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Sheffield Memorial / flypast ideas

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Sheffield Memorial / flypast ideas

Old 22nd Feb 2019, 21:23
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How eloquent was the young Megan Low speaking this morning. A relative of one of the American bomber crew she pitched her remarks perfectly.
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Old 22nd Feb 2019, 21:52
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The Fly Over's were a nice touch.....but my thoughts go to the Man who for all these years has honored the Ten Airmen who died that day....and has done so without fanfare or reward....beyond that internal reward such a wonderfully kind deed provides to the doer.

A walk up the entry path to the American Hangar at Duxford reminds one of the very real sacrifice made by American Airmen during the War and that these Ten were just one crew of so many.

To take a moment of time to remember these Ten....and one Man's dedication is a good thing....but let's not overlook all those in many militaries and many air forces who paid such a dear price to defend our freedom in those dark days.

When I consider the staggering cost in human lives and destroyed families caused by that War.....I remember the opening scene of "Saving Private Ryan" as Old Man Ryan enters the Cemetery followed by his extended family.....and see each Gravestone representing a lost family such as Ryan's behind him that never was.




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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 08:19
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Circus? Clowns!

"but the way in which it was presented was a disgrace. As MG said, they presented it not as a commemoration but as a circus."

To those who have opined that this was a circus, or presented as a circus, perhaps you know best because you seem to have put your oversized shoes in your lipsticked mouths? My opinion is that you have shown great disrespect for the thousands of people who attended and contributed to the commemoration of the Sheffield Park crash, and to the millions of people that see this as an 'ad hoc' memorial event no less significant than the regular remembrance events. Shame on you.
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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 08:46
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PUP.

Once again wish there was a "Like" button.

Well said.

PM
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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 09:15
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What was the average of the crew?

Perhaps they would have enjoyed the pagent and the overwhelming feeling of both respect and enjoyment of the myriad of people there?

Just a thought....
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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 09:27
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Originally Posted by PUP
"but the way in which it was presented was a disgrace. As MG said, they presented it not as a commemoration but as a circus."

To those who have opined that this was a circus, or presented as a circus, perhaps you know best because you seem to have put your oversized shoes in your lipsticked mouths? My opinion is that you have shown great disrespect for the thousands of people who attended and contributed to the commemoration of the Sheffield Park crash, and to the millions of people that see this as an 'ad hoc' memorial event no less significant than the regular remembrance events. Shame on you.
As I said in my original post, I admire Dan Walker for his initial publicity and work in getting things moving and I fully agree with you about the thousands that turned up. Yes, it was a memorial event on a par with others but it was not presented as such. Are we going to see a red sofa and ad hoc, largely irrelevant interviews on Whitehall this November?
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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 09:51
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The event at Sheffield commemorating a particular crew, or crew member, is similar to what happens here in SW France. Last Saturday 16 February, I, along with 6 Overseas visitors who were relatives of the deceased pilot and 18 RAFA members ( including some PPruners ), attended the 75th Annual Anniversary of the loss of a Stirling and crew on that date in 1944. The ceremony was conducted by the village mayor and attended by a crowd of the local people. There were 15 Standards and several " Maquis " re-enactors. The ceremony was followed by " Vin d'Honneur " and lunch at a local restaurant. Last year I, along with other RAFA members, attended several such events all commemorating a particular RAF/Allied crew, or crew member lost in support of the Resistance in the area. Unfortunately no flypast.
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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 10:48
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It’s important to put the Sheffield event into context. It was not a remembrance ceremony per se but a response to a dedicated British pensioner’s long-held desire for a flypast to salute his ten American heroes. As a corollary, it also served as a tribute to all 30,000 USAAF aircrew killed while serving in the UK in WWII.

I understand that the RAFA has conducted a formal service of remembrance at Endcliffe Park annually for many years and, commendably, will continue to do so. Tony Foulds’ complementary attention to the memorial is, perhaps, more to do with his involvement as a witness to the crash and his feelings since.

After yesterday’s spectacle, the F-15s flew over the American Military Cemetery at Madingley, where three of Mi Amigo’s crew are buried. The site is a proper place for the formal remembrance of US service personnel, which was duly observed at the men’s graves. No need, or desire, for a red sofa there.

