7 minute read
American Ace Joe Foss, Fighter Pilot
WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY LOCAL ARTIST, HECTOR CURRIEL
From the time he was four years old, Joseph Jacob “Joe” Foss (1915-2003) found flight fascinating. As an adolescent, he followed the career of flyer Charles Lindberg and could hardly wait to get into the air himself. In college, he took private flying lessons, and as war broke out across Europe in 1939 and 1940, he joined the South Dakota National Guard, preparing himself for combat by earning more flight time on weekends. After graduation, he joined the United States Marines Corps’ flight training program. Finally, in 1942, Joe was ready to be a fighter pilot, just as he had always dreamed of being. But he was now twenty-six years old, and the military deemed him too old for combat. Instead, the Marine Corps assigned Joe to teach men 18 to 23 years old how to fly.
Joe accepted his role but also volunteered for special assignments. He became connaissance photographer, hoping the job might lead him to the battle front. He pestered his superiors until he was allowed to take combat training in the Grumman F4F Wildcat, the carrier-based dogfighter of the Pacific theater. Still, he found himself stateside rather than at the front. He continued to volunteer for dangerous assignments, and his determination eventually won him a spot in a fighting unit just as the war in the Pacific heated up.
Joining the Marine Corps’ VMF-121 fighter squadron as executive officer, Capt. Joe Foss and his unit shipped out to Guadalcanal, code-named “Cactus,” in the Solomon Islands. They arrived in early October 1942, just weeks after the Allies had taken Henderson Field on Guadalcanal from the Japanese. By mid-October, Joe had shot down five enemy airplanes, which officially made him a flying ace. With his leadership and his pilots’ daredevil tactics, the VMF-121 became October 10, 1942, and January 25, 1943, Foss became America’s Number One Ave and earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his role in Guadalcanal. He was a hero known around the world for his prowess in the skies.
Using pen and ink, Hector Curriel draws readers into this subject’s triumphs and trials as Joe Foss overcomes difficult and dangerous situations. He is shot down twice, contracts malaria, and loses his friends and comrades in battle. America Ace places action at the forefront, using the escapades of Foss during World War II to showcase the experience of many fighter pilots, while highlighting the perseverance that made this man unique.
To purchase a copy of this book, please contact Hector Curriel. (605) 351-9569 hcurriel777@yahoo.com www.hectorcurriel-artwork.com FB: HC-Artworks Twitter: @HectorCurriel Instagram: HectorCurriel
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Mother’s Day Breakfast
May 6 • 6:30 - 10:30am Chick-fil-a Empire Place From 6:30am-10:30am, we will have a free breakfast items for all moms on May 6th to celebrate Mother’s Day. 1 free item per mom.
The Style Show: A Runway to Empower
Sat, May 7 • 5:30 – 10pm Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Sioux Falls 201 East 8th Street General Admission $85, VIP $110. INFO Molly@ TheEventCompanySD.com
Cinco de Mayo Festival
Saturday, May 7 • 11am - 7pm FREE admission for all ages! Parking available. The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Falls Park will include free music and feature a Kid’s Zone – an entertainment area for children with free piñatas, inflatables and more! In addition, nearly a dozen local vendors will offer a variety of ethnic foods – from fajitas and tacos to beans and rice, burritos and more – along with soda, water, ice cream and alcoholic beverages. INFO (605) 271-0468.
Avera Race Against Cancer
Saturday, May 7 • 8 - 11am Each year, the Avera Race brings together family, friends, cancer survivors and others - all racing toward a common goal: to enhance cancer care for people right here in Sioux Falls and surrounding communities. The Avera Race consists of a 10K run, 5K run, 3 mile walk, 1.5 mile family fun walk. INFO (605) 322-8900.
Dealing with Difficult People
May 12 • 6 - 8pm • $35 Instructional Planning Center Dealing with a difficult someone? A boss, co-worker, partner, in-law, or your kids, it’s easy to let a challenging person or situation negatively impact your whole day. If you’re tired of worrying, arguing, or stressing out and you’d like to empower and equip yourself to handle anyone or anything that threatens to derail your peace, joy and happiness, then this is the class for you! This training will give you the power to understand and change how you act and feel, which is ultimately where your power lies. Registration is available online at www.ComEd.sf.k12.sd.us or call (605) 367-7999.
