More to the Veterans Air story than turkeys and gliders.
Filled with people and company names, an article published without by-line creates the basis of this Veterans Air post. Source: The Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY, Nov 30, 1945
Filled with people and company names, an article published without by-line creates the basis of this Veterans Air post. Source: The Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY, Nov 30, 1945
One gorgeous summer day at Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus, three students and I delved into a conversation about Veterans Air Express. The outcome? This 3-part video.
Part 1 of 3-part video featuring unfolding Veterans Air history is released today. Founder’s daughter, Gaye Lyn, tells the story to student research project at Embry-Riddle Florida.
Amazing how 4,872 miles can roll by without boredom. Meeting special people and continuing Veterans Air research recently spread out over 33 days.
A spectacular batch of 1946 Veterans Air Line images and press clippings ignited lively conversation. I was in Florida to meet Craig Broughton and his wife Carol. And to learn more about Craig’s dad, Richard Broughton, who was one of my Dad’s DC-4 pilots for the UNRRA. Dick flew four of our post-war relief deliveries to Warsaw, Prague and Athens in 1946. Don’t miss this story.
Our Dads would have loved the role they played in friendships that have developed between their “kids.” Just three weeks ago today, Ellen Stettner and I met for a second time and had dinner. Like sisters, we talked and talked. So lovely. Her dad, Veterans Air pilot Jack Stettner, helped my Dad found the airline.
He said “…I am not selling anything. Don’t hang up!” I had to laugh. That’s my line when I contact people about Veterans Air Express for the first time. So I promised I wouldn’t hang up. Glad I didn’t! Here’s the story of my first contact with John Schaus, DC-3 pilot for Dad’s company in 1946.
A new treasure…a photo of Robert C. Chambers standing with our first DC-3 in 1945 while she still looked like the government surplus Army C-47 she had been. And breaking news…Chambers was the DC-3 Chief Pilot with Veterans! Bet you didn’t know that! I didn’t before today. Come see.
Veterans Air Express Navigator Edward Martz regaled me with stories I have not heard before. In our face-to-face meeting last month in New Jersey, Ed Martz shared vivid memories from his 1946 flights behind the Iron Curtain. You don’t want to miss the full story!
Look who I found!! Two sons, Craig & Robert, of 1945 1st Officer Richard Broughton. And two original crew members, Edward Martz, navigator, living in NJ and Thomas Cowart, flight engineer, living in SC. They ALL flew multiple trips for the Veterans Air Express United Nations war relief contract to Prague, Warsaw and Athens. It’s intriguing! And I am psyched!