Received my summer volume of Friends Journal, the publication of the Air Force Museum for members of Friends of the Museum

One of the "Specials From Our Bookstore" is

Batle Colors, Volume III: Insignia and tactical markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War II by Robert Watkins.

A great price as the lilst price is $45.oo and the special members price is $33.75.

I already have Volume I and II and will be purchasing this one on Friday when I volunteer at the Museum.

Great job Bob!

Jerry
S/Sgt. USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar"

cousin of T/Sgt. Frank Hrehocik RO/Gunner
381st BG - 533rd BS

381st BGMA LTM

Volunteer - National Museum of the US Air Force

Thanks Jerry, hope you enjoy the book.

When you do your next tour-of-duty you might mention to the giftshop
manager that I will be more than happy to sign book-plates on behalf
of the museum. Don't know if your familiar with them, but book-plates
are small, self adhesive labels that are individually signed by authors
and then affixed to the title page of each volume. It's just a small personal
touch that can help museums with their book sales.
A large facility like the National Museum of the Air Force might not want
to bother with it but it's a useful marketing for the smaller operations, so
thought I'd extend the offer.

Bob

Bob,

I'm sure I will enjoy it.  Along with I and II (and waiting for IV) they are my main source of research for many of my projects. 

The gentleman who handles the Museum Foundation Bookstore is a retired Colonel.  I have had many conversations with him during our preparation for embroidering the shirts and hats for the museum volunteers.   I will be more than happy to see him this Friday and pass on your generous offer.  I have seen those in the bookstore section of the Boeing Museum when I visited there last week. 

PM me your email address and I'll pass that along to him if in fact there is an interest.

Jerry

Jerry
S/Sgt. USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar"

cousin of T/Sgt. Frank Hrehocik RO/Gunner
381st BG - 533rd BS

381st BGMA LTM

Volunteer - National Museum of the US Air Force

Jerry.

Check your PM's.

Bob

Bob,

Passed the info and your email address to the Museum Bookstore.  They seemed both very appreciative and interested.  I anticipate you will be hearing from them.

Did get my copy of Vol III and it is another great book of yours,

Thanks,

Jerry

Jerry
S/Sgt. USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar"

cousin of T/Sgt. Frank Hrehocik RO/Gunner
381st BG - 533rd BS

381st BGMA LTM

Volunteer - National Museum of the US Air Force

Jerry,

I look forward to hearing from someone from the museum and
I'm glad to hear that you like Vol.III.

These books are a labor of love for me, something I've wanted to
do since I was a kid. I would have started earlier in life but things
like making a living, etc., always seemed to get in my way.
But as they say; 'Better late than never'..

Thanks again Jerry, and I'll be talking to you.

Beat regards,
Bob

Bob.

I keep a close eye on the WWII vets having reunions at the AF Museum.  Usually very heavy in the fall of the year.  The Museum Staff does a great job in assisting.

Anyway, where possible, I use your books to read up on a particular group and/or squadron when they are about to visit on my day of volunteering.  That way I have a little knowledge about the group and some information to talk to them about.  Hopefully, we can add a little more than just a "Thanks".

Anxiously awaiting Vol IV

Jerry

Jerry
S/Sgt. USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar"

cousin of T/Sgt. Frank Hrehocik RO/Gunner
381st BG - 533rd BS

381st BGMA LTM

Volunteer - National Museum of the US Air Force

Jerry,

It's nice to hear that this series gets some use beyond the
modelers bench, and by the way, I've been meaning to commend
your volunteer efforts at the museum. I think what you do is a
terrific thing, and especially now with the economy being what it
is. Keep up the good fight.

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for the kind words.   For me personally, volunteering at the Museum is an honor and a privilege.  The Musuems theme of "We are the keepers of their stories" brings back many memories of my youth growing up during WWII.  Many of our neighbors went off and not all returned.  One in particular who use to play with us kids on the street became a Ball Turret gunner on a B-17 and never came home.  I remember well when his Mom placed the gold star flag in the window.
As a Life Time Member of the 381st Bomb Group's Memorial Association, I feel like I am not only paying a tribute to my late cousin Frank but all the 381st veterans as well.