Kids’ Craft Breakfast - Spring Craft
May 12 • 6:30 - 10:30am Chick-fil-a Empire Place Stop in anytime from 6:30am10:30am for breakfast, and join us for a free craft with your kids!
The Premier Playhouse Presents Cabaret
May 12-14 & 19-21 • 7 pm May 14-15 & 21-22 • 2 pm Orpheum Theater 315 N. Phillips Ave. In Cabaret, Cliff Bradshaw, an American author working on a novel in Berlin, encounters Sally Bowles at the seedy Kit Kat Klub where she sings. When she is fired by the club’s owner, also her jealous boyfriend, she moves in with Cliff and the two fall in love. As the Nazis begin taking control of the German government, the atmosphere of the Kit Kat Klub and the lives of Cliff and Sally begin to change dramatically. INFO (605) 367-6000.
Leather Boho Wrap Bracelet
May 13 • 6 - 8pm • $39 Instructional Planning Center This leather and bead weavestyle bracelet is simple, stylish, versatile! Create two bracelets in faceted glass, metal, and leather of your choice with a button style clasp… lots of choices! Perfectly customizable and quick to finish for gift giving creations! After learning the basics, personalize with multiple wraps, stone, or more leather layers. Your friends are going to want one…so plan to make more or bring all those friends with you! Materials included. Registration is available online at www.ComEd.sf.k12.sd.us or call (605) 367-7999.
Prom through the Decades Dance and Rumba Lesson!
May 13 • 6:40 - 10:30pm • $15 El Riad Shrine Re-live Prom from your favorite decade and enjoy a special night out at Prom through the Decades! Enjoy a Rumba dance lesson while moving to the music a big band on the El Riad Shrine’s premier dance floor! Your dance lesson is 6:40-7:30 pm with the band playing from 7:30-10:30 pm. Instructors from Sioux Falls Ballroom Dance Club are available for assistance throughout the night. Business Casual or dressy attire is requested, and themed outfits are always appropriate! Registration is available online at www.ComEd.sf.k12.sd.us or call (605) 367-7999.
Fiber Fun at the Old Courthouse Museum
Sunday, May 15 • 1 - 4pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Do you like to knit, crochet, needle work, or dabble in fiber arts? Come join members of the Crossthreads Fiber Guild to work on projects, get suggestions, and enjoy fiber friends! Free Admission. INFO (605) 367-4210 or www.siouxlandmuseums.com
14th Annual Knickers Fore Knockers
May 16 • 12pm - May 17 (8:00am & 1:30pm) Willow Run Golf Course Price: $1,200 (Golf Team) INFO https://www.facebook.com/ FeistyFighters/
Stained Glass Butterfly
May 16 • 6pm - 10pm • $55 Art Glass Co-Op Butterflies have many meanings across many cultures. They represent change, transformation, hope and life. Our connection to butterflies makes them symbols of love, beauty, growth, new beginnings, and flight in both a physical and a spiritual sense. Choose your colors and craft your own beautiful and meaningful 5” (plus antennae length) butterfly suncatcher. Materials included for one project of your choice. Registration is available online at www.ComEd.sf.k12.sd.us or call (605) 367-7999.
Mark Kingswood
Tuesday, May 17 • 7pm Washington Pavilion Mark and his four-piece band perform original compositions but also more traditional songs of the genre and some you wouldn’t expect from a 21st century crooner. Mark offers his own special flair to an enduring musical genre. He draws inspiration from Michael Bublé and Josh Groban. You are sure to enjoy his energy and elegance on stage.
Rosemaling Demonstration at the Old Courthouse Museum
Tuesday, May 17 • 1 - 4pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Eileen Halverson will be demonstrating the Norwegian folk art of Rosemaling (decorative painting) in the second-floor hallway of the Old Courthouse Museum from 1-4 p.m. Stop in any time for a demonstration or to ask questions. INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com
Into the Pit Quarry Tour
Tuesday, May 17 • 9:30 am Departs the Irene Hall Museum Resource Center 4300 N. Westport Avenue Take a trip into an active quarry owned by Knife River and view modern quarry techniques while discussing techniques of the past. Free Admission, space is limited; call (605) 367-4210 to register in advance. Registration opens May 4th. siouxlandmuseums.com
Researching Civil War Veterans
Wednesday, May 18 • 1pm Irene Hall Museum Resource Center 4300 N. Westport Avenue Historian Bill Hoskins will demonstrate the resources
