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May 2010
ropwash
Newsletter of the Dallas/Fort Worth Wing of the Commemorative Air Force
Lancaster Airport, Lancaster, TX
DFW Wing needs your time, talent
April was a busy month at the DFW
Wing. The City of Lancaster held 2 Annexation meetings in our upstairs room. We moved
the Hind 24 attack helicopter to its concrete
display pad between
Jim Breitenstine’s
Wing Leader
hangar and ours. We
have started installing the rotor blades
and making it presentable. We held
R4D groundschool
on April 11th, we
appreciate the professional presentations by the instrucCol. Charlie Wood
tors and everyone
that attended. Robert Collier has been priming and painting the
cowlings, they are looking great! Marty Case
is changing out his engine on the SNJ. The
Stearman has had its intercom installed. The
tug has had the fuel system repaired. The ongoing weekly lawn maintenance, housekeeping, equipment, and hangar maintenance have
kept many of us busy. Please come out and get
involved...look at it as an opportunity to serve
the DFW Wing and the Commemorative Air
Force.
If you will notice, the DFW Wing has not
signed up many members this year. I have not
succeeded in signing (1) new member this
year. So you see, we need your help in recruiting. For Headquarters call (1-877-767-7175)
it can all be done over the phone, be sure you
or your recruit mention your name and the
DFW Wing so you get credit for signing them
up. The application for the DFW Wing, as
well as the HQ application is on our website
(www.dfwwing.com). Please mail that to Jim
Breitenstine (info provided in this newsletter).
Please plan to volunteer to work at our
“Warbirds on Parade” event, it will be September 4, 2010. Also, we hope you make plans for
the AIRSHO in Midland/Odessa October
8,9,10, 2010.
A reminder, please consider supporting
financially any of our (4) planes. Become an
AIRCRAFT SPONSOR, every little bit
helps. Contact Jim Breitenstine or myself.
Tom Manley and Mary Ann Gadberry
have indicated to me, that due to work and
family requirements, that we should put out
feelers for someone to take over the newsletter duties. Tom and Mary Ann have done an
outstanding job with our newsletter, and will
continue until someone steps up. Please give
me a call if you are interested.
I want to THANK all of YOU for your
time, talent, and treasure that you have given
to the DFW Wing and the Commemorative
Air Force, our success is from our membership!
Recruit and Retain
Index
Hangar Needs
Page 2
Wing Historian/
Museum Report Page 2
Schedule of Events
Page 3
Playball!
Have you ever wondered about baseballs place in military history? Jacksonville, FL and was in Hawaii awaiting orders as a replacement
While some players served in combat in WWII it seems that for the pilot when the Japanese surrendered. He was discharged from the
most part the players who served were instrumental in raising morale Marines on the 28th of January 1946. When he was recalled to service
by organizing games.
during the Korean War he was 33 years old, married, a father and hadn’t
On 15 January1942 President Roosevelt flown for eight years. Many of the WWII veterans resented being
responded to a letter from baseball recalled as the Navy and the Marines recalled inactive rather than active
Wing Historian/
Commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain reserves. Ted Williams trained in the F9F at Cherry Point, NC and was
Field Collection
Landis by writing “I honestly feel that it would assigned to VMF-311 in Korea where he flew 37 combat missions. He
be best for the country to keep baseball going. was awarded, among other decorations, the Air Medal with two Gold
There will be fewer
Stars for meritorious achievement.
people unemployed and
In May of 1942 Bert Shepard was released
everybody will work
from his fourth minor league team in the Chicago
longer hours and harder
White Sox organization and joined the Army
than ever before. And
Air Forces. On 21 May 1944 while flying his 34th
that means that they
mission in a P-38, the first daylight bombing of
ought to have a chance
Berlin, he was shot down and taken prisoner by
for recreation and for
the Germans. His right foot had been shot off and
taking their minds off
he awoke in a German hospital to find his right
Col. Elaine Webb
their work.” He also
leg had been amputated 11” below the knee. A
asked for more night Babe Ruth’s Draft Cards courtesy
Canadian P.O.W. devised a prosthetic leg for him,
of the National Archives.
games so more people could attend the games.
found a cricket ball and glove for him and Shepherd
Spring of 1943 saw the formation of the Allsoon saw that he could pivot, pitch and cover field
American Girls Softball League, a nonprofit organization. The major bunts. He was listed as unfit for combat and included in the prisoner
league franchises had lost so many premier players that attendance of war exchange on 23 January 1945. Undersecretary of War, Robert
was declining and owners feared loss of profit would continue. It was Patterson, arranged for Shepard to tryout for the Washington Senators.
expected the women’s league would fill the stands. The league played Clark Griffith, owner of the Senators, was so impressed with his ability
from 1943 to 1954.
that he signed him to the team.
Babe Ruth was 46 years old when the United States entered WWII. Shepard told The Associated Press in
Babe had ended his playing career in 1935 and had retired from his 1990 “I got an awful lot of publicity
job as a Dodgers’ coach in 1938. Babe Ruth raised funds for the war right away. That sort of helped me to
effort by appearing in golf tournaments and exhibition games. In 1943 stay with the ball club until I could
the baseball season began two weeks late as teams struggled to fill their prove myself.” When the war ended
roster and lamented the loss of players such as Joe DiMaggio, Pee Wee the major league players returned
Reese, Phil Rizzuto, Enos Slaughter, Johnny Mize and Ted Williams. from military service to rejoin the
On 12 July 1943 a team of Armed Forces All-Stars including Joe rosters and Shepard was displaced.
DiMaggio and Ted Williams and managed by Babe Ruth played the He played and managed with minor
Boston Braves. A game winning home run by Ted Williams gave the league teams until ending his career
All Stars a 9 – 8 win.
in his late 20s. Shepard was awarded
Ted Williams attended Corsair Operational Training Unit at the Distinguished Flying Cross for
his WWII service. Bert Shepard is
the only person to play in a major
league game with an artificial leg.
Bert Shepard / AP Photo
Propwash
Published monthly by
the DFW Wing of the CAF
Editor
Co-Editor
Thomas Manley
Mary Ann Gadberry
Send comments or questions to [email protected]
© Copyright 2010, DFW Wing of the CAF. All Rights Reserved.
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Hangar Needs
Weed killer (Roundup Concentrate & Broadleaf weed killer)
General purpose insecticide (concentrate)
Mouse traps (Glue type)
Disposable table cloths.
Paper towels.
Gasoline for the tug and lawn mower.
Thanks for all your kind donations.
R4D Update
Schedule of Events 2010
The following people have helped keep the R4D operational
through donations and pledges: Steve Bennett, Dan Bunch, Ken Norvell, Mary Presley, Wyley Smith, John Curry, Jack Bradshaw, George
Ceshker, Harolde Savoy, Neils Agather, Marty Case, Robert Collier,
Candis Wells, Neil Bentsen, John Willis, Russ Coonley, Lancaster
Airport FBO, Jake Jacobson, Ed Halter, Larry Gollaher, Don Barton,
James and Angela Thompson, Tad Foran, John Sweatt, Jay Hauteman,
Michael Jez, Norm McGowan, and Texas Loan Corp.
We need to raise $8,534.00 to pay off Perrin Warbirds for the sheet
metal work and the new exterior paint before September 15, 2010. The
R4D fund has been making payments of $2,000.00 per month to retire
the debt to Perrin Warbirds.
The R4D also needs $3,400.00 for a replacement wheel brake
control. At present, the R4D’s brakes are not working.
Thank you to every one. With your help, the DFW Wing has one
of the best cargo air craft in the CAF.
Jim Breitenstine. R4D Coordinator
May 1 & 2
Temple, TX, Central Texas Airsho
Saturday, May 8
Corsicana, TX. CAF AIRSHO
Saturday, May 8
DFW Wing Monthly Meeting. Wing Staff Meeting at 1pm
and Wing Membership meeting at 2pm.
Saturday, May 15
“Support the Troops” Warbird Airmeet 10AM to 4PM at
the Flight of the Phoenix Museum, Gilmer, TX.
May 22 & 23
Meacham Airport - Cowtown Warbird Roundup
May 28-30, 2010
Silent Auction
Memorial Day Weekend Fly-In and Airshow. Ranger Airfield, Ranger, TX. More info on www.rangerairfield.org
The sponsors for the PT-17 are having a silent auction for the prop
that was replaced. This prop is not air worthy, but it would look great
hanging on your wall. The prop is wood with brass leading edges and
tips. It is 8 feet long and weights about 75 pounds. The cost of a new
prop is about $5,800.00. A shipping box is available.
The person with the highest bid at Warbirds On Parade on Saturday, September 4, 2010 will win the auction. The biding will close at
3:00 P.M. If you would like to bid, please contact me with your bid
amount.
As of May 1, 2010, the high bid is $600.00. Any questions, please
contact me at 817 294-2936 or [email protected].
Saturday, June 12
Lone Star Wing Fly-in. Marshall, TX
September 4
DFW Wing “Warbirds on Parade”. It is never too early to
start planning for this event. Mark you calendars and let’s
make 2010 our best show ever!
DFW Wing Staff 2010
Wing Leader
Executive Officer
Operations Officer
Maintenance Officer
Finance Officer
Adjutant
Public Information Officer
Col. Charlie Wood
Col. Steve Bennett
Col. Tom Travis
Col. Robert Collier
Col. Jim Breitenstine
Col. Curtis Green
Col. Tom Manley
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
(972) 287-6228
(817) 269-4081
(972) 241-8102
(972) 641-4595
(817) 294-2936
(469) 964-0572
(612) 817-0665
Safety Officer
PX Officer
Wing Historian/Field Collection Officer
Wing Chaplain
Webmaster and Propwash Editor
Col. Garland Beaty
Col. Steve Bennett
Col. Elaine Webb
Col. John Crane
Col. Tom Manley
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
(972) 617-3860
(817) 269-4081
(817) 478-0105
(469) 261-2314
(612) 817-0665
Propwash Co-Editor
Hangar Deck Officer
Mary Ann Gadberry
Position Open
[email protected]
(972) 922-0316
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Dallas/Fort Worth Wing
of the Commemorative Air Force
738 Smith Lane
Seagoville, Texas 75159
Next Meeting is Saturday, May 8
Wing Staff Meeting at 1pm
and Wing Membership Meeting at 2pm
DFW Wing Hangar and Museum are open
Saturdays from 9am to 4pm, Sundays from 12pm to 4pm
and other days by appointment. Call 972-227-9119
May 31, 2010
It doesn’t take a hero to order men
into battle. It takes a hero to be one
of those men who goes into battle.
Norman Schwarzkopf
Take time to thank the following sponsors for their ongoing support to the DFW Wing
Colonels:
Admiral Level:
Neils Agather, Steve Bennett,
Michael Gaston, Tom McCoy,
James Jackson.
Back Country BBQ
Bob’s Aviation Art (Bob Inselmann)
Busy B’s Bakery
B-29/B-24 Squadron CAF
Coyote Squadron CAF
Charles Schwab
City of Lancaster
Cavanaugh Flight Museum, Cold War Air Museum
CMV Publishing
Ericson Bicycles
First Cash Financial Services
Friends of the Lancaster Library
Fritts Car Shows/Awards To Go
Jim & Mary Jane Goad Tractor Ice Cream/Railroad
I-20 Animal Medical Center
Lancaster Airport, (Airport Manager Arb Ryland & Staff )
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Lancaster Historical Society/Octoberfest Committee
Lancaster Tourism Committee
Lancaster K-Auto Parts
Lancaster Machine Shop, Keith Hutchinson
Lone Star Wing CAF
24 Hour Wrecker Service, Inc.
Nestle Waters
Southwest Airlines
Don Kilgore T-shirts, 214-484-2259
Captain Level:
Jack Bradshaw, Phil Moroneso, Tom Travis.
Commander Level:
Julian Banks, Chuck Francis, Ray Kinney, Norm McGowan,
Gordon Stevenson, George Lodge, Jim Davis, Richard Betham,
Russ Coonley, Jim Breitenstine, Ed Halter, Wyley Smith,
Jim Wells, Shirley Wood.
Anchor Level:
Sam McDaniel, Scott McDaniel, Kathleen Laeber,
P.D. Giles, Mary Gasiano, Ben Saladino, Christine Poyer,
John Tyson, Marty Case, Jerry Wisley, Barbara Hair,
Aubrey Hair, W.N. Bentson, Ken Norvell, Jay Hauteman,
Doris Goad, Franklin “Dan” Bunch, Charles “Tad” Foran,
Bill McGuire, Larry Gollaher, Edward Sharum, Don Carlson,
Dr. Michael Jez, Red Griffin, David Verver, John Burke,
David Murphy, Howard Webb, Keith Hutchinson,
Curtis Green, Elain Webb, Maureen Wood,
Dr. Ned and Chelsia Beiser.
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