Jerry
 
 

Jerry
S/Sgt. USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar"

cousin of T/Sgt. Frank Hrehocik RO/Gunner
381st BG - 533rd BS

381st BGMA LTM

Volunteer - National Museum of the US Air Force

Bob,
 
I checked your books at the Museum last Friday and didn't see any autograph plates in any of the copies regardless of the Volume.
 
Did the museum ever contact you?  If not, I would be interested as to why not or would you rather I forget about it.
 
Jerry

Jerry
S/Sgt. USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar"

cousin of T/Sgt. Frank Hrehocik RO/Gunner
381st BG - 533rd BS

381st BGMA LTM

Volunteer - National Museum of the US Air Force

 
Hi Bob---I have all 3 volumes.  Besides the aesthetic value I get from just browsing through them, they're a great reference for me in my modeling--I'm a hig school history teacher, as I've noted on earlier posts, so historical accuracy is a MUST for me.  Also, I'm interested in getting you to sign my books (do you personalize ?)  Let me know--and also, what's in store for  future volumes, if any.  Many thanks and best wishes in your future research.
 
Lynn Robert Fairbanks, History Dept.
Paramount (CA) HS
 
son of James A. Fairbanks, 3030th BU
nephew of Jack Widener, 337th BS/96th BG

misterg97


Bob,

I checked your books at the Museum last Friday and didn't see any autograph plates in any of the copies regardless of the Volume.

Did the museum ever contact you?  If not, I would be interested as to why not or would you rather I forget about it.

Jerry

Hi Jerry,

Good hearing from you.

To date no one from the museum has contacted me regarding the bookplates but I've found that
these things sometimes take time, especially if they are processed via a committee agenda.

If you do hesr anything I'd appreciate it if you kept me posted.

Blue skies,
Bob

Lynn Fairbanks


 
Hi Bob---I have all 3 volumes.  Besides the aesthetic value I get from just browsing through them, they're a great reference for me in my modeling--I'm a hig school history teacher, as I've noted on earlier posts, so historical accuracy is a MUST for me.  Also, I'm interested in getting you to sign my books (do you personalize ?)  Let me know--and also, what's in store for  future volumes, if any.  Many thanks and best wishes in your future research.

Lynn Robert Fairbanks, History Dept.
Paramount (CA) HS

son of James A. Fairbanks, 3030th BU
nephew of Jack Widener, 337th BS/96th BG

Hello Lynn,

Nice to hear from you and I appreciate hearing that you are finding these works both enjoyable and useful. It's feedback
like yours that makes creating these works worth the effort.

I am currently finishing up Volume IV of the Battle Colors series which focuses on the Mediterranean Theater of Operations.
The completed manuscript should be in my publishers hands by the end of December. Future volumes of this series will cover
the Pacific, China-Burma-India and possibly the American Theater of Operations. (I haven't quite decided about the last one
as yet.)

As to book signings, I would be honored to personalize either your copies or individual bookplates, whichever is your preference.
Given the logistical factors involved I would recommend the latter, but either way, I would be happy to oblige.

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future,
Bob

Bob,
 
My next day to volunteer at the Museum is next Friday the 17th.  I'll check and see what's going on ... 
 
Jerry

Jerry
S/Sgt. USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar"

cousin of T/Sgt. Frank Hrehocik RO/Gunner
381st BG - 533rd BS

381st BGMA LTM

Volunteer - National Museum of the US Air Force

 Hello again, Bob--I think I'd like to go the bookplate route for my three books of BATTLE COLORS.  Let me know how you want to do this and any logistical info you need, i.e. money for postage, etc.  Really look forward to subsequent volumes and keep up the great work!
 
 
Lynn
 
lfairbanks@roadrunner.com