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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Berlin Airlift Part 4 ~ July 28, 2008
Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World | StarCMC and Salty

Posted on 07/27/2008 5:00:15 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!
 
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.
 
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~ Hall of Heroes ~

60th Anniversary of the

Berlin Airlift
Part 4

All info and photos from this website.

ArmyPatch small   NavySeal small   Air Force Seal   Marines Seal small   Coast Guard Seal small (better)
Berlin Airlift Veterans Return to Germany for Anniversary
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
Special to American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, June 27, 2008 – For 50 years, Dub Southers recalled the grueling hours he worked at an air base in northern Germany at the start of the Berlin Airlift, not the historical significance of what he helped to achieve as a flight engineer and crew chief.

He remembered well the coal being shipped in from local coal fields, the 196 missions he flew over Berlin and being a 20-year-old Air Force staff sergeant keeping the C-54 Skymaster aircraft flying.

"Coal was our basic cargo," said Southers, now 81 and living in Texas. "Occasionally, we flew flour, but I can't recall anything other than coal."

It wasn't until 1998 that Southers started really thinking about the importance of the airlift mission, which lasted from June 1948 to May 1949 and provided vital resources to the German city cut in half by Soviet rule, he said.

As the anniversary approached, he asked his daughter to search online for activities happening in Berlin. Her search found the Berlin Airlift Veterans Association, and he became its secretary.

He ended up visiting Germany that year for the 50th anniversary, and he and seven other association members have returned to take part in 60th anniversary observances.

They will re-enact the first flight of the airlift, he said, and visit the memorial at Rhein-Main Air Base, get on a C-47 and fly the corridor from Frankfurt to Templehof Air Base in Berlin, where there will be another memorial service.

"I was amazed [in 1998] how much progress had been made in the Western sector of Berlin, and how little had been made in the Eastern Zone at that time," he said. "By the time I went again in 2004, it was better, though, and quite a bit more had been done."

In November 1948, Germany was much different. Southers arrived at Celle Air Base from his duty station at McChord Field, Wash., as part of the initial group of airmen sent in for the airlift mission. The Memphis, Tenn., native said he couldn't believe the amount of fog that blanketed the area.

"That was really surprising to me," he said. "It was actually a very nice area. After a few months, when we had enough people, we were allowed to go off base into the town, where there were actually some good places to eat and catch a show."

The area hadn't been bombed. "I heard that the British monarchy actually owned a castle in the area," Southers said, "and they didn't want that destroyed."

Those short trips to the city were a brief respite from the busy work hours that dominated Southers' time at Celle Air Base. The base was located near coal fields, which were connected to the base. A platform was built right onto the bays along the flightline so the coal could be stacked and supplied to the aircraft right away.
The team of airmen was very short of personnel, especially mechanics, Southers recalled.

"When I first got over there, we were working around the clock, 12 [hours] on, 12 off, seven days a week. They eventually hired local German aircraft mechanics who worked alongside us. I remember them being very good, as they were older and more experienced."

Southers returned to the United States in July 1949. He left the military after three years, earned a degree in chemical engineering and settled down with his family. He now works as part-owner of a small software company.

"I didn't even think about [the Berlin Airlift] much," he said. "I'm not even sure that my family knew I was involved in it until a few years before the 50th anniversary. Of course, the history books didn't have much about it either."

He said by observing the anniversary and remembering the 31 Americans who died in aircraft accidents during the mission, Americans learn about the importance of the Berlin Airlift.

"At this point, I'm very proud of being a part of it," he said. "I know that we affected history big-time. We call it the first victory of the Cold War. Because of the Berlin Airlift, Europe is free. All of Europe would have ended up communist if we were run out."

He said during his first return to Germany, Germans actually approached him with appreciation.

"We were wearing caps that identified us as Berlin Airlift veterans, and I don't know how many times we were stopped and thanked for what we did," he said.

He also pointed out that the Air Force today and the way it does business is shaped by the Berlin Airlift mission.

"The cargo aircraft today was designed based upon lessons we learned," he said. "At least, that's what they tell us. The technology has changed, but a lot about the airlift mission today is based upon what we learned back then."

Today's Air Force senior leaders agree the Berlin Airlift was a huge moment for the service.

"The Berlin Airlift was a seminal moment for airpower and a pivotal event in world history," said Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, the Air Force vice chief of staff, during a recent ceremony honoring another Berlin Airlift airman, retired Col. Gail Halvorsen, also known as "the Candy Bomber" for his drops of candy and chocolate for local children. "It showed the deep compassion of the American people and sent a message of hope and liberty to Berliners and to freedom-loving people around the world."

Southers said he does not feel like a hero, despite the pride he and fellow airmen share about their role in the mission.

"The real heroes were the German people in Berlin who suffered the things they put up with in the Eastern Zone," he said. "People just disappeared under the communist rule, because they were speaking out for freedom. We provided what they needed to get by. They are the ones who held out and persevered."

(Air Force Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein serves in the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office.)

Veterans honor Berlin Airlift's 60th anniversary
     
by Staff Sgt. Jason David
Air Force News Agency Det. 4


6/27/2008 - BERLIN (AFPN) -- American, British and French veterans have returned to Germany to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.

Dr. Helmut Trotnow, the curator of the Allied Museum in Berlin, attributed part of the dissolution of the Soviet blockade to the U.S. armed forces involved in the airlift.

"This is not just an aspect of history in the books, but it's flesh and blood human beings," he said. "They had feelings. They had hopes. They had thoughts. They had ideas, and you know if they hadn't had stuck to their ideas of freedom and democracy, the Berlin Airlift might not have been a success."

