Last night (Jun 11th), Rayann and I were graced with an unscheduled visit from two or our favorite people, Betty and Johnny Fridell.  They are off on another whirlwind tour of the United States with their well traveled and trusty trailer.  Through a series of changes in their plans they found themselves in a campground a few miles off the Pennsylvania Turnpike near our home.  Johnny remembered that we were from Beaver Falls and called.  We had a lovely visit enjoyed some coffee, tea and apple pie and sharing a few hours together like the old friends we are.  Isn’t this why we are a part of the 93rd?  We become friends and look forward to sharing our lives together.  We hope you will be like Betty and Johnny when you find yourselves near Beaver Falls.  We love to see our 93rd friends whenever we can.

Ted’s Travelling Circus by Carroll (Cal) Stewart is a tremendous resource.  As we marked the 66th anniversary of D-Day this week, I decided to reread Chapter 32, pages 331 to 336.  The facts are presented in a straight forward matter-of-fact way, but what a day that was.  The 93rd flew four D-Day missions involving 76 planes including War Goddess.  The radio operator on War Goddess was our very own Cal Davidson or more formally Sergeant Calvin Davidson (radio).  Cal, a farm boy from Oberlin, Ohio recorded his memories about the day’s Number Two mission to Coutances:  “We were crossing the Channel at 12,000 feet.  From England to the French coast, we saw below nothing but ships.  There were some clouds but visibility was quite good.  It seemed one could cross the Channel by hopping from ship-to-ship, there were so many vessels.”  Most of the War Goddess crew completed their duty tour on D-Day.  What a way to complete your missions!

Also mentioned in Cal Stewart’s account is a report about the Group surgeon’s activities on D-Day.  Major Bill Paine (Will Paine, the doctor’s son is active in the 93rd and will gladly tell you about his Dad’s exploits.) “announced he had benzedrine tablets for combatants needing to stay alert and sleeping pills for those needing to unwind.”  As Number Four mission was scrubbed and then back on again, the men shifted from the benzedrine line to the sleeping pill line and then back to the benzedrine line again.  What pill should I take?

I, too, took part in D-Day.  Well not the actual event in 1944 but the 50th Anniversary celebration in 1994.  Assigned to the United States Army in Germany, I was detailed to work on the logistics support for Task Force Green, the joint Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines force responsible for staging the ceremonies, welcoming the returning veterans, and providing the necessary support to assure a first class Memorial.  I lived for 30 days in the shadow of the American Military Cemetery at Normandy.  Whenever I could, I walked through the cemetery to contemplate the men who gave their lives for us.  Those men seemed to say, Take care of the freedom, I gave my life for.  Of all my missions, during my 30 years in the Army; the privilege of taking part in the 50th Anniversary of D-Day was the most amazing of all.  For all of the 93rd veterans who were in the French skies that day, thank you!

Planning continues for our Savannah, Georgia reunion from October 21 – 25.  Our theme for the 2010 is “One More Mission”.  Our mission is to conduct an outstanding dedication ceremony for the stained glass window at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum Chapel.  Through the faithful gifts of the 93rd family more than $15,000 was contributed to assure a permanent memorial for the 93rd.

Additional information about the reunion is provided elsewhere in this BOFQE.  I encourage every member of the 93rd to make the 2010 reunion a high priority.  Family and friends are always welcome.  Now is the time to clear your calendar and make plans to attend.

One more recommendation:  The 2nd Air Division Association reunion is scheduled to take place in September in New Orleans, LA.  Although the two reunions are within six weeks of one another I encourage you to attend both the 2ADA reunion as well as the 93rd’s.  We have our reservations made.  Do you?

John Marx, President - summer 2010