our country by President Roosevelt’s declaration of war after the holocaust of Pearl Harbor.
…..Following my training, I was assigned to VB110, as part of Fleet Air Wing Seven—the “B” meaning “bombing”—I never could figure out what the “V” was all about, unless it stood for “Victory” which I doubt. My rank was Aviation Radioman Second Class and my job was to fly combat missions as a radio and radar man and tail gunner out of Dunkeswell, England in a B-24 Liberator. We had no rocket engines on the plane—only four propellers and twelve 50 caliber machine guns. It was sufficient. After every ten missions our crew of eight, our “band of brothers,” was given a three day pass to London.
…..Now, you have to understand that after ten combat missions over several weeks, our primary aim in spending our “leave” to London was not to go there as a tourist. Our education was limited and we had no knowledge of English history and we had very little interest in sightseeing. Our goals were A) to get drunk, and B) to seek female favors. “A” was easy, “B” was even easier. All one needed to get drunk were a few shillings. All one needed for female favors were silk stockings, some chocolates, some cigarettes and perhaps a shilling or two as well. In London there were plenty of pubs in the vicinity of Picadilly Circus and plenty of girls in these pubs and on the side streets. After all, the statue of Eros, god of love, was planted in the center of Picadilly.
.....Veterans’ Day comes this Wednesday and I think it only appropriate to define its meaning, now and in the coming days for those who need to be reminded. There aren’t too many of us left who fought in WWII. During WWII (1941-1945), over 65 years ago, lost in the memories of many Americans and memories never having existed in many more, I was fortunate enough to be called to defend our country by President Roosevelt’s declaration of war after the holocaust of Pearl Harbor.
…..Following my training, I was assigned to VB110, as part of Fleet Air Wing Seven—the “B” meaning “bombing”—I never could figure out what the “V” was all about, unless it stood for “Victory” which I doubt. My rank was Aviation Radioman Second Class and my job was to fly combat missions as a radio and radar man and tail gunner out of Dunkeswell, England in a B-24 Liberator. We had no rocket engines on the plane—only four propellers and twelve 50 caliber machine guns. It was sufficient. After every ten missions our crew of eight, our “band of brothers,” was given a three day pass to London.
…..Now, you have to understand that after ten combat missions over several weeks, our primary aim in spending our “leave” to London was not to go there as a tourist. Our education was limited and we had no knowledge of English history and we had very little interest in sightseeing. Our goals were A) to get drunk, and B) to seek female favors. “A” was easy, “B” was even easier. All one needed to get drunk were a few shillings. All one needed for female favors were silk stockings, some chocolates, some cigarettes and perhaps a shilling or two as well. In London there were plenty of pubs in the vicinity of Picadilly Circus and plenty of girls in these pubs and on the side streets. After all, the statue of Eros, god of love, was planted in the center of Picadilly.
.....My crew usually stayed together...just in case there was trouble in the pubs. Sailors were known to get into brawls with marines...and vice-versa. And in the event one or two of us got drunk on the day we were supposed to return to base, they would be taken care of. This kind of adventure is only a small part of what it means to be a veteran. It's what we did. We did it together.
.....Stay tuned.........
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