Thanks for the encouragement! I’m not giving up. I love these guys—not only have the pilots been forgotten, but their amazing ground crews have been terribly neglected. So many of them developed serious health problems and have gotten the run around.
I was honored that Leo Thorsness, awarded the Medal of Honor, contacted me and also encouraged me. He has been a great source of inspiration...as have all the other F-105 pilots I have had the honor of meeting or becoming email pals.
It is an emotional journey for me...to hear their stories...to feel their frustration that their bravery has not been recognized.
Speaking as a Thud Drivers daughter, I have to agree with you. Thud Drivers, single seat and the Wild Weasel teams, have not received the recognition they deserve. Their story needs to be told before they are all gone. There is also absolutely no excuse for denying the Collins Foundation the opportunity to get a Thud flying again. My dad has taken his final flight west, but I have many dear friends associated with the Thud. Only those in the Thud Family truly understand how exceptional these men are/were. God bless them all.