Great fun recently meeting sons of Richard Broughton…Craig and his wife Carol in Florida and Bob and his wife Mary in Kentucky. Plus the visit unveiled an unexpected story about their dad and mom. Come read about the Veterans Air Line romance that surprised us all.
This handsome young man is Bernard Francis Shmanske wearing his U.S. Army Air Forces uniform. Bernard entered service when he was 21 years old on 2 September 1942. He completed Flight School Pilot Training in December 1943, served on the pilot training staff, and then flew Martin B26 Maurader twin engine attack bombers.
John J. Noll was a core founder of Veterans Air with six (maybe seven) other WWII vets, including Saunie Gravely, my Dad.
Veterans Air Express Jack Z. Stettner helped found, finance, pilot & manage Dad’s non-sked air line in 1945. I will meet Jack and his family soon.
Veterans Air Express Reunion gave new meaning to “together again.” This first-ever gathering felt like old home week with Jack Stettner and his family in Florida recently. Come share our new photos & some 70-yr old history.
A new treasure…photo of Robert C. Chambers standing with our first DC-3 in 1945 while the aircraft was still government surplus Army C-47 drab grey.
Jack Stettner loved life. He was proud of his family, his WWII service, and his role in co-founding Veterans Air. He would have been 97 today. I celebrate his life in a fashion he would approve.
