I need your help.

In September, I will be accompanying a 92-year old friend who is a combat veteran of WWII to the WWII memorial in DC.

It's a project of Honor Flight - the veterans have an all-expense-paid tour in DC for two days. I will go at my own expense as his official guardian on the trip.

Dick Plowden flew P-47 Thunderbolts in ground support for the troops. He had to eject once when his engine was shot up; he made it back to our lines and got right back in a cockpit to fly again. Dick later became a Colonel in the U.S.A.F. reserves. Some of you might recall that I wrote about him here before.

Here's a pic of Dick with his crew chief in front of his plane during the war:



Here he is as he appears today, holding a model of a P-47 that carries his old unit colors:



If you would like to help me honor him on this trip, here's how. On the return flight, there will be "mail call." At this time we will give each vet on the flight cards and letters from people who just want to say that they appreciate his service in the war.

The picture below explains the procedure. My objective is to see that Dick receives at least 100 cards and letters. You can forward this .JPG file to your friends and ask them if they can help too. I know this will be an exceptional memory for this old vet who will probably not be with us much longer.

The WWII vets are dying out now at the rate of around 1,000 per day. This is your chance to wish at least one of them some well-deserved good will. It would mean so much to him and to me if you would take the time to do this. This will be a secret from him until he gets the mail. Thanks in advance! You guys and gals are terrific.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Wonderful way to honor WWII vets. Good job!
Count me in, John.

Any chance you'd be able to swing by the NRA National Firearms Museum outside of DC in Fairfax, VA? I'd love to give them a tour of the museum!

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High Caliber History

So we mail the card to the address at the end of the letter correct?

I'll get mine on the way this weekend!

DONE !!!!!!

Hell, I'm trying to write my letter now and I can't see the screen, it's all foggy....

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I'm Proud To Be An American!

I'm in! And thanks John, for doing what you're doing.
You're a good man for it.

I've written my letter and just need to send it courtesy of my wife, the mail lady.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Mines an envelope to Col. Dick Plowden inside an envelope, hope that works...

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I'm Proud To Be An American!

Correct, and thanks!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Right. Send it to the address at the end of the HF bulletin.

Thanks!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Unfortunately, every minute of the trip has been carefully scheduled already - but many thanks for the offer!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Just as one small example, one lady who is writing Dick a letter is sharing the bulletin posted here with all the members of her bridge club, and urging them to write also.

Another is putting the information on her Facebook page, and urging her friends to write, as she is.

I'm hoping this will really snowball to the point where Dick may get a duffel bag of letters. He deserves any and all he will get!

Thanks to all of you - hope you can keep this ball rolling with your friends and relatives.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

This is a GREAT idea! I feel like I'm doing something to pay back just a little by at least recognizing and remembering.

Man, that is ONE BIG PROPELLER!

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

What a GREAT idea!!!!

Very cool!! Good on you John. My wife also did this for her father a few years ago. It was a three day
trip to honor WWII & Korean war vets. It was all he talked about for a very long time afterwards. Sadly he passed away recently at the age of 88. We have saved enough money over the years to fly the immediately family to Arlington for his burial.
We will write our letter this weekend.
God Bless

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I reckon so

Ill get mine out early next week. Glad to send something to someone who went through what he did.About ten years ago,we did somehting like this for a WWII vet. Sadly,he's been gone for about six years now.Anyway,his wife had told us what it had meant to him.With all congrats to a successful idea.

Count me in.

I asked Jar Wrench, she told me a couple of Facebook groups to share it with, so am going to do some social media exposure for you.

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Soli Deo Gloria

Way to go, gal! Many thanks! I hope more will take the initiative and emulate you!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I took Dick to lunch today, and I can tell you all that he is really looking forward to the DC trip. The last time he was there was just going through on a train during WWII, so it should be a terrific treat to see the WWII memorial which is dedicated to him and all who served in that pivotal time in our history.

I sure hope each and every one who reads this thread will take the time to send Dick a letter thanking him for his service. He took the time today to thank me for mine (Army officer assigned to atomic weapons training, logistics and security stateside during the Cuban missile crisis) - which I consider to be insignificant compared to his. I told him I appreciated that he was a combat veteran. He told me that combat was no sweat - the secret was in surviving. I told him back that he was one of the fortunate few, and that I would always admire him for his courage of going in harm's way for his country. So very few do so today.

Again, I hope you all will deluge him with cards and letters. He's a truly humble man who helped the U.S. through a very trying time, and he deserves accolades. There are not many like him left.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I'm in, John.

And I also took the liberty of posting it to Facebook.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

You're hoping for at least 100? I'd be willing to bet you get just a few more than that!

I'm in, too!

bump to top

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I'm Proud To Be An American!

I would hope that Dick is also writing or at least recording his story for future generations to both enjoy and learn from. Some of the best reminiscences that I have read involve little in the way of the few minutes of the chaos of combat but more in how a dumb farm kid grows up fast. Please encourage the story telling.....and thanks.

Done. Will go into the postal office tomorrow.

My uncle was a WW II POW, his recorded story is riveting and will (upon his death) be available to everyone as part of the Library of Congress Veterans Stories collection.

Never forget!

This will be just a note to keep those letters flowing! Col. Dick Plowden is an humble man; reluctant to be acknowledged as the hero he is and one of America's "greatest generation." You know what? I want to see his eyes light up when he reads the more than 100 letters I want for him on the return flight from DC to Phoenix. He needs to KNOW his bravery and his sacrifices have been appreciated. If you've ever wanted to say "Thanks for your service" to a WWII combat veteran, but haven't had the opportunity because there aren't that many left, then this is your opportunity. Do this. You will know that you did a good thing, the right thing. It's a repayment in small measure for a life willingly spent to help us all keep free from tyranny.

On a sad note, Dick lost his wife a couple of years ago. They were married right after the war. It took a lot out of him, as they were inseparable sweethearts. Her pictures are prominent in his home. The Honor Flight and your letters will be an incredible boost to his morale. The details and address to send your letter are in the OP. I will be grateful to you, and I know Dick will be also when he receives your letter.

Again, many thanks to all of you.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

If you haven't sent a letter (per the OP), please take this opportunity to do so! Information on this tribute to Col. Dick Plowden has gone viral all over the country, and I'm determined to see that he gets a duffel bag full of mail on his Honor Flight return flight. Please - you may never get another opportunity to thank at least one of the genuine WWII heroes before they all die out.

I personally want to thank all who have responded. It would be a nice weekend thing to do if you haven't done it yet! I'm counting on you!

All the best,
John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I'll definitely be writing something up for him! It'll be an honor.

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John 14:6, Luke 21:11

Count me in!

Please keep those cards and letters flowing, guys and gals! If you have already answered this call, great! Bring a few friends in on this opportunity as well - the opportunity to thank a member of the greatest generation for going in harm's way for us all and preventing our enemies from prevailing in WWII. I'm counting on you to spread the word!

Again, many thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing Dick Plowden's eyes light up when he receives a duffel-bag full of cards and letters at mail call on his return from D.C.! It will be great, and you folks will have helped make it happen.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

John, I will send one out from the Bahhhhstun contingent.

Pete

Just a bump to the top as a reminder, if you haven't already done so, you'll need to get your letter to Col. Plowden in the mail by September 5!

And again, my sincere thanks to all who have responded.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -