The BerlinBrigade.com May 2013 Book of the Moth: The Berlin Candy Bomber by Gail S. Halvorsen
Celebrating the end of the Berlin Blockade on May 12, 1949, the BerlinBrigade.com Book of the Month for May 2013 is The Berlin Candy Bomber by Gail S. Halvorsen.
Read the story of the Col. Halvorsen's journey to and from Berlin during one of the hottest times during the Cold War.
From the publisher: "The Berlin Candy Bomber is a love story-how two sticks of gum and one
man's kindness to the children of a vanquished enemy grew into an epic
of goodwill spanning the globe-touching the hearts of millions in both
Germany and America.
In June 1948, Russia laid siege to Berlin,
cutting off the flow of food and supplies over highways into the city.
More than two million people faced economic collapse and starvation. The
Americans, English, and French began a massive airlift to bring
sustenance to the city and to thwart the Russian siege.
Gail
Halvorsen was one of hundreds of U.S. pilots involved in the airlift.
While in Berlin, he met a group of children standing by the airport
watching the incoming planes. Though they hadn't asked for candy, he was
impressed to share with them the two sticks of gum he had in his
possession. Seeing how thrilled they were by this gesture, he promised
to drop more candy to them the next time he flew to the area.
True
to his word, as he flew in the next day, he wiggled the wings of his
plane to identify himself, then dropped several small bundles of candy
using parachutes crafted from handkerchiefs to slow their fall. Local
newspapers picked up the story. Suddenly, letters addressed to "Uncle
Wiggly Wings" began to arrive as the children requested candy drops in
other areas of the city.
Enthusiasm spread to America, and candy
contributions came from all across the country. Within weeks candy
manufacturers began donating candy by the boxcar.
In May 1949,
the highway blockade ended, and the airlift ended in September. But the
story of Uncle Wiggly Wings and the candy-filled parachutes lives on-a
symbol of human charity."
You can order your copy of "The Berlin Candy Bomber" from Amazon.com
22 April 2013
What Happens Tomorrow
"Nobody knows what's going to happen tomorrow" is what the song says.
When all of us woke up on the morning of Monday, April 15, 2013 no one knew just how much the world was going to change by sunset. The Boston Marathon Bombings brought the world of terrorism back to American soil and right smack onto our television sets as tonight's leading story.
While the two suspects are off the streets (one dead, one captured) their motives are yet to be fully revealed as well as what their ultimate plan was. Maybe we'll know one day soon. In the meantime, we have to keep moving forward.
As we move forward, there is something to always remember and never forget: Never Let Your Guard Down. Evil is everywhere because it very seldom hides in the shadows.
Those two jokers, in Boston, were living in plain sight when they decided that their agenda was more important than the lives of the people they lived among. Their logic escapes me as it did in April of 1986 when Libyan backed terrorists bombed the LaBelle Disco in West Berlin and as it escaped me after Pan Am flight 103 blew up over Lockerbie, Scotland, UK by Libyan backed terrorists. Logic most certainly escaped me on September 11, 2001 as well as in London and Madrid and every place else that individuals decide that terror is their only choice when it comes trying to create change.
Ghandi made change happen. King made change happen. The people of East Germany in the summer and fall of 1989 made change happen as did the people through out Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. These were welcomed changes.
Terrorism in the name of someone's perception of religion is NEVER a good change. Terrorism in any form is never a good thing.
However, it is an unfortunate byproduct of the world we live in today. Therefore, it is up to each and every one of us to stay vigilant and know that we are in this together and together is how we will get out of it.
Stay Safe and Stay Aler
When all of us woke up on the morning of Monday, April 15, 2013 no one knew just how much the world was going to change by sunset. The Boston Marathon Bombings brought the world of terrorism back to American soil and right smack onto our television sets as tonight's leading story.
While the two suspects are off the streets (one dead, one captured) their motives are yet to be fully revealed as well as what their ultimate plan was. Maybe we'll know one day soon. In the meantime, we have to keep moving forward.
As we move forward, there is something to always remember and never forget: Never Let Your Guard Down. Evil is everywhere because it very seldom hides in the shadows.
