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Across the Fence:  Hubby's 40th B-day flight on B-17 bomber-pics!  |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 07:36:45 AM
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Girls, instead of resurrecting the old thread where I told you what I was getting my husband for his 40th, I'm just going to post a new topic with mostly pictures. I've been waiting until things slowed down while back at work after the small break.
Just to summarize, we headed to the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area of Michigan to visit the Yankee Aviation Museum and for the Thunder Over Michigan air show. We also spent some wonderful quality time together, and ate at The Root Resturant in White Lake, Michigan, which was voted by the Detroit Free Press as Michigan's Restaurant of the Year for 2012. It was pretty darn good, that's for sure! We fell in love with Ypsilanti and met some of the nicest people I think we've ever encountered. Such a neat little town with lots going on--even stores downtown open until 8:00 on a Friday night! Anyhoo, here are some pictures of the big day on the B-17. I think it took him almost a full week to "come down" out of the sky.
This is us, standing in line at the gate in the early hours of the morning!
A very excited husband, waiting patiently in the sign in line. The gentleman in front of him, in the navy tee and silver hair, was from West Virginia. He was flying because his father, like mine, was a ball turret gunner and he even had a picture of his daddy and his crew. Very poignant for him, for sure!
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Firing up the Yankee Lady!!!! The 11 guys are already on board.
These are a couple of pics that Justin took in flight--thought you girls would like to see them, too. He took a lot of photos, and even videos, and made friend with the gentlemen on board and sent them copies via email so they all had memories. He said it was like 11 guys went up, but 11 cub scouts came down 
This is out the hatch--
Justin got to sit in the bombardier seat in the nose for the landing because he was one of the skinniest folks on the plane, and also the youngest--much easier to crawl through the tunnel to get to it. This is such a great photo!
Flying over Michigan's many lakes
This is a hole in the nose. The bombardier would actually stick his arm through this hole to clean off any flack or debris so that he could see the target.
Fellow passenger--Justin sent this to him and he loved it.
Me and some SS soldiers ;)
Anyway, I shared my initial excitement with you about giving the gift, so I wanted to make sure you got to see the actual gift, too!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13770 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13770 Posts |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 08:00:43 AM
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He said it was the best weekend, EVER. Then he quickly amended it and said, "I mean, except for our wedding..." which made me laugh--"seriously, this was WAY better than our wedding!", I told him, "and it was pretty awesome!"
We needed the getaway weekend, and I was so happy to be able to give him something that he would actually love and never forget.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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crafter
True Blue Farmgirl
2313 Posts
lori
Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
USA
2313 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 08:29:36 AM
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What wonderful memories you and your husband made! The best gift ever!!
Lori
Gernerosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need! |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 08:33:34 AM
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Thanks, Lori--he really had the time of his life. He was the youngest guy on the flight, most were vets themselves, or their fathers were WWII vets and they all loved his Ipad and the pilots and crew were just incredible. Really made everyone's experience totally worth it. Looking back, it was totally worth scrimping and saving and eating mac and cheese for lunch for weeks on end. TOTALLY.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 09:04:59 AM
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What a wonderful gift! The pictures are great, thanks for sharing.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 09:11:59 AM
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Thanks, Marly--I love the pictures he took with Instagram. Brings a whole other dimension to the plane pics. We had such a great time!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 09:17:09 AM
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Jonni: I forgot to say, just by seeing that smile on your husbands face tells it all. He was, indeed, a happy man!
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Emily Anna
True Blue Farmgirl
863 Posts
Emily
Fort Atkinson
WI
USA
863 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 10:14:55 AM
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Oh Jonni! This post gave me goosebumps! I am so glad you both had a fabulous time and were able to spend needed time together. I can only imagine how excited Justin was!
While I was happy to see the pictures of his wonderful experience, it also gave me a somber feeling. It made me think of the young men that flew those planes years ago. The bonds they must have formed....the losses they faced...the triumphs they shared. It makes me emotional to think about it.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us! I know Justin will cherish this forever, as will you! :)
Emily |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 10:47:04 AM
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We really did and Emily Anna, you said it--it was never lost on me, as my father was a ball turret gunner and one of the ones who made it back, but as we were standing in line, talking to one another waiting for the ride to the tarmac, I said out loud--"they were all just babies--maybe if they were a little older, they might not have signed on for these missions." And everyone nodded solemnly. Justin also remarked how small and cramped the space inside the bomber was--not much more room to move around in than a small camper, he said, and less head space. Many places you had to duck or crawl through small "hamster tubers" like the one to get to the nose. Imagine having to do that in heavy leather coats, helmets and flak gear, or during one of the many, many times emergency necessitated running to man the radio or mapping station. They were so very brave, every one of them.
I'm currently reading (well, trying to make it through without balling every two pages), The Bedford Boys which is about a group of 29 boys from the tiny town of Bedford, Virginia and only 4 or so returned. 19 were killed on D-Day alone. Emily Anna, it's exactly what you wrote about--reading about "who" they were before they became immortalized on that beach makes it much harder to think war is worth it. Ever.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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erowease
True Blue Farmgirl
294 Posts
Lesley
Edmonds
wa
USA
294 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 3:45:37 PM
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Thanks for sharing, I love the pictures. How exciting to experience such a flight. The one of the gentleman looking out of the window is very poignant.
Lesley
#2950
"I see God in the eyes of every child...every life is precious to God, whatever the circumstances." Mother Teresa |
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 8:16:52 PM
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Jonni,
Thank you for sharing the pictures! It looks like it was just a totally amazing weekend all around, and I am so happy for you! Isnt it just a great feeling to give someone an "experience" that they will always treasure? It doesnt happen often, but when you give someone that you love that perfect gift-its just such an awesome feeling.
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
View my New Blog:
http://simplesuburbanpleasures.blogspot.com
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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Emily Anna
True Blue Farmgirl
863 Posts
Emily
Fort Atkinson
WI
USA
863 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2012 : 10:16:55 AM
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Jonni, that book sounds very interesting. I'll have to go to the library to see if they have it. I will probably have to pay a fine when I return it because, like you, I will be bawling like a baby!
Emily |
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Across the Fence: Hubby's 40th B-day flight on B-17 bomber-pics! |
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Hubby's 40th B-day flight on B-17 bomber-pics!
