In the company of a Hero - a true honor

[Bob Zambelli]

The pastor of my church mentioned that his father-in-law was in the Army Air Core in WWII and if I could, would I be willing to take him up in my airplane?

Naturally, I jumped at the chance  since I really like to have company when I fly and, more important, I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the few surviving WWII veterans.

While flying, he mentioned that he had to wear hearing aids – his hearing was damaged by the sound of the twins he flew in the war. “What twins?” I asked. The B-25 Mitchell!!! He explained that after a number of bombing missions in the Mitchell, he  switched to fighters, flying the P-51. Turns out he served in both the Pacific and European theaters, with a total of over 70 missions!!!! 

After the flight, we went to his house to chat a bit and watch some NASCAR. I looked at a framed item on the wall. What I saw nearly brought tears to my eyes  :  THIRTEEN medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross. There was also a picture of him in the cockpit of an F-86, which he also flew. Next to that was a framed “Letter of Valor” also awarded to him.

So, not only did we have a wonderful flight but also I was honored to be in the company of a true hero, a marvelously rare experience. 

As a sidenote, when I picked him up at his house, I did so in my newly restored FIAT 124 Spider and he was thrilled – said he couldn’t remember the last time he was in an open car.

This fine Christian Gentleman, Major (ret) John Sacker will be 90 at the end of the month. Yes, we will fly some more.

Bob Z.

[john e. holliday]

Great to hear such a story and that you were willing to do it for one of our heroes.  My father-in-law was a WWII vet, but, all I could get out of him was that he served under Patten.  Hope you two have lots more fun,  DOC Holliday

[Paul Taylor]

Nice story Bob.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Next time take some pictures please?


Paul

[Bootlegger]

      Bob Tell him that we THANK him and all veterans that have served...

[Doug Moon]

With that kind of flight experience I bet the history channel could get some great info for their dogfights show!!  Would be a shame to miss out on such a great amount of history in just one individual.

We do thank him for his service.

My grandfather was a Marine in the Pacific theater.  He was a radio man.  They went ahead and called back positions to the airmen and ground artillery.  It was a scary position to be for sure.  He wouldnt talk about it for years but just a few short years before he passed he did open up about it little bit.  The things he said about it gave him good reason to not want to talk about it all those years.  Except for one time when he and one his buddy were hiding out in the bomb bay area of a twin engine bomber, he couldnt recall the model of it, but they sat in there all day while the newly stationed pilots were shooting landings and learning the runways, and practicing the opening and closing the doors of the belly of the plane.  He said that was one of the highlights of the war for him and his friend.  He knew then he should have flown planes!

[James Mills]

We certainly can't thank our veterans enough, I don't think we'll ever know the price they have paid and what we owe them.  Both of my grandfathers served in WW 2.  My mothers dad was a commando in the Army, served in both the Italian and German front, paratrooped into Normandy.  An Army Captain was reading off his different medals and commendations and had several that were from other countries that he wasn't sure exactly what they were for besides valor.  My dad's father served in Pacific theater, Army Infantry.  The only phone call I ever got from him was when he found out I was trying to volunteer for Desert Storm as a part of reenlistment (he threatened to drive up here a kick my tail for trying to pick a fight over seas even though he was proud of me).  Thankfully I never had to serve in combat.

To all the vets, THANKS AND GOD BLESS.

James

[Wayne J. Buran]

We chose to downsize, so in October of 2005 we moved from Avon Lake, Ohio, our home for sixteen years to the town of Medina which is about an hour south. Its a great town and has been in existence since 1817. Its still quaint and even though growing, the square reeks of historical buildings. My wife acquired for me a neat little book called "Images of America Medina". Covers the history well with pictures and all. There is a good section on WW II and its effects on the little community. On page 101 is a picture of Lt. Elmer Zarney and his P-51 " BEE-ZEE the second" named after his wife Betty. Elmer flew 82 recognisance missions and made it back home after the war. His older brother Joe was a pilot also and flew George Patton around in a plane called "The Pride of Medina". My wife works with Elmer Zarney's granddaughter and had the picture on page 101 autographed by Elmer. The plan was to have lunch sometime and share stories. Elmer Zarney died in his sleep last week. Another hero is lost. I wish we would have had lunch.
Wayne Buran
USAF Vet