Those two jokers, in Boston, were living in plain sight when they decided that their agenda was more important than the lives of the people they lived among. Their logic escapes me as it did in April of 1986 when Libyan backed terrorists bombed the LaBelle Disco in West Berlin and as it escaped me after Pan Am flight 103 blew up over Lockerbie, Scotland, UK by Libyan backed terrorists. Logic most certainly escaped me on September 11, 2001 as well as in London and Madrid and every place else that individuals decide that terror is their only choice when it comes trying to create change.
Ghandi made change happen. King made change happen. The people of East Germany in the summer and fall of 1989 made change happen as did the people through out Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. These were welcomed changes.
Terrorism in the name of someone's perception of religion is NEVER a good change. Terrorism in any form is never a good thing.
However, it is an unfortunate byproduct of the world we live in today. Therefore, it is up to each and every one of us to stay vigilant and know that we are in this together and together is how we will get out of it.
Stay Safe and Stay Aler
09 April 2013
Goodbye To The Iron Lady
She was the "Iron Lady" to her nation and to the world. She led her nation during some of the most illustrious times in our world's history; the Cold War. Then again, she also led her nation through some rough economic, political, and civil times and still managed to come out on top.
To me she was one of the symbols of the Cold War. Though I never met the former Prime Minister, I did get a chance to work in direct contact with the Soldiers and Officers that were members of the British Forces in Berlin when I was based in Berlin. I remember those Soldiers spoke very highly of their Prime Minister.
For the most part, I do not recall a time that I ever heard a Brit talk bad about the leader of their nation on the contrary they were full of praise for their leader. I recall that for the most part they were not happy with their pay or their government food rations, then again ALL soldiers complain about their pay and that which is attempted to be passed off as military food. However, it says a lot about a nation and the soldiers that protect that nation when they completely believe in and stand firmly behind their leaders and the leadership they instill in those they lead.
Then again, it comes as no surprise because of her uncompromising politics and leadership style the nickname "Iron Lady" given to her by a Soviet reporter stuck with her till her last day and beyond.
Baroness Margaret Thatcher will always stand among the great World Leaders of all time.
Requiescat In Pace
(image courtesy of wikipedia.org)
08 April 2013
April 2013 Book of the Month: Lucius D. Clay: An American Life by Jean Edward Smith
In honor of his April 23rd birthday, the BerlinBrigade.ocm April 2013 Book of the Month is "Lucius D. Clay: An American Life" by Jean Edward Smith.
An American Life takes you through early childhood of Lucius D. Clay to his time at the US Military Academy at West Point all the way through his time as Military Governor of Germany. It also covers the story behind his crowning achievement as the architect of the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949) when the USSR blockaded the western sectors of the city of Berlin, Germany.
You can tell that Jean Edward Smith, author, spent much time meticulously researching the life and times of General Lucius D. Clay. Smith not only goes beyond the raw data that is anyone's life, he goes into such detail that the reader can't help but feel to be a fly on the wall that is witnessing the life of General Clay unfold.
You can order your copy of "Lucius D. Clay: An American Life" from Amazon.com
An American Life takes you through early childhood of Lucius D. Clay to his time at the US Military Academy at West Point all the way through his time as Military Governor of Germany. It also covers the story behind his crowning achievement as the architect of the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949) when the USSR blockaded the western sectors of the city of Berlin, Germany.
You can tell that Jean Edward Smith, author, spent much time meticulously researching the life and times of General Lucius D. Clay. Smith not only goes beyond the raw data that is anyone's life, he goes into such detail that the reader can't help but feel to be a fly on the wall that is witnessing the life of General Clay unfold.
You can order your copy of "Lucius D. Clay: An American Life" from Amazon.com
16 March 2013
Attention Berlin Veterans: I Have One Question to Ask
As the title states; I one question that I have been meaning to ask. Here goes:
What do you think about BerlinBrigade.com launching a VETERANS BUSINESS DIRECTORY?
Here is what I am thinking: I am thinking of creating a directory of the businesses that the Veterans of the Berlin either own or a work at or do. This is to help facilitate finding the right people for the right job. Who else to do that job than another Berlin Brigade Vet.
