On July 7, 1944, a young American airman was flying his 44th mission with his crew of 10. They were on their way to the Synthetic Oil plants at Blechhammer. As they made their final turn to approach the target, they broke from the clouds (big white fluffy ones!) at 28,000 feet and were pounced on by a large formation of 109's and 190's. Within an hour, my Grandfather Gerald would be a POW (eventually making his way to Stalag Luft IV).
This past week, I received a very thoughtful gift from Mike at Gettysburg Flag Works. He had visited my site and was impressed with my Grandfather's story. For a few years now, I've been considering a POW/MIA Flag to fly to commemorate and share my Grandfather's experiences; I now have a well-made flag that I can do this with.
Browsing their site, they have A LOT of various flags... all shapes and sizes. If you're looking for a Historical Flag or Perhaps something for your club, I recommend taking a look.
The Flag that I received is a 3' x 5' 100% Nylon Flag. The POW/MIA Patch is double sided so that it can be viewed from either side. It is also made in the U.S.A. (of course!).
Seams are clean and double stitched everywhere; it should hold up pretty well. The patch artwork is also very clean with sharp lines.
I'd like to give a shout out to Mike, and express appreciation. I'm happy to have this flag in my possession and I'm looking forward to flying it. Grandpa, I'd also like to give a shout out to you! I've often marveled at the courage you displayed 70 years ago!
Tanner
The Flag that I received is a 3' x 5' 100% Nylon Flag. The POW/MIA Patch is double sided so that it can be viewed from either side. It is also made in the U.S.A. (of course!).
Seams are clean and double stitched everywhere; it should hold up pretty well. The patch artwork is also very clean with sharp lines.
I'd like to give a shout out to Mike, and express appreciation. I'm happy to have this flag in my possession and I'm looking forward to flying it. Grandpa, I'd also like to give a shout out to you! I've often marveled at the courage you displayed 70 years ago!
Tanner
Lovely story! Hats off to both your grandpa and to Mike. My grandpa was doing his National Service on the 9 April 1940 when the Germans came knocking. I am very glad he made it over the border to Sweden since that is where he met grandma.
ReplyDeleteThanks Thomas! It's amazing (and almost ironic) that many good things (like your family story) were the result of a conflict so destructive in other ways.
DeleteAlthough a US citizen, my family was on the German side of the conflict but all sacrifices made should never be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree. My family history began in the Rhine River Valley; I can only imagine the hardships endured on the other side.
DeleteYes...my uncle, a Gebirgsjäger at Monte Cassino, would talk for hours about the might of America during the war, citing the bomber formations which "blackened the sky" and the field artillery bombardments which "knew no end".
ReplyDelete