Remembering our greatest generation

The month of May has some significant anniversaries for our World War II veterans, The Greatest Generation.

The 70th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe), was on the 8th of May. The unconditional surrender of Germany took effect ending that portion of World War II on May 7 and was celebrated on May 8.

World War II aircraft flew above the National Mall on Friday as part of the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end to World War II. The day started with a ceremony at the WWII Memorial, where veterans and their families gathered for a wreath laying ceremony.

Honor Flight Kern County had a group of World War II veterans and their guardians in Washington for this epic fly-over. Go to: http://www.honorflightkerncounty.org/ for more information.

At noon, the "Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Victory Capitol Flyover" began, with airplanes flying in formations over the National Mall, through the most protected airspace in the nation, beginning with training aircraft and the first fighters that were flown at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941 and concluded with a missing man formation to "Taps." Never before has such a collection of WWII aircraft been assembled at one location, to honor the large assemblage of veterans gathered at the WWII Memorial for a ceremony.

Information from the website of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans states: "Approximately every three minutes a memory of World War II – its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs – disappears. Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now mostly in their 90s. They are dying quickly – at the rate of approximately 492 per day, according to US veterans Administration figures."

When I think of all my friends and family members who served during World War II, I have to admit the list of the living has shortened to the point, that I can count them on one hand.

Flora Belle Reece, WASP (Women Air Service Pilot) passed away this year just after celebrating her 90th birthday!

She flew AT-6 Texans during the war and when Dave VanHoy brought his vintage T-6 out for Plane Crazy Saturday, no one could keep Flora Belle out of it!

Flora Belle and Ralph, her husband of 62 years, had three children, Connie, Cheryl, and Russell (Rusty). Cheryl was lost in an automobile accident at the age of 16 and Ralph passed away in 2008. Flora Belle had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was my hero and role model, she displayed a spirit and a beautiful grace from God that everyone would want to emulate.

I love Tin Can Sailor, Cal Emerson, USN veteran who served aboard the USS Bancroft, (DD-598), a Benson-class destroyer. He gave me the 48-star flag that flew on this ship at a Pearl Harbor enactment at Mojave Airport nearly 20 years ago.

Cal is a member of the Bakersfield Council Navy League. He is an incredibly tough, walking miracle and is amazing to still be alive!

This photo shows Cal, my grandsons Michael and Matthew Burdick and me on the Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer, USS Stethem (DDG-63) in 2005.

Noel Dees, Mojave resident, served in the U. S. Navy and flew in PBYs during the war. He is still vibrant and attends Plane Crazy Saturday events at Mojave Air & Spaceport, along with every Memorial Day and veterans Day ceremony!

At the end of the month is Memorial Day – May 25th this year, when we honor all who served and gave their lives for our precious freedoms.

Memorial Day is the time for Americans to reconnect with their history and core values by honoring those who gave their lives for the ideals we cherish.

You are invited to join the Mojave Transportation Museum Foundation, We Are Mojave, Mojave Chamber of Commerce, and the Mojave Senior Citizens on Monday, May 25, 2015,

at 11 a.m. as they present a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Mojave Cemetery. Mr. Leon Ryder, retired Jr. High teacher and Vietnam Veteran, is speaking.

See you on our next flight!