Sunday, November 10, 2013

Doolittle Raiders Honored


I read this morning that a ceremony commemorating the Doolittle Raid conducted during World War II was conducted on November 9th in advance of Veterans Day at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Three of the four surviving raiders were present at the wreath laying ceremony. That caused me to pause and remember the heroic actions of those brave men who raised the sagging spirits of a nation that had just suffered through Pearl Harbor and been thrust into the middle of the World War. 

It was April 18, 1942, just four short months after Pearl Harbor, when 16 B-25 bombers launched in heavy seas from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet to lead the US back from defeat and into the war. There is a great website, The Doolittle Raid, which provides a lot of history about the mission. But I also found another website which shows the actual video footage of the bombers launching from the deck of the carrier in rough seas and provides a better view that this mission was no cake walk. The bombers launching from the deck of the USS Hornet look like they are only slowly gaining speed and altitude and could fall form the sky at any moment.

As we cruise into Veteran's Day 2013, it is important to remember the sacrifices of our military members who struggled and died to secure the freedoms that many take for granted.

Thank you Doolittle Raiders, and every veteran as we honor you tomorrow!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

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