Over the past two decades, I’ve often found myself troubled by how divided our country has become. In trying to understand this, I looked up the word patriotism.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, patriotism means, “love for or devotion to one’s country.” It notes that even people who are ideologically opposed can still share a deep sense of patriotism
Today, we’re witnessing strong feelings — even hostility — toward our nation’s President. But like all those who came before him, he was elected through a democratic process.
Have all Presidents been universally liked? Certainly not. In my own lifetime, there were several I didn’t fully agree with.
But I never let political disagreements affect my love for our country. Regardless of who holds the office, the position of Commander in Chief deserves our respect.
As veterans, we swore an oath and, in essence, signed a blank check made payable to the United States of America — for an amount up to and including our lives.
That oath meant following the orders of the Commander in Chief and upholding the Constitution, the very foundation that has made our country what it is today: a beacon of freedom and opportunity unmatched anywhere else in the world.
We at VFW Post 1545 are grateful for all who continue to support our events. A big thank-you to everyone who joins us for Bingo night — it’s always a pleasure to welcome you.
Our next Bingo event will be on Thursday, August 7th. Come enjoy a fun evening and grab a snack, courtesy of the Main Street Community Center.
We were also honored to serve BBQ at last week’s Summer Concert Series at CD Lane Park, hosted by the Windham Chamber of Commerce.
It was a fantastic evening, and we appreciate everyone who came out and supported us. Thank you, as always, for standing with our veterans and our community.
This week I would like to announce another WWII veteran who lost his life serving our country. He is U.S. Army Air Force 1st Lt. Wylie W. Leverett, 28, of Wortham, Texas, killed during World War II, was accounted for Aug. 21, 2024.
In late 1944, Leverett was assigned to the 708th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group, 4th Combat Bomb Wing, 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force, in the European Theater. On Dec. 30, Leverett, the pilot onboard a B-17G “Flying Fortress” Fuddy Duddy, was lost when his aircraft collided with another American aircraft while on a bombing mission to Mannheim, Germany. As the formation of bombers neared their attack location, a bomber in the low position of the lead squadron suddenly lost altitude. At the same time, Fuddy Duddy rose in altitude. It’s not known why these two aircraft unexpectedly changed their altitude simultaneously, but witnesses suspected the prop-wash from the formation created turbulence around the bombers. Surviving aircrew reported seeing the first Flying Fortresses’ propellers slicing through Fuddy Duddy’s thin aluminum skin cutting the aircraft fuselage in two. Fuddy Duddy then rolled over and went into an uncontrolled spin downwards. The other aircraft, also badly damaged, careened downward, falling through the clouds.
Of the 18 personnel serving aboard the two aircraft, only two Fuddy Duddy crewmen survived the incident. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, local farmers from Mudau, Germany, found 13 of the remaining 16 crew members. The civilians brought the remains to the Catholic church at Steinbach where they were laid out and examined and eventually buried in a single mass grave. To identify Leverett’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological and circumstantial analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA analysis. Leverett’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Leverett will be buried in Dallas, Texas, in 2025.
Let us remember this veteran and all who paid the ultimate price for our country and our way of life. God Bless America and keep our still serving troops in your thoughts and prayers.
Marc Farmilette, PDC – Commander VFW Post 1545
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