Saturday, August 29, 2009

Dutch van Kirk

We spent the day locked inside the house alone. Jan went to a luncheon and then to a public presentation. We think we got gypped. She didn't even bring us any crumbs.

The luncheon was in honor of this man, as well as local World War II veterans:

You probably don't recognize him but he is one who has a special place in American history. Now age 88, Theodore "Dutch" van Kirk was the navigator of the Enola Gay -- the stripped-down B-29 bomber -- that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Mary Ann Ferebee, widow of Tom Ferebee the bombardier on the Enola Gay, also attended.

Van Kirk was in town to sell/sign copies of his book. His visit was hosted by the Historical Society, VFW, American Legion, etc. And the city took advantage of the opportunity to recognize their own WWII vets.

Jan was invited to the luncheon to take photos for the local VFW post. The community was invited to attend the free presentation afterward. It was quite an interesting day -- for Jan. Again, we were locked in the house without a computer, a camera, treats, or a working TV.

Jan wants to say that if any of you have the opportunity to hear van Kirk speak in your area, it would be well worth your time to attend. It's extremely interesting to hear a WW II veteran speak of a generation that is rapidly dying off and a war that is "ancient" news to the youth of today. It's American history.

But, as Jan left us home alone while she went off and had fun today, we aren't going to let her tell you any of that in our journal.

Percy: What, Buddy? Speak up. I can't hear you.

Buddy: Pssst. You already told them what Jan wanted to say.

Percy: Blast it, Buddy, you're right. I'll just have to delete .... Oops, hit the wrong key. It's published.

JFF -- Crystal, Cotton, Merci, Cyndi, Percy, Cameron, Buddy, Rusty & Sam

PS -- A new weekly Cutest Dog Competition starts Sunday. Merci says she doesn't know whether she wants to continue, since it is such a hassle much of the time for voters. We decided to see what idiocy they come up with this week before making a decision. Should you want to vote anyway, her direct link is http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=194291465301F78C17ECD3F5BA4AB250 Thanks to all of you who persevered even when we were offline and not reminding you.

13 comments:

  1. I would love to hear his talk. My Dad wrote a book about his experiences in the war in Patton's tank force! .

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  2. Wow, that would be quite an honor to hear him speak. If he ever comes to Texas Mommy would love to go. She loves hearing stories of the war. Her Godfather was in London all during the war and he used to tell her stories all the time.

    God Bless him and all the other veterans whi were there.

    {{{higgies}}}...Mona

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  3. I did a term paper once on the men of the Enola Gay. Some untrue things were written about what happened to them afterward.

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  4. Wow! Your Mom always gets to do cool stuff! Glad she got to hear Van Kirk Speak... GBA. (God Bless America)

    Last speekur our Mom hurd was a holocaust survivor - furry good.

    We went and voted - got right through - after putting in our email and password. Why we hafes ta do dat is makes no sense to us!

    luff n purrz
    Katie Too

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  5. Hopefully all the bugs have been gotten out of the contest this week.

    The Mommy would love to hear Van Kirk speak. Her & youngest boy bean love history. Mommy's Grandpa was in World War I and one of her Uncles was in World War II, another in Korea and the youngest Uncle in Vietnam (we showed his picture on our blog holding baby Mommy).

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  6. Hey Gang,
    The contest let us vote today and we were able to cast the first vote of the day for Merci, so just hang in there. YAHOO.
    - TBH&K

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  7. I bet that was khwite an event!

    Tank woo fur sharing it!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra
    PeeEssWoo: BTW, pikhkle nose is an official deskhription/term of endearment -
    http://armyoffourdigest.blogspot.com/2006/09/pickle-nose.html

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  8. What an interesting talk your mommy went to! My mommy builds WWII model airplanes for hobby (yeah, I know that's kinda wierd). You wouldn't believe how the B-29 dwarfs the other planes...even the B-17.
    (I'm blind, but my mommy tells me so.)

    I'm glad I found your interesting blog.

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  9. Sure am glad I found your blog. You have almost as many animals as I do. That sounds like a wonderful luncheon. What a great oportunity to hear him speak.

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  10. Sounds like Jan went to a very interesting talk. Glad to hear she enjoyed it. Hope you are all having a great Sunday.


    Moe, Mindy, Bono, Cookie & Mike

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  11. Sounds interesting... you mean she didn't bring you anything .... from a luncheon? Not fair.

    xox
    Chef

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  12. Dog Dad loves hearing veterans talk and the decision to drop the "bomb" is one we remember reading about. When Dog Dad was just a pup, his one neighbor talked to him about WW I and the gas attacks. Grand Paw was in WW II, like most of his friends pawthers.

    We have to admit that at first confusion existed, because we couldn't understand why there were no stories about taking care of animals. Then Dog Dad explained, he wasn't that kind of vet. BOL

    Essex & Deacon

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  13. there is sumpin reely weerd goin on wif Merci's votin...

    it said 50 or something before.

    now it says only 6???

    did they start over?

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