Please Pray for my Mom

[jonthepain]

My stepfather, Bob, fell and hit his head two weeks ago, suffering a subdural hematoma. He died this morning at 10:30. He was 88. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving aboard a B-17 in WWII, by saving the life of a fellow crewmember (the lower turret gunner.)

Please pray for my Mom (Betsy) and his sons Cliff and Bobby.

Thanks,
jon

[Simp]

Will do Jon! I'm very sorry for you and your families loss. Simp

[miguel]

will do buddy ,sorry for your lost.please take it day by day.be well. m cartagena.:(

[finchaser]

Prayers sent:(

[DarkSkies]

My stepfather, Bob, fell and hit his head two weeks ago, suffering a subdural hematoma. He died this morning at 10:30. He was 88. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving aboard a B-17 in WWII, by saving the life of a fellow crewmember (the lower turret gunner.)

Please pray for my Mom (Betsy) and his sons Cliff and Bobby.

Thanks,
jon


A long time friend was a turrett gunner in WWII, Jon. Tough times those guys went through.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I called today on the way to Forked River, I must have called after he passed. I'll keep Betsy, Cliff, and Bobby in my prayers. So sorry, Jon. http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/images/icons/icon9.gif

My deepest condolences to them and your family.

[gjb1969]

may he rip:(

[Monty]

Prayers sent. Condolences to you and the family.

[surfstix1963]

Thoughts and prayers to you and your family so sorry for your families loss.

[rip316]

Sorry for your loss. RIP

[Doublerunner]

Jon very sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

[Pebbles]

Jon, I am so sorry! It is so tragic when a loved ones dies suddenly. I will keep your mom, yourself and your step-father's loved ones in my prayers. May the lord help heal your broken hearts and may your step-father forever rest in peace in our Lords heavenly kingdom.

The Lord is my Shepherd - Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

10359

[tropics]

Jon sorry to hear of your families loss, Prayers go out for you and your Mom. Be strong she will need you more now.

Richie

[surfwalker]

Jon, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Very sorry to hear of your loss.

[basshunter]

Thoughts and prayers. I am sorry to hear of this.

[jonthepain]

thanks everybody. service is this sunday at the B17 memorial museum in Savannah.

[DarkSkies]

Jon, I was talking to my friend, my adopted Grandfather, the other night. He was a Tail gunner and Flight Engineer on those B-17s during WWII, probably a job similar to what your stepfather did.

He only talks about part of his experience, some of it he feels shouldn't be discussed because the details are too gory.

I have to give credit to him, your Stepfather, and all the brave souls who fought over there for our freedom.

Many didn't make it home, maybe that's partly why they don't like to talk about it. Whatever the reason, these men were cut from a different cloth than some people today. They endured great suffering, some were tortured, and they saw some of their best buddies blown to bits.

I thought I would post up some of the things about the museum as a way of honoring your Stepfather and the brave men who fought in a war that many seemed to have forgotten. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[DarkSkies]

http://www.mightyeighth.org/history.htm

History of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Bomber Command (Re-designated 8th AF in February 1944) was activated as part of the United States Army Air Forces January 28, 1942, at Hunter Field in Savannah, Georgia. Brigadier General Ira C. Eaker took the headquarters to England the next month to prepare for its mission of conducting aerial bombardment missions against Nazi-occupied Europe. During World War II, under the leadership of such Generals as Eaker and Jimmy Doolittle, the 8th AF became the greatest air armada in history. By mid-1944, the 8th AF had reached a total strength of more than 200,000 people (it is estimated that more than 350,000 Americans served in 8th AF during the war in Europe). At its peak, the 8th AF could dispatch more than 2,000 four-engine bombers and 1,000 fighters on a single mission. For these reasons, the 8th AF became known as the "Mighty Eighth".
http://www.mightyeighth.org/photos/cmh.jpgThe Mighty Eighth compiled an impressive record in the war. This achievement, however, carried a high price. The 8th AF suffered one-half of the U.S. Army Air Forces’ casualties in World War II (47,000-plus casualties with more than 26,000 deaths). The Eighth’s personnel also earned 17 Medals of Honor, 220 Distinguished Service Crosses, 850 Silver Stars, 7,000 Purple Hearts 46,000 Air Medals. Many more uncounted awards were presented to the 8th AF veterans after the war. There were 261 fighter aces and 305 gunner aces in the Eighth in World War II; 31 of those fighter aces had more than 15 or more aircraft kills.
After the war in Europe, in July 1945, the 8th AF headquarters moved to Okinawa, where it trained new bomber groups for combat against Japan. The Japanese, however, surrendered before the 8th AF saw action in the Pacific Theater. In June 1946, the headquarters moved to McDill Field, Florida, to become part of the newly established Strategic Air Command. Four years later; November 1950, the 8th AF headquarters transferred to Fort Worth Army Field (later Carswell Air Force Base) in Texas.
http://www.mightyeighth.org/photos/DSC00883%20copy.jpgDuring the Korean War, several 8th AF units deployed to Japan to fly combat missions. Following, the Eighth spent its next few years building its strategic capabilities. On June 13, 1955, the 8th AF moved to Westover, Massachusetts, where it guided the transition of its units into the jet age with the B-47 and the KC-97 aircraft. The Air Force phased out those aircraft in the early 1960s for newer B-58 and B-52 bombers, and KC-135 tankers. Additionally, the Eighth acquired Atlas and Titan intercontinental ballistic missiles.
http://www.mightyeighth.org/photos/History_ofMighty8thAF.jpgIn 1965, the 8th AF started performing combat operations in support of the Southeast Asian Conflict. At first, stateside-based 8th AF wings deployed periodically to operating bases in Guam, Okinawa, and Thailand, but then in April 1970, the headquarters moved to Anderson AFB, Guam, to take over the direction of all strategic operations. The intensive bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong during 11 days in December 1972, known as LINEBACKER 2 or the "Christmas Day Bombing Campaign," was but one highlight of that period. Those missions influenced the North Vietnamese government to return to the negotiating table. After the hostilities ended in Southeast Asia, the 8th AF moved to Barksdale on January 1, 1975.
Eighth AF units played a key role in Desert Storm by spreading the Gulf War air campaign. Launched from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, B-52s conducted effective conventional air-launched cruise missile strikes on numerous Iraqi targets to open the war. Numbered air force bomber units in the theater and at nearby locations also attacked Iraq’s Republican Guard and other important strategic targets, while air refueling units provided most of the support to Coalition aircraft. Other assets provided tactical reconnaissance.
After Desert Storm, the Mighty Eighth reorganized to become a general-purpose numbered air force with a war fighting mission to support the U.S. Strategic Command. The Eighth currently demonstrates that role in yearly large-scale exercises. In 1996, the Eighth also directed the highly successful Desert Strike mission against Iraq.

8th Air Force Fact Sheet (PDF) (http://www.mightyeighth.org/Library/PDFs/8thAFfacts.pdf)
Bomber & Fighter Groups (http://www.mightyeighth.org/Library/PDFs/8thAFBomb%20&FighterGroups.pdf)

[buckethead]

The men who fought for our country can not be given enough credit or honored enough. I thank God for giving men like your step-father the strength and courage to endure all that they went through.

I am sorry for your loss.