[Dustin Faulkner]

Hello:

This is the "Off Topic" section so here's something really off topic I just had to share with the myArmoury folks. In about a week I get to fly to Washington D.C. to attend a reunion of the U.S.A.A.F.'s 5th Bomber Group. This includes a bomber squadron - the 31st BS - my grandfather flew in as a B-17 pilot in the Pacific theater during W.W. II.

My grandfather survived the Pearl Harbor attack and later flew in the Battle of Midway from the island itself. He is mentioned in several books about Midway. He later helped defend Australia from places like "Iron Range" and Townsville. His name was Capt. Cecil Faulkner and he flew with some pilots who helped establish Strategic Air Command after the war.

I never knew him. Ironically, he was killed stateside towards the end of the war in a flying accident from Miami to Cuba during a navigation training flight. I guess someone missed a checkpoint because they flew into a mountain. However, a man who was his crewchief before and during the Midway period will attend this reunion too.

A visit to some of the Smithsonian museums are part of our itinerary. I don't suppose any medieval stuff is contained in any of the Smithsonian museums, but it's not everday one gets to meet veterans who experienced events most of us only read about in books.

We can't meet any medieval veterans, but I am happy to meet at least this one gentleman who actually flew with my grandfather after years of getting nowhere with the Air Force historical people despite being a blood relative. My grandfather received the Air Medal, the Distiguished Flying Cross, and a Silver Star. Perhaps I will learn why at this reunion. I wish I had known this heritage when I was in high school and trying to decide what to do with my life. I would have joined the Air Force too.

Putting politics aside for a moment, if you know a veteran of a war, I encourage you to become acquainted with them, and learn of their experiences (if they are willing to talk) before they die. It seems to make them feel appreciated at the very least. We will be the ones to pass along their history ... much like we at myArmoury.com work to preserve the knowledge of the "fechtmeisters" of medieval times.

I just had to share this. Now ... go kill some watermelons with your swords!

[Gottfried P. Doerler]

[Philip C. Ryan]

My Grandaddy drove a halftrack in the Army, fought for the Allies on the German front in WWII. He was at the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes Offensive) in 1944-45. I have several pictures of him and Germany that he brought back, as well as a German swasticka flag he pulled off a building in some city they took (still has char marks/ dirt on it). i don't know any stories as he died in 1985 when I was only 11 years old. However, I do have many fond memories of the only "father figure" in my life, and have even named my son after him.

I envy you, Dustin, that you get to meet someone who actually knew your grandfather. Enjoy your trip and give them all a "Thank You" from me!

[David Wilson]