Deseret News | Veterans' memories take flight

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Veterans' memories take flight

Veteran | 6:47 p.m. June 29, 2009

Many thanks to the guys who flew them then, and to the guys and gals who have helped preserve them for newer generations to better understand the heroism and sacrifices made by "the greatest generation."

In a few decades, I hope we will have the same attitude towards veterans from Vietnam, and the Gulf War and Iraq and Afghanistan. They have earned our appreciation as well.

Vancouver John | 10:44 p.m. June 29, 2009

Thanks to the brave men and women who flew these beautiful airplanes and an A+ for this lovely piece.

ArmorAndy | 9:35 a.m. June 30, 2009

Great article. It is always a pleasure and a privilege to read an interview with the veterans who flew in these magnificent birds.

Wonderful photos! Thank you, Scott Winterton. I especially liked the in-flight photos and the bombadier's-eye view.

I offer my heartfelt thanks to all those brave men and women who flew these planes (women worked as pilots ferrying planes across the country), to those who maintained them, and to the women (and men) who built them.
You are all my heroes and heroines.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 1:52 p.m. June 30, 2009

words cannot express the beauty of these aircraft, nor can it express our thanks to the thousands of men and women who flew them

Shecky | 3:51 p.m. July 1, 2009

Thank you Mr. Drake for your service and example. I try to explain to my children and grandchildren how important your generation is/was to our country and the world in general. Sometimes emotion and the ability to explain these things escape me. I thank God that you all came to the aid of the world when duty called.

Marlene Wasden Cupit | 4:38 a.m. July 3, 2009

Editor, photographer and writer are to be complimented on an outstanding article - these are the stories of Freedom we Americans yearn to read! My niece, Kimi Emery, had the honor of flying in the B-24 with her dad, Bill Drake,on this thrilling flight through Provo Canyon. Ft. Worth TX is home to "Chuckie", a restored B-17, which I had the honor of flying as passenger to Kansas for an air show. I would encourage folks to take advantage of this huge opportunity offered to tour and take flights while the planes are local. I am honored to know one of these two pilots featured personally - his stories have enriched our family & to view some sketches is marvelous. Thank you, dear Veterans, for our freedoms today.

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18 photos

Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Bill Drake, former pilot in command, talks about his days at the controls of a Consolidated B-24 Liberator in front of the plane at the Wings of Freedom Tour in Provo Monday. The tour, featuring the B-24, World War II vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and North American P-51 Mustang, stopped at the Provo Municipal Airport Monday.

Gallery (18 photos)