The process would be simple. You fill out an online form containing some basic information about you and your business. Then that information is broken down into at least three business categories and then posted online.
So let's say you are looking for an RV Mechanic in Michigan. You look at the Berlin Brigade Business Directory and find an RV Mechanic in Northern Indiana. He might not be next door but depending on where in Michigan you the Berlin Brigade Vet might be close enough to try.
So what do you think?
Would you use a Berlin Brigade Veterans Business Directory?
Would you submit your organization's information?
What do you think about BerlinBrigade.com launching a VETERANS BUSINESS DIRECTORY?
Here is what I am thinking: I am thinking of creating a directory of the businesses that the Veterans of the Berlin either own or a work at or do. This is to help facilitate finding the right people for the right job. Who else to do that job than another Berlin Brigade Vet.
The process would be simple. You fill out an online form containing some basic information about you and your business. Then that information is broken down into at least three business categories and then posted online.
So let's say you are looking for an RV Mechanic in Michigan. You look at the Berlin Brigade Business Directory and find an RV Mechanic in Northern Indiana. He might not be next door but depending on where in Michigan you the Berlin Brigade Vet might be close enough to try.
So what do you think?
Would you use a Berlin Brigade Veterans Business Directory?
Would you submit your organization's information?
03 March 2013
March 2013 Book of the Month: Mercedes and The Chocolate Pilot by Margot Theis Raven
The BerlinBrigade.com March 2013 Book of the Month is "Mercedes and The Chocolate Pilot" by Margot Theis Raven.
From Amazon.com: During the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949, Lt. Gail Halvorsen and his squadron dropped over 250,000 candy-loaded parachutes and twenty tons of chocolate and gum to West Berlin's 100,000 children. He received thousands of letters from children, and only the most important were translated and given to him for his personal reply. This is the true story of a little girl named Mercedes, who waited anxiously for candy drops from Lt. Gail, known as the Chocolate Pilot.
This book is written with the child in mind but Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot is a story of such historical value that everyone, of any age, will enjoy this wonderful story.
You can order your very own copy of "Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot"
From Amazon.com: During the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949, Lt. Gail Halvorsen and his squadron dropped over 250,000 candy-loaded parachutes and twenty tons of chocolate and gum to West Berlin's 100,000 children. He received thousands of letters from children, and only the most important were translated and given to him for his personal reply. This is the true story of a little girl named Mercedes, who waited anxiously for candy drops from Lt. Gail, known as the Chocolate Pilot.
This book is written with the child in mind but Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot is a story of such historical value that everyone, of any age, will enjoy this wonderful story.
You can order your very own copy of "Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot"
27 January 2013
International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2013
Today, January 27, 2013, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
BerlinBrigade.com takes time to reflect on and remember the victims of the Holocaust, the genocide that resulted in the annihilation of approximately "6 million Jews, 2 million Gypsies (Roma and Sinti), 15,000 homosexual people and millions of others by the Nazi regime and its collaborators."
We, the Veterans of the US Army's Berlin Brigade, served in the city where all this began.
We are honored to have helped the city of Berlin, the country of Germany, the European Continent, and the World move forward and beyond those atrocities. However, we must always continue to take time and look back at the past to ensure that such horrors never happen again. To confirm that the events of today are no where close to what happened in the 1930s and 1940s are exactly why we need to remember and never forget.
The photo was taken by David Guerra, on November 8, 2009, at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin.
BerlinBrigade.com takes time to reflect on and remember the victims of the Holocaust, the genocide that resulted in the annihilation of approximately "6 million Jews, 2 million Gypsies (Roma and Sinti), 15,000 homosexual people and millions of others by the Nazi regime and its collaborators."
We, the Veterans of the US Army's Berlin Brigade, served in the city where all this began.
We are honored to have helped the city of Berlin, the country of Germany, the European Continent, and the World move forward and beyond those atrocities. However, we must always continue to take time and look back at the past to ensure that such horrors never happen again. To confirm that the events of today are no where close to what happened in the 1930s and 1940s are exactly why we need to remember and never forget.
The photo was taken by David Guerra, on November 8, 2009, at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin.
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