The Berlin Airlift kicked off with Operation Vittles. Its mission was to supply roughly 1,500 tons worth of goods daily to keep more than 2 million East Berliners alive while under Soviet occupation. West Berlin was occupied by Allied interests: the United States, Great Britain and France.

In June 1948, the newly created U.S. Air Force, with help from the French and British air forces reacted to the blockade with continual daily flights that dropped much needed food and supplies into the city of West Berlin. On May 12, 1949, the Soviet government yielded and lifted the blockade.

"We had a job to do and we got it done," said retired Master Sgt. Jonny Macia, an aircraft maintainer from the airlift. "The crews were flying night and day. We had everybody doing their job, and at Templehoff, the planes were coming in about every 90 seconds. The aircraft were tearing up the runways, so the German's had men and women on the side with shovels and sand and tar filling up the holes. It took everyone to run the operation. At the time we just thought we needed to get it done."

The Airlift ended Sept. 30, 1949, 15 months after it started. In total, the U.S. and British aircrews delivered more than 2.3 million tons of goods from 277,569 flights to Berlin. Some historians say this "battle" saved more than 2.5 million people without firing a single shot.
Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: berlinairlift; candybomber; freepercanteen; harrytruman; military; tempelhof; troopsupport
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To: LUV W

Its all about love. The Ingredients arent all that important


221 posted on 07/27/2008 9:06:58 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of the Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife; msb; All

My favorite though, it is at my expense but what the heck, was years ago I had a patient who was NOT happy to be in res. care she was a tough cookie and no one could get her to talk and or be sociable in any way shape or form. We’ll to me those people I see as my biggest challenges and so I often stopped by just to basically talk to myself in front of her. I would tell her stories and ask questions but she would not answer,laugh at my FUNNY(HA) jokes,nothin. One day I went in gave her meds to her and sat down on her bed to talk. After a while I got up to head out and she started making this funky noise, her eyes were watering and she was shakin all over. It scared me at first but as I got closer she yelled look at your ass. I turned my head to look and felt my butt to find a peri pad stuck to me. LMAO Thank goodness it hadnt been used yet but this women and I talked daily from then on and we grew to love one another. She did also slowly begin to socialize with others.


222 posted on 07/27/2008 9:07:29 PM PDT by mainelydawn (laughter is the best medicine)
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To: LUV W; mylife

Ya gotta help me talk him into it!
LOL


223 posted on 07/27/2008 9:08:37 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: mylife; MS.BEHAVIN

It sure is...and I don’t know two other people who love to
cook and to talk about cooking and to talk about eating what
they cooked more than the two of you! :D


224 posted on 07/27/2008 9:08:56 PM PDT by luvie (Rest in Peace, Tony Snow...fellow FReeper and FRiend....woof......)
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To: mainelydawn

((((Mainelydawn))))


225 posted on 07/27/2008 9:09:10 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of the Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: LUV W

Last Year a Panamanian Lady.. treated my eyes by smearing Honey on them..the Redness and irritation was cleared up in 10 minutes..go Figure..


226 posted on 07/27/2008 9:10:50 PM PDT by philly-d-kidder (Kuwait where the Weather is always Partly Sandy!)
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To: LUV W

Aww... were just BS’ing


227 posted on 07/27/2008 9:11:14 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of the Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mainelydawn

That’s too funny!
Hey Dawn..
When you write to me, you must use my whole screen name..
Ms.Behavin, otherwise, your posts to “Ms.B” will go to somebody else!
LOL


228 posted on 07/27/2008 9:11:50 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: mylife; LUV W; msb

“its not the ingredients its what you put into it”
Your freakin kidding me right? This guy is not for real?LOL Must be some kinda jigalo or sumthin! LOL


229 posted on 07/27/2008 9:12:20 PM PDT by mainelydawn (laughter is the best medicine)
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To: mylife

LOL
Aw c’mon!
It’ll be fun!


230 posted on 07/27/2008 9:12:52 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: philly-d-kidder

Thats odd. not the honey part but that a woman from panama was there and that she did it


231 posted on 07/27/2008 9:13:13 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of the Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: AZamericonnie

I am lucky to have it off. Sorry you don’t but hey the paycheck is always nice!


232 posted on 07/27/2008 9:13:39 PM PDT by mainelydawn (laughter is the best medicine)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN; mylife
I'm tryin', Sis! :D
233 posted on 07/27/2008 9:14:32 PM PDT by luvie (Rest in Peace, Tony Snow...fellow FReeper and FRiend....woof......)
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To: LUV W; mylife

LOL
That’s true!
It’ll be a national bestseller!
*wishful thinking*


234 posted on 07/27/2008 9:15:07 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

Gosh I would love to work on that via email but I struggle so badly with typing.

My “El Conservo” Tribe names is “types with fists”


235 posted on 07/27/2008 9:15:39 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of the Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

Woops I get so ‘fused............LOL


236 posted on 07/27/2008 9:16:38 PM PDT by mainelydawn (laughter is the best medicine)
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To: philly-d-kidder

That is amazing. Maybe I should try that after being out
in one of our sandstorms! :D


237 posted on 07/27/2008 9:17:27 PM PDT by luvie (Rest in Peace, Tony Snow...fellow FReeper and FRiend....woof......)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

I know what sells, but marketing? I wouldnt know where to begin.


238 posted on 07/27/2008 9:17:37 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of the Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: philly-d-kidder; Allegra
You are nicely prepared. Have you reason to be out of your office every day?
Can you stay put until the blow is over?


239 posted on 07/27/2008 9:17:52 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: mylife

Let’s get it written first there, My!
The marketing stuff can come later!


240 posted on 07/27/2008 9:18:36 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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