With our 305th BG reunion fast approaching, we as an association have been looking deep into the void of uncertainty, trying to see just who will make it to this years gathering in Colorado Springs. Everyone holds out every optimism that we shall have a great time and all that can will get there. But....

As each year passes, more and more of our membership fail to make that journey; some due to ill health or other family needs. Many sadly, have passed away during the previous 12 months, and are now on their final mission. I particularly miss my colleague and mentor Billy Donald, who died earlier in May of this year. A reunion trip with Bill for company will not be the same.

I personally have a number of very close veteran friends in the 305th whom I know will no make it this time around. Through ill health such names as Stan Soderblom, Arnie Carlson and Ed Dahm probably will not make it. Stan 'Sody' Soderblom is the hardest thing I have to deal with as he and I have been close for many many years. Others too such as Miles Pepper and Floyd Rowe have left us forever now, but they leave behind memories, happy ones thankfully.

The 305th are not alone in this increasingly rapid decline. Many groups in the last couple of years have with heavy hearts decided to fold, no longer holding their reunions due to low numbers.

I am thinking of all my buddies, friends and associates at this important time in the calendar as many groups and associations are about to meet, are meeting, or look forward t doing so very soon.

As an old sage said many years ago - Life is not a rehearsal, make the best of your time on this world, you dont get a second chance!

Prayers and good wishes to ALL 305th members, and indeed the wider USAAF veterans that continue to fly the flag.

Ian W

Ian White - 305th BGMA Hon. Life Associate, UK Contact and Organiser of next years 40th Combat Wing UK Reunion - May 21st-31st 2009

And thank God for people like Ian White a " furner" who remembers our "Boys" and takes part in their reunions to foster their past feats and goes out of his way to keep those feats alive in our minds. As we say here in the south, "you good people Ian".

Fair Winds and following seas.
John, (GM 3/C USS Frost DE 144)

Kin to LT. John W. Farnkopf
15th AAF, 52 FG, 4th FS; Madna, Italy
MIA 11/11/44 remains found 12/8/53

AMEN!  Thanks is not enough in recognition of the hard, dedicated work Ian (and Billy) put forth in keeping the memory of that special relationship and of the sacrifice of all those who have gone before alive for us young ones.

John Bronnert

Ian,

Assuming you will be attending the reunion ......  Safe Journey across the Pond my friend ... my thoughts of our visit at the AF Museum last year are great memories for me.

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

A very humble thanks to my 'Navy' friends .. the two John's. Ive never thought of the whys and hows that make people such as myself do what we do. Just simply 'Because I do'. There are many in England just like me, and my old buddy Billy Donald, as well as over in your country that actually think about this slice of shared history, and yes remember what it was meant for, and of all those men and women that played their part in shaping it as we see it today. Thanks for kind words never the less, I am rather shy at such accolades, but accept them in the spirit they are made.

Hey Yunch - I'm not such a 'furner'as you may first think, as my Grandfather was born Kansas City, so a little tiny part of me may be very distantly related to you... somehow down the line!!!

Thanks John B. for your post. How's life now you are back home in USA? Missing England? 

And to Jerry, yes I havent actually booked my flight as yet, but God willing I'll be in Colorado at the end of September. I readily remember our meeting at the Dayton USAF museum. I wonderful place, highly recommended by me to all that get ou to Ohio, dont miss it. Jerry, I hold the cap in safe hands, Ive not dare wear it much for fear of getting it soiled!! A treasureed momento of a much enjoyed reunion. Made mre pleasurable for meeting Jerry and having a one to one meeting.

Ian

Ian White - 305th BGMA Hon. Life Associate, UK Contact and Organiser of next years 40th Combat Wing UK Reunion - May 21st-31st 2009

Dear Ian;  My name is Albert Dunagin and I want to first thank you for all the work you do for the 305BG and for all our veterans.  I am not a veteran,I was [<font]between W.W. 2 and Korean war and was not drafted.  For that reason I would feel out of place going to a 305 BG reunion, but I sure would like to do so.  My brother was in the 305BG 366Sq. KIA 6/18/44 and I was wondering if at those reunions any of the veterans might have pictures of friends they made at Chelveston during the war. If I thought I would meet anyone that might have known my brother or if there would be pictures of him I might try to go if I would not be out of place doing so.   I can not promise to be there, but if I should just show up for one or two days would that be out of place?  We have relatives in western Kansas and we could also see them.  If this is for veterans of the 305BG or only their immediate families I would not want to in any way intrude.  I am well aware that most of our veterans are passing on at a rapid pace.  I am not young myself and would not promise to be there even if you should say it is ok.   Thank you again for all you do.  Regards Al Dunagin

Al Dunagin

Dear Ian:
 I was sorry to hear about the passing of Bill Donald earlier this year.  I had just purchased his wonderful book, John Burn One-Zero-Five some months earlier.
 Your  poignant email message about the upcoming reunion made me think about my own father, who came back from the War and never spoke of what he experienced -told no stories and brought home no souvenirs. It was not until he had passed away that I begin to wonder about what those experiences were and how they might have affected him.
 There are so many relatives of those brave participants, especially the children and grandchildren, who grew up knowing next to nothing about the things their dads,brothers, uncles, and grandfathers experienced during that war.  Many of us will never know how scared they might have been every day they were on the ground or in the air; what they laughed about; what they did during their down time or how valiant they might have been.  It is a part of their lives we will never know and always miss.
 We all depend on books like Bill Donald’s,  the surviving WWII veterans  and the ArmyAirforce.com website for information about the events of that turbulent and terrifying time and the people who were dear to us. You all are a vital part of connecting those in the present to those in the past.  Thank you  so much for doing what you do.
Sincerely,
Susie

daughter of 1st Lt. Donald B. Crystal
305th BG, 364th Sq.

Dear Al
I strongly suggest you make contact with our eunions chairman Ridge Kemp, his email is ridgek@aol.com and make your enquiries on perhaps attending. Whilst there are never any certainties on who will attend it is still worth making your opportunties and coming to such an event. I cant answer on your suggestion of coming along for just seected days; you should direct your thoughts to Ridge and see what or how you can include a visit to see the 305th. I must point out that the closing dates for booking and registering is this weekend. But I suggest you contact Ridge and explain your thoughts.

Our reunions are aimed at 305th veterans and their next of kin, and this surely counts you as that! It also draws other individuals who are interested in the 305th, many join as associates. As a family member of a former 305th veteran your Brother, then this relates to you.

We always hope that our reunions will ccontinue forever, but as numbers dwindle, ill health and old age take their toll, we must consider perhaps that our yearly gatherings may not afterall continue inedffinately. So every one we do hold from now on will be precious times, and events not t be missed by any that have a personal connection with our 305th Bomb Group family.

Hope to see you there.

Regards Ian

****

For Susie, thanks fr kind words on my friend and colleague Bill Donald. A much missed man indeed. And yes he completed a worthy epitaph to his time on this earth, and his many years working with his 305th friends. Its a great record of a great history.

Like Al, I hope you too will considr attending a reunion very soon.

Thnaks again
Ian 

Ian White - 305th BGMA Hon. Life Associate, UK Contact and Organiser of next years 40th Combat Wing UK Reunion - May 21st-31st 2009

Hi Ian

a very moving post

I have read john burn many times now, a fantastic book. I love to be around chelveston, looking out on that empty field, trying to imagine what the place was like when the 305th were there.

I have done a mini tour of other 8th airfields in the area but chelveston is special and thats down to Bill and John Burn 105.

regards
mart