Eason and Chambers families attend my talk about
Veterans Air
What an honor! Members of the Eason and Chambers families attend my talk about the still unfolding story of Veterans Air. It was on July 13th at the Airliners International 2018 Conference and Convention in Washington DC.
Charles Eason’s son Peter with his wife Dana, and Robert Chambers’ son and daughter Bruce and Barbara with their spouses Janet and Paul Morrison are in the audience. Plus my husband, Harry Pollitt.
The staff includes 25 ex-pilots who between them hold 23 DFCs, 96 Air Medals, 72 battle stars, 3 Silver Stars, 7 Purple Hearts and a Croix de Guerre….a total of more than 60,000 flying hours and have flown every type of Army plane
I don’t know that the “kids” heard anything new about their dad or father-in-law. In fact, most of the stories about Charles and Robert I had gathered from their sons. What I hoped for was they might gain an even broader understanding for the post-World War II endeavor in which both their dads played major roles. And perhaps a first-time glimpse of the calibre and character of all those who joined Veterans Air – as encapsulated in a feature article in New York World-Telegram (6 May 1946)
Second and third generation Veterans Air family
After the talk, we all gathered for a fun get together in a quiet corner of the hotel lobby bar.
Not in a million years in April 2015 when I began this research would I have imagined such a gathering. And this was the second one! Remember the first party in October 2017 at Peter and Dana’s home? That was a grand time, too!
In D.C. was the first that Barbara, Bill and I had met…and I was excited. Then, it got better. Rachel, their daughter and Robert Chambers’ delightful granddaughter, joined us!
I looked around the table in awe of the fact that we were the second and third generation of Veterans Air. I’m so grateful to Harry for taking these photos. Unlike me, he remembered!
About their dads – Charles and Robert
Below, a gathering of the stories on this website about the men and families we were reminiscing over, discovering and celebrating that July 13, 2018, evening.
Charles F. Eason
Bottom left: A 2017 VAE party with Eason, Frome, Stettner and Gravely families.
Right: Son Paul with grandson Evan Eason first meeting with Gaye Lyn in Santa Fe.
2015 June 1. Peter, Charles Eason’s youngest son, returned my call.
2015 July 31. Charles Eason’s 3rd son, Paul, visits Santa Fe with Charles’ grandson, Evan. We celebrate Happy Hour on the rooftop of La Fonda Hotel at sunset! Doesn’t get any better!
2017 October 29. Scroll down to meet more of the Eason family at a party hosted by Peter and his wife, Dana. You’ll meet lots of other families, too, on this Oct-Nov 2017 sojourn.
Robert C. Chambers
Bottom row: Chambers with sons Bruce and William each in military uniform, and relaxing with son Bruce.
2016 February 20. I found the family via son Bruce.
2016 February 24. Three photographs with stories to tell!
- Robert with VAE’s 1st surplus DC-3 that he’s just picked up from the Army (soon to be the Gaye Lyn). This photo is a true “gift” from Bruce.
- The DC-3 now in VAE livery – and my name!!! – piloted by Robert Montanarella.
- Group shot with Chambers & Montanarella standing together (again) in the cargo bay door above 11 other VAE men, including Saunie, my Dad.
2016 May 25. The day Bruce Chambers met me in NJ with a stuffed file folder of unbelievable clippings, photos, DC-3 crew documents, stock certificates and more!!!!
QUICK P.S.
Look what Bruce Chambers found very recently — misfiled among his dad’s papers. It’s only the 2nd business card in our memorabilia trove. Handsome, isn’t it?
