Page 14 - Aerotech News and Review, Nov. 3 2017

World War II veterans honored in Tehachapi
by Linda KC Reynolds
staff writer
Patriot Guard riders had the honor of escorting World War II veterans around the city of Tehachapi last week.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Robert “Bomb- er Bob” Wood, 92, his friend Sylvia Barns, 81, Staff Sgt. John Grenek, 96, and his wife Jane Grenek, 90, enjoyed a visit to the Police Department and the Tehachapi Municipal Airport to view a PT-22 Stearman Airplane, the same type of aircraft used to train new
pilots in the early 1940s.
Wood was also recognized for his
bravery and pilot skills while flying 35 bombing missions over Nazi Germany in a B-17 Flying Fortress named “Miss Behavin,” and as a rocket scientist in the development of the Thor ballistic missile in the 1960s at Edwards Air Force Base.
Wood joined the U.S. Army in February 1940 and was sent to U.S. Army Air Corps training in Fort Lewis, Wash. After pilot training in 1941, Wood’s entire Army Air Corps division was invited to integrate with the War Department’s new branch of
World War II Veteran Capt. Robert “Bomber Bob” Wood receives a “First Ride” coin from Patriot Guard Steve Blumenfield. Blumenfield said it was an honor, and a nice change, to escort veterans who are still alive.
Photograph by Linda KC Reynolds
service, the U.S. Air Force.
“For Air Force veterans to survive
five bombing missions into enemy ter- ritory is a rare and decorated service achievement,” said Ed Sullivan, a rep- resentative of the National World War II Memorial Committee in Tehachapi, at a luncheon at Big Papa’s after the tour. “This amount of action in war is unheard of.”
Also honored was Staff Sgt. John Grenek who enlisted in the Minne- sota National Guard in January 1940. In 1941 the National Guard was federalized and his unit was sent to Camp Claiborne, La. Grenek arrived in Northern Ireland in February 1942. He was then transferred to England, where he met his future wife, Jane.
Grenek served in the Normandy In- vasion landing on Omaha Beach and also survived the Battle of the Bulge. He is the recipient of five Bronze
Stars. On June 6, 1994, the 50th an- niversary of D-Day, he and his wife toured the battlefields of Normandy where the French government award- ed him the 50th Anniversary “Legion of Honor” Medal.
“Your sacrifices ensure that we have the freedoms we have today,” said Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, commander of the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, during the luncheon. Middleton said that because of love of country and the freedoms Americans hold dear, 16-year-old boys joined the military, claiming they were 18 and unsure of what would happen. “Not only did young men jump in ships in U-boat-infested waters head- ing to Europe, they hopped in aircraft that were slapped together in a period of about three weeks, as Boeing was cranking out approximately 300 or more aircraft a month.” The aircraft
came off the production line and the only test flight they had was flying to Europe, then straight into combat. “We can’t thank you enough,” added Middleton, holding his emotions.
Patriot Guard Ride Captain Jim “Kick Stand” Jacobs said it was an honor to spend time with the veterans. “The sad part is, there are fewer of them every day, so I suggest everyone find a World War II veteran as soon as possible and give them a big hug and thank you while you still can.”
On average, 27,000 people were killed each day between Sept. 1, 1939, until the formal surrender of Japan on Sept. 2, 1945. The war claimed more than 60 million lives, including 405,399 American soldiers. Tehachapi High School will hold a special event honoring World War II veterans on Nov 9.
Photograph by Linda KC Reynolds
World War II veterans Staff Sgt. John Grenek and Capt. Robert “Bomber Bob” Wood were honored and escorted by the Patriot Guard Oct. 27. They toured Tehachapi and the Municipal Airport, where they viewed a PT-22 Stearman Airplane — the same type of aircraft used to train new pilots in the early 1940s. (Front) Richard Parrea, Jane Grenek, John Grenek, Robert “Bomber Bob” Wood and Dick Taylor. (Top) Lino Tores, Steve Blumenfield, Wayne Syrex, Jim Jacobs, Don Holm, Dave Corbin, name not known, Sylvia Barns, Jim Maddison and Milo Barclay. The war claimed more than 60 million lives, including 405,399 American soldiers.
DOD extends online Exchange shopping to veterans
Starting this Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2017, honorably dis- charged veterans can begin shopping online at all the military exchange activities.
The new program was announced by the Department of Defense in January of this year.
At last count, more than 225,000 honorably discharged vet- erans have been verified through the vetverify.org website.
To verify your eligibility, visit https://www.shopmyex- change.com/veterans.
This new program, the first military exchange benefits ex- pansion in nearly 30 years, will allow America’s 18.5 mil- lion veterans to shop online at the military exchange web- sites: ShopMyExchange.com, shopcgx.com, mymcx.com, and mynavyexchange.com.
Shopping the military exchanges online provides veterans an opportunity to reconnect with their military community, allowing these soldiers, airmen, sailors, Marines and Coast Guard “members for life” to save money with tax-free shop- ping and military exclusive pricing while also supporting critical military Quality-of-Life programs.
It is important to note that shopping privileges exclude the purchase of uniforms, alcohol and tobacco products.
“After four years of coordination with the Departments of
Defense, Army and Air Force as well as several other federal agencies, the finish line is in sight,” said Exchange Director/ CEO Tom Shull, who worked tirelessly to secure this new benefit. “We are excited to welcome these Veterans back
home to their military family and ensure all who raised their right hands and served our Nation with honor receive this tangible benefit as a measure of thanks for their service and sacrifice.”
Exchange sales from this newly authorized customer base are expected to be approximately $200 million annually with $10 million in dividends annually for Quality-of-Life pro- grams such as Army Child Development Centers, Youth Pro- grams and Fitness Centers, Air Force Outdoor Recreation, affordable school lunches for war fighters children overseas, combat uniforms below cost and more.
“This initiative represents a low-risk, low-cost opportunity to help fund Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs in support of service members’ and their families’ quality of life. And it’s just the right thing to do,” said Peter Levine, performing the duties for the under secretary of defense for Personnel and Readiness.
“As a nation, we are grateful for the contributions of our service members. Offering this lifetime online benefit is one small, tangible way the nation can say, ‘Thank you’ to those who served with honor,” Levine said.
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November 3, 2017