[303rd-Talk] Our dads

[Anita Nardine]

Hi Bill,

Sorry it took so long to answer. Yes, it does feel as if we're related, 
doesn't it.
Dad talked a bit about the war from time to time, but never a very long 
conversation. As a child, it always seemed so exciting, and the 
newspaper clippings that my Mom kept (anytime anyone got a medal or 
cluster there was a photo and article) always referred to 'heroes.' He 
didn't feel that way - he did what he had to do to protect his country, 
but always felt terrible about having killed others. He kept a piece of 
parachute that one of his friends used. He saw his friend's plane get 
shot, saw some 'chutes come out, and saw the plane go down. It wasn't 
until some time later that he found out who had survived. The parachute 
was divided into souvenirs for the fellow's buddies.

I know Dad went to the Boise reunion; I think that was the first one. 
The names I recognize are your Dad, Jacob Fredericks, Michael Hlastala, 
and Lewis Lyle. I'm pretty sure that Hlastala was in Boise, and they 
corresponded for a while.

I have Dad's service record, which includes the missions and the 
official write-ups of some of them - esp. the ones which resulted in a 
citation being awarded. I also have some photos, mostly crew shots. 
Hopefully, at some point in the near future I will finish scanning them 
and can send you copies if you like; perhaps you will recognize your Dad 
in some of them.

Are you planning to go to the last reunion? I'm going to try an attend.

How interesting that you work with the band. What do you do?

Have a wonderful Christmas.

Anita

Bill Hoyt wrote:

>Anita     Its great to read your post about the "steak" dinner.
>Thanks for sharing it.
>Dont recall Dad saying much about the war except that they liked missions 
>that involved groups flying B-24s.
>(It sort of feels as if we are related in a way.
>Do you have contact with anyone else we might be "related" to?)
>
>
>Thanks again   Bill Hoyt 
>
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