A Daugher & Her War Hero

A few weeks ago, the Commemorative Air Force held an event here in our area.  The timing was perfect as my parents had just arrived from Canada making this, the first stop of their trip. I was excited to show my mom, in person, one of the planes her father used to fly while in the Air Force; a Harvard/T-6 Texan.  He learned how to fly P-40's on this plane then taught upcoming fighter pilots how to fly using this same advanced trainer aircraft.  The header of my blog is him standing nobly on the wing of his Harvard.  For years, my parents have heard me talk about his service, the importance and those planes.   As with anything, seeing it in person makes all those stories,  all the more real.  It sure was something to see their faces. 

Mom and her war hero;  R.C.A.F.  F/O Robert W. Lynch
 in front of a plane he frequently flew, the T-6/Harvard.

Commemorative Air Force keeping the spirit alive. 
Plane: T-6/Harvard. Pilot: Jeff Linebaugh.

As we were sitting around the table last night talking about my upcoming Aleutian trip,  studying Papa's war documents, and marveling at the sacrifices they made, it served as a reminder of how little we knew about his service.  He never spoke about it.  Ever.  We all saw his uniform hanging in the closet.  His medals on the wall alongside the photo of him in his plane.  But no one ever asked him about it and what those meant.  Gosh, I sure wish I had.  We all wish we had.   Knowing what I know about my fellow humans, this really should not come as a shock to me, that there are still people who are unaware or are under impressed with the significance of WW2.  I suppose if the veteran himself did not talk about it, then how are were we to know?   That is just what drives me to write about it, talk about, and share it when ever possible.  Everyone should know, but more importantly, we should all carry an immense amount of gratitude and respect for what that generation accomplished.  I am incredibly honored to be the voice that so many of them were not able to be for themselves. 

My mom was one very proud daughter by the end of the day.  Special thanks goes out to the folks at the Commemorative Air Force for keeping the legacy of these planes and the men who flew them alive.

Mom & Papa: his 25th Wedding Anniversary (circa 1966). 
He was very happy that the uniform still fit!