Anniversary ceremony brings joy, tears

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Stevens
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (ACCNS) --  A flurry of voices surrounded the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Oct. 3, from which anecdotes of glory days and war stories abounded.

These voices belonged to members of the Berlin Airlift Veterans Association who were there to commemorate the Berlin Airlift's 60th anniversary through two memorial dedications.

The memorials, a display case of Berlin Airlift-era artifacts and an outdoor plaque, struck the chords of the veterans present for their inductions as part of the museum's legacy.

"It means quite a bit," said retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Fred Hall, BAVA director of programs and reunions. "We were part of the first battle of the Cold War, and these displays help preserve that piece of history."

The display case was the first memorial unveiled by BAVA members and Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson, SDASM director.

As they pulled the curtain down, Sergeant Wilson spoke of the display's significance and later explained the work on the project spanned months and took the efforts of many.

Inside the display case, a mannequin sports the duty uniform of a 1948 Airman and is surrounded by trinkets from the war, German memorabilia, Hummel figurines, a diorama of a C-54 Skymaster delivering food to East Berliners and even a candy bar with a parachute - homage to retired Air Force Col. Gail Halvorsen, the now-famous Berlin Airlift "Candy Bomber."

The display also is surrounded by poems written by Sergeant Hall and has a dedication marker directly below it for retired Air Force Lt. Col. Charles Childs, a member of the Berlin Airlift forces and local Rapid City, S.D., veteran.

Overcome with emotion, Colonel Childs said, "I'm proud to say I was one of them. This dedication was a shock to me. I retired from Ellsworth in 1961 and come here quite frequently. Now, to see my name in the museum, it blows my mind; it's hard to even talk about it."

Shortly after, the next dedication took place for an outdoor plaque on the museum's west side near its static C-54.

Dr. Earl Moore, BAVA president, read the names of the 31 American casualties of the airlift as a bell was rang for each and, while visibly shaken and teary-eyed, said of them, "They shall not grow old as we will. We will remember them as young and handsome. At the going down and rising of the sun - we will remember them."

The plaque, draped in parachute material, was then unveiled as members of the 28th Bomb Wing Honor Guard delivered a three-gun salute and a bugler played taps.

It showcases a brief history of the airlift itself, the "Candy Bomber" and several photos from the operation, which spanned from June 24, 1948 to May 12, 1949.

For some, the dedications meant keeping history alive as well as lost loved ones.

"In October 1948, when I was only 20, my brother, James Vaughn, died in the airlift," said Bess Etter, BAVA member. "I don't think many people realize there were 31 American victims. We try to remind people of their sacrifices so it stays in their hearts and memories."

The final event of the day was a luncheon for the association held at the Dakota's club with guest speaker Dr. Helmut Trotnow, Berlin Allied Museum director.

After attendees finished their meals, Col. Peter Castor, 28th Bomb Wing vice commander, introduced Dr. Trotnow and addressed the veterans saying, "You are truly the history and heritage behind our Air Force. You set the example for today's Airmen."

Next, Dr. Trotnow, a boy during the Airlift who actually caught some of the "Candy Bomber's" candy, approached the podium.

The task of a museum is not to create future historians, he said. We do it for the young and coming generations. We all look forward, but to understand our lives, we must all look back sometimes. America wasn't in Europe for conquering or domination. They were serious about defending our principles of freedom and democracy. [The Allies] didn't make promises, but they did do what they promised. We have made great achievements, and the Berlin Airlift was one. [The oppressors] would never have dreamed Berlin would have reemerged as it has. Without your help, this would never have taken place.