[CaptainGyro]

Today, at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, the three remaining Doolittle raiders who are still able to travel will hold their final reunion.

The survivors of the raid agreed that they would meet annually, and drink a toast to those who had passed. They have a set of eighty engraved silver goblets stored in a display case, and when a survivor dies, his goblet is turned upside down. For years, the reunion took place at the Air Force Academy, and the goblets were on display there. Being able to see them, and knowing what they meant, was a privilege and an inspiration.

The final toast will be streamed live today at 1800 EST.

National Museum of the USAF - Doolittle Raiders Final Toast

 

[Ratfink2u]

:cheerschug:
Cheers to these fine brave men who did the unthinkable in a time America's morale was in the tank. The physical damage they inflicted was minor but the psychological damage to the Japanese and the spiritual boost they gave Americans was immeasurable.
Thank you gentlemen, truly American hero's.

 

[TommyGunn]

:cheerschug:
Cheers to these fine brave men who did the unthinkable in a time America's morale was in the tank. The physical damage they inflicted was minor but the psychological damage to the Japanese and the spiritual boost they gave Americans was immeasurable.
Thank you gentlemen, truly American hero's.

"AMEN."

They were great men when great men were needed.
There are never enough of them.

 

[Tim Burke]

Thank you, Sir.

 

[Tim Burke]

And thank you CPT Gyro for posting that in time for me to watch it live.

 

[CaptainGyro]

You're very welcome.

For those of you who missed it, they opened a bottle of 1896 vintage cognac, presented to Doolittle years ago by the Hennessy company for this occasion. The original plan was for the last two survivors to open it, but these last four decided to do it while they were all still alive, and three were still able to travel.

Why 1896? Check out the photo of Doolittle's tombstone that Tim posted.

 

[Tim Burke]

Which brings up the point that Doolittle was 45 years old when he volunteered to lead that mission. Lots of heroics are performed by young desperate men thrown into circumstances and forced to act on the fly. Frequently they have few options, and are still young enough to feel like they are bullet proof.
Then you have men like Doolittle, Shughart, Gordon, Doherty and Woods that chose to be heroes, knowing full well that they're mortal, that the odds are against them, and that if they don't volunteer, no one will think any less of them.

 

[Charlie Petty]

There was a great episode in "MASH" where Col. Potter was the last survivor of his WW I (?) unit and they had a bottle of Cognac and they all drank a toast.

The title was (I'm pretty sure), "The Tontein" (sp?)

 

[Skeptic49]

There was a great episode in "MASH" where Col. Potter was the last survivor of his WW I (?) unit and they had a bottle of Cognac and they all drank a toast.
The title was (I'm pretty sure), "The Tontein" (sp?)

You spelled it right. "Here's to my friend who died in the war to end all wars and the ones who died in the one after that...."

Geoff
Who watched that show, some. Struck too close to home occasionally.

 

[stand watie]

SACRED to the service/memory of all those heroes/heroines, both living and walked on, who honorably served the USA in all wars.

yours, sw