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He never stopped. It became his mission in life. For 55 years, over half a century, Major Richard L. Felman of the United States Air Force worked ceaselessly to do one thing: to repay a debt of gratitude... As we in America just commemorated Veteran’s Day and are getting ready to celebrate our Thanksgiving, it is our turn to remember and say “Thank You” to a man that we who knew him will never forget. Writing these things is never easy, especially when you are trying to properly honor the life and work of someone you knew personally and liked...

Major Richard L. Felman U.S.A.F. May 29, 1921 - November 13, 1999 Major Richard Felman and Aleksandra Rebic General Mihailovich's 100th Birthday Celebration April 23, 1993 Chicago, IL U.S.A. He never stopped. It became his mission in life. For 55 years, over half a century, Major Richard L. Felman of the United States Air Force worked ceaselessly to do one thing: to repay a debt of gratitude and to say "Thank You" in a most meaningful way. As we in America just commemorated Veteran’s Day and are getting ready to celebrate our Thanksgiving, it is our turn to remember and...

General Draza Mihailovich Major Richard L. Felman, USAF ***** Aleksandra's Note: The following memoir was first published in 1964 by Major Richard L. Felman of the United States Air Force. It is his personal true story of his extraordinary experiences during World War Two. It is also the story of the great Serbian patriot and Western Ally General Draza Mihailovich and the Serbs who saved the lives of over 500 Americans who were shot down over Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia in 1944. In honor of Memorial Day 2011 it's worthwhile to revisit this moment in history. As much as his story honors...

Halyard Mission veterans Major Richard Felman and Lt. Col. Milton Friend of the USAF reunite at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Halyard Mission in Chicago, IL U.S.A. May 1994. This celebration was included in the week long 50th Anniversary commemoration of D-Day. Photo by Aleksandra RebicAleksandra's Note: As the legal proceedings to historically "rehabilitate" General Draza Mihailovich and elevate him to his proper place and standing are set to resume in Belgrade, Serbia on October 29, 2010, I wanted to share a never before published photo of two great Halyard Mission veterans who reunited at the wonderful 50th anniversary...

Richard L. Felman, U.S.A.F. Aleksandra's Note: The following testimony by Richard Felman of the United States Air Force, a decorated WWII veteran, was given while General Draza Mihailovich was still alive. Mihailovich had been captured by Tito's Yugoslav communist forces in March of 1946, and his trial in Belgrade began on June 10th of that year. On July 15th, after a sham trial, he was "convicted". On July 16th he appealed the verdict, and the appeal was rejected. On July 17th, 1946, General Mihailovich was executed by the communists in his beloved Belgrade. His murder had a galvanizing effect on...

A Tribute to Major Richard L. Felman, of the United States Air Force, for the 10th Anniversary of his passing in honor of Veterans Day, 2009 Major Richard L. Felman U.S.A.F. May 29, 1921 - November 13, 1999 Major Felman, kneeling and saluting, as the wreath is laid at the eternal flame in Daley Plaza, Chicago, for the 50th Anniversary commemoration of "Operation Halyard", May 1994. Photo by A. Rebic. He never stopped. It became his mission in life. For 55 years, over half of the 20th Century, Major Richard L. Felman of the United States Air Force worked ceaselessly...

MAJOR RICHARD L. FELMAN OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE FEATURED SPEAKER AT THE 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE HALYARD MISSION RESCUE OPERATION CHICAGO, ILLINOIS May 31, 1994 Transcription of Major Felman's Speech by Aleksandra Rebic ***** “Distinguished guests… Very Distinguished guests… Reverend Clergy… Fellow airmen who were with me when we were shot downover Yugoslavia in 1944 and Bracho i Sestre (Brothers and Sisters)… Before I say a single word, I must first express my everlasting gratitude to the City of Chicago and the Department of Defense today, for honoring the Halyard Mission. Until now, one of the most...

Fifteen years ago on May 31st, 1994, Serbs and Americans commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Halyard Mission rescue operation, a glorious moment in their common history as allies. As we mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day with so many of our American and Serbian WWII veterans that celebrated together that day in May of 1994 no longer with us, let's remember them, their heroism, and the historical milestone they shared... Aleksandra Rebic____________________________________ Americans and Serbs from all over the United States and Canada gathered together on May 31, 1994 in Chicago to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 'Halyard...

General Draza Mihailovich in the hills of Serbia WW II Photo of Major Richard Felman, U.S.A.F. (Ret.) by Mari Shaefer. Richard L. Felman stands before a Douglas C-47 Sky Train, a plane similar to the C-47 transports used to evacuate 500 U.S. fliers from Yugoslavia during World War II. The photo was taken at Pima Air Museum in Tucson, Arizona. To the group of stranded American airmen he rescued during World War II, the Serbian guerrilla leader who once graced the cover of Time Magazine deserves a monument on federal land in Washington, D.C. To others, including Croatian-Americans, he’s a...

Note: As America celebrates Veteran's Day this November of 2007 when things are so volatile in the world, it's good to hear from the veterans themselves about what remains most memorable about their service in the United States Military. WORLD WAR TWO VETERAN MAJOR RICHARD L. FELMAN OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE IS A FEATURED SPEAKER AT THE HALYARD MISSION 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN CHICAGO, IL. May 31, 1994 Before I say a single word, I must first express my everlasting gratitude to the City of Chicago and the Department of Defense today, for honoring the Halyard Mission. Until...