But let’s not denigrate the BBC’s efforts. I imagine USAFE chiefs, and the US Embassy, were delighted to have the opportunity (via Tony Foulds’ story) to highlight American aircrews’ WWII sacrifices and possibly inform a new generation about their presence here 75 years ago. It’s important to bear in mind that yesterday’s event also made the news in the Mi Amigo crew’s homeland, where attitudes to armed forces commemorations differ somewhat from the UK’s.

I had an e-mail this morning from a former commanding general (CG) of the US Eighth Air Force, in which he said: “What an incredible event. I wish I could have been there. May God bless Mr Foulds.”

I, for one, would second that.

Last edited by XV490; 23rd Feb 2019 at 13:33. Reason: spacing
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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 11:27
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Originally Posted by weemonkey
What was the average of the crew?

Perhaps they would have enjoyed the pagent and the overwhelming feeling of both respect and enjoyment of the myriad of people there?

Just a thought....
Ages were 19 to 24 y.o.

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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 13:04
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My old RAF boss (Peter Maillard) has just posted this on Facebook, he actually saw the wreckage shortly after the crash.
"I have the honour to have seen the still smouldering wreckage [and seeing a foot in a flying boot] after school on the day. The crash site was relatively small in the edge of the wooded slope just off a series of footpaths which bordered the grassed area The pilot could have landed on the big grass recreational area but it was full of playing people, he did indeed sacrifice himself and crew to save others. The memorial area is a credit to all in Sheffield."
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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 14:23
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Originally Posted by ricardian
My old RAF boss (Peter Maillard) has just posted this on Facebook, he actually saw the wreckage shortly after the crash.
"I have the honour to have seen the still smouldering wreckage [and seeing a foot in a flying boot] after school on the day. The crash site was relatively small in the edge of the wooded slope just off a series of footpaths which bordered the grassed area The pilot could have landed on the big grass recreational area but it was full of playing people, he did indeed sacrifice himself and crew to save others. The memorial area is a credit to all in Sheffield."
Your boss is right about the self-sacrifice in avoiding the surrounding houses, but the topography of the valley means there was no chance the pilot could have "landed" on the grass, which is only about 200m across.

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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 17:55
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Originally Posted by XV490
It’s important to put the Sheffield event into context. It was not a remembrance ceremony per se but a response to a dedicated British pensioner’s long-held desire for a flypast to salute his ten American heroes. As a corollary, it also served as a tribute to all 30,000 USAAF aircrew killed while serving in the UK in WWII.

I understand that the RAFA has conducted a formal service of remembrance at Endcliffe Park annually for many years and, commendably, will continue to do so. Tony Foulds’ complementary attention to the memorial is, perhaps, more to do with his involvement as a witness to the crash and his feelings since.

After yesterday’s spectacle, the F-15s flew over the American Military Cemetery at Madingley, where three of Mi Amigo’s crew are buried. The site is a proper place for the formal remembrance of US service personnel, which was duly observed at the men’s graves. No need, or desire, for a red sofa there.

But let’s not denigrate the BBC’s efforts. I imagine USAFE chiefs, and the US Embassy, were delighted to have the opportunity (via Tony Foulds’ story) to highlight American aircrews’ WWII sacrifices and possibly inform a new generation about their presence here 75 years ago. It’s important to bear in mind that yesterday’s event also made the news in the Mi Amigo crew’s homeland, where attitudes to armed forces commemorations differ somewhat from the UK’s.

I had an e-mail this morning from a former commanding general (CG) of the US Eighth Air Force, in which he said: “What an incredible event. I wish I could have been there. May God bless Mr Foulds.”

I, for one, would second that.
Excellent post and I heartily concur.
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Old 24th Feb 2019, 08:57
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Over Here!

I imagine USAFE chiefs, and the US Embassy, were delighted to have the opportunity (via Tony Foulds’ story) to highlight American aircrews’ . . . presence here 75 years ago. .
. . . without which, incidentally, several of my generation wouldn't have been born! But that's quite a different story . . .
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Old 25th Feb 2019, 18:23
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F15 cockpit video.

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Old 25th Feb 2019, 18:57
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A Fantastic Event

What a lovely Old Boy to have tended the Memorial for so long and his wish to have his ashes scattered there is particularly touching.

I didn’t see anything distasteful at all, quite the opposite. Enjoyed every minute of it.

TN.
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Old 27th Feb 2019, 14:46
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US Air Force coverage of Sunday's formal follow-up ceremony and church service in Sheffield here.
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