Here is the crew of "BASTARDS BUNGALO",shot down over Germany while on a bombing mission. My friend Bart Mahoney (3rd from left, front row) was the co-pilot of this B-17.

On the elevENTH hour of the eleventh day of the

Eleventh month in 1918, Armistice was declared to be

in effect on the Western Front thus ending the

conflict known as The Great World War (or, the War to

End all Wars), hence known as Armistice Day.

After WW2 was renamed Veterans Day in honour of all US

veterans.  Just another Federal Holiday to some, we

remember the sacrifices and heroism of our men and

women who have and are serving in the armed services

of The United States of America

  While to others whose heroes threw Hail Mary's or

stole 2nd base, many of us in the military collectors

circle, WW2 historians, or involved with the warbird

community, we have had the honour to meet and speak

with our heroes that we grew up reading about, People

who risked thier lives and saw friends pay the

ultimate price for Freedom.

  We need to remember that for the guy who caught the

pass in the end zone, his game was over that night,

but there are many Vets still flying missions over the

Third Reich every night 62 years later, or shed a tear

when vividly descibing a friends plane being shot down

like it just happened yesterday...becaues in his

mind's eye, it did.

  And let us not forget when we go to sleep at night,

that there are Americans on the other side of the

planet in harms way, risking thier lives, and trying

just to do a good job in difficult circumstances.

  Have a good weekend,

  John & Eileen