LATEPASS SPRING 2017 ISSUE
WWW.449TH.COM
449th BOMB GROUP ASSOCIATION
THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT BY FLOYD H. TROGDON, PRESIDENT
GREETINGS 449TH VETERANS, SECOND GENERATION MEMBERS AND FAMILIES! Welcome to the 2017 Issue of LatePass! As the 2017 issue of LatePass goes out, I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who worked so hard planning and orchestrating our 23rd 449th Bomb Group Reunion in New Orleans in September 2016 — a special few days of memories and companionship.
The Flying Horsemen 449th Bombardment Group (H) B-24 Aircraft Long Range Heavy Bomber WWII European Theater 15th Air Force, 47th Bomb Wing 449th Bombardment Group Bomb Squadrons: 716, 717, 718, 719 January 1944 – April 1945 Grottaglie, Italy Bombardment Targets Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Rumania, Yugoslavia 254 Combat Missions In 475 days of combat, 111 B-24 bombers lost, 199 Axis fighters destroyed Personnel Loss/Interred or Evaded 393 KIA / 63 DED (other deaths) 359 POW / 186 Evaded / 9 Interred Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC) Bucharest, Romania, April 4, 1944 Ploiesti, Romania, July 9, 1944
449th Flying Horsemen | 449th.com
On Wednesday evening, we opened the reunion with a Get Acquainted Party honoring the 11 veterans and 3 widows who attended. Several second and third generation members came in 1940’s outfits, and we sang songs and caught up with each other. Thursday began with a special visit to the National WWII Museum. We started in the Victory Theater with the first showing of Beyond All Boundaries, a multi-media production narrated by Tom Hanks. After the movie, members toured the museum at their own pace, visiting the D-Day and Home Front exhibits, the Campaign of Courage displays of the European and Pacific Theaters, and the US Freedom Pavilion with a collection of tanks, trucks and aircraft. Although the museum had fantastic displays, after the tour, we did tell the museum staff that they were remiss in not having a B-24 in their collection! Thursday Night was Squadron Night for the Flying Horsemen and this year, all four squadrons celebrated together. Johnie Webb, from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, gave us an update on the recovery efforts for the Hansen and Kendall crews. On Friday, many went on a planned tour of the city and Mardi Gras World. Throughout the Reunion, the PX and Memorabilia Room was open for browsing and buying. Friday Night was a free night and many of us sampled the fine cuisine of New Orleans. Saturday began with the business meeting breakfast. We then had the Memorial Service honoring those 449th veterans who had recently passed. Our Chaplin, Rev. Denise Trogdon, spoke about the meaning of ‘Maximum Effort’ and families presented red roses to honor their loved ones. Saturday evening, the Reunion Banquet and closing ceremonies were held at the National WWII Museum in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion. Following the Posting of the Colors, the Honor Guard from the 377th Theater Sustainment Command (TSC), presented a moving explanation of the Missing Man Table. During dinner, we were entertained by the Big Easy Jazz Band. Our speaker, William Detweiler, Consultant for Military and Veterans Affairs, The National WWII Museum, gave us insight into the building and development of the museum and future planning. As a gift to the museum, Mr. Detweilor was presented with a framed print of “Just a Bad Day” and the 449th BG Books I-VI. Sunday morning saw most of us leaving for home. Everyone agreed that the New Orleans Reunion was a great success! We are busy planning for the 24th reunion in San Antonio, Texas, with more information to come.
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