Not Forgotten

The throaty rumble of a big, round engine vibrated the ground and surroundings as the T-6 flew over. Planes like this had once trained WW II aviators to fly, fight, and die for their country. It reminded me of one such aviator that I met while working at a local VA clinic.

He had survived the war, but was battling the ravages of time. He wasn’t very talkative, especially when having to explain his health concerns to another damn doctor in the “system.” I was always curious as to where my veteran patients had served and what they had done.

“I was in the Army Air Corps,” he grunted while looking at the far side of the room. Then he added, “I suppose you want to know how many missions I flew.”

“Well,” I cautiously replied, “I am interested.”

“I flew one half of ONE mission in a B-17. Got shot down and spent two and a half years as a German prisoner of war.”

He was obviously done talking about it, so we proceeded with the examination routine. Afterwards, as usual, I made note in the chart of his service experience.

A few months later when he returned, I saw the note and remarked to him, “You flew in B-17’s during the war.” His stoic face immediately softened in amazement that anyone would care. Extra time was taken that day to listen to the stories of what he had endured and of fellow crew members that had been lost. From that time on I believe that we both looked forward to our office visits together.

Now, time has taken its course and he is no longer with us. He has joined his buddies who were lost during the War. I will never forget him and what he and many, many others sacrificed for our country.

Never forget.

Happy Memorial Day

#t6 #armyaviators #sacrifice #memorialday