Monday, May 21, 2012
Rain and poor visual conditions forced the Commemorative Air Force to push back to Tuesday its trip to Martin State Airport.
Poor weather conditions have forced the delay of the arrival of three World War II bombers, set to be at Martin State Airport Monday afternoon. Commemorative Air Force spokeswoman Kim Pardon said the weather made it impossible for the three bombers—a B-29 "Fifi," a B-24 and a P-51 Mustang—to arrive in Middle River. "Unfortunately, this happens from time to time," said Pardon, who added that the aircraft are coming from Lexington, KY. "The weather is not something we can always plan for." Pardon said the delay will mean the bombers will now only be in Maryland on Tuesday and Wednesday. The visit is part of the Maryland Aviation Museum's 100th anniversary celebration of the Glenn L. Martin Co. Whether the bombers will be able to arrive …
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Commemorative Air Force will bring three bombers to Martin State Airport next week for people to view, and for some, to fly.
World War II may have ended more than 60 years ago, but if you're interested, you can have the chance to experience first-hand what it is like to be a fighter pilot during that time. The Commemorative Air Force, a Texas non-profit that educates the public about historic military aircraft, will bring three WWII planes to Martin State Airport next week in Middle River. Follow Essex-Middle River Patch on Facebook and Twitter and receive daily updates with our newsletters. The event, set for May 21-23, is part of the Maryland Aviation Museum's 100th anniversary celebration of the Glenn L. Martin Co. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people to actually see, and in some cases, fly in an aircraft used in World War II," museum …
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Austin Hanna, 88, was granted his wish to fly in a plane at the Essex Skypark thanks to the generosity of local pilots.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Ron Snyder
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Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Austin Hanna doesn’t get around like he used to. The 88-year-old longtime Essex resident is a World War II veteran and owned a business for decades. But in recent years, Hanna had trouble walking and moved into the Franklin Woods assisted living center. Hanna’s niece, Debbi Mullinix, wants to ensure that just because her uncle has his limitations doesn’t mean he still can’t live life to the fullest. Over the last several months, Mullinix took Hanna out to eat, bowling and to the movies. But, it was a recent drive that would provide Hanna with his greatest experience of all. Mullinix was driving Hanna around Essex when he asked her to make a sudden turn. That turn led the pair into the Essex Skypark, which brought back many great memories …
Friday, March 2, 2012
The display at the library recognizes the military contributions of the first African-American military aviators in the U.S. armed forces.
Dr. Cyril O. Byron Sr. often felt like he was fighting two wars while in the Army during World War II. Byron, 91, was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen—the first African-American military aviators in the U.S. armed forces— and served in Sicily trying to rid Europe of tyrannical leaders like Italy's Benito Mussolini and Germany's Adolf Hitler. Yet at the same time, like other African-Americans, he lived in a country where whites and blacks couldn’t go to the same restaurants, stay in the same hotels or even drink from the same water fountains. Still, Byron, who was not a pilot during the war, said he never wavered in his support of the United States or his desire to defeat the enemy. “Many times while overseas people asked me and other …
Monday, November 21, 2011
As Thanksgiving approaches, Keith Roberts gives thanks to local World War II veterans who have passed away in recent years.
Several years ago, during the Memorial Day Services at the Lamky, Luther, Whitehead Veterans Memorial, World War II veteran Al Clasing requested that all WWII veterans in attendance please step forward. A small group of very proud survivors made their way to the front of the monument. Each succeeding year, the number of veterans who come forward has grown increasingly smaller. According to the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, 16,112,566 Americans served in the Armed Forces during World War II. Today, 740 World War II veterans die each day. That means just 1.7 million of the 16 million who served during that time are alive today. In my last column, we mentioned the fact that many residents of eastern Baltimore…
Saturday, November 12, 2011
About 30 people gathered at the Lamky Luther Whitehead Veterans Memorial to honor local residents who served our country.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Ron Snyder
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Saturday, November 12, 2011
About 30 people gathered Friday for the annual Veterans Day memorial service at the Lamky Luther Whitehead Veterans Memorial in Middle River. Veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam were present during the hour-long service, that included the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, the singing of "America the Beautiful," and the presenting of a memorial wreath by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 965 from Edgemere. In addition, participants read out loud the names of the most recent veterans who were added to the memorial, located at Holly Hill Memorial Garden. The service ended with residents approaching the group of veterans and thanking them for their service to this country.
Friday, November 11, 2011
During a service in Middle River, World War II veterans Al Clasing, Leon Kirkendall and Edgar Launstein honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
- Ron Snyder
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Friday, November 11, 2011
Al Clasing knows he is literally part of a dying breed. Clasing, joined by fellow veterans and Essex residents Edgar Launstein and Leon Kirkendall, is part of “The Greatest Generation,” World War II veterans who helped fight off the Nazis and Imperial Japan nearly 70 years ago. The men, each pushing 90, stood tall Friday as they helped honor fellow former soldiers, sailors and marines as part of a Veterans Day ceremony at the Lamky, Luther, Whitehead Veterans Memorial in Middle River. Clasing, 86, enlisted in the U.S. Navy just shy of his 18th birthday. Assigned to the U. S. Navy III Amphibious Forces, Clasing served in the Pacific Theatre, where he participated in the amphibious invasions at Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, the Marshall Islands …
Monday, October 3, 2011
Bernie Sledzik, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, is scheduled to appear Monday at a monthly speaker series along with host Tom Jones, an astronaut and Kenwood grad.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Ron Snyder
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Monday, October 3, 2011
World War II fighter pilot Bernie Sledzik, who flew ground support missions during the Battle of the Bulge, is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Monday at the Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum. Sledzik's appearance is part of the museum's monthly speaker series. Each talk is open to the public and includes refreshments. Sledzik will speak at the Lockheed Martin auditorium at 2323 Eastern Boulevard. A photo ID is required of all attendees, and children must be escorted by an adult with a photo ID. Former astronaut and honorary board member Tom Jones, a Kenwood graduate, is hosting the event.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Dundalkian Nettie Jones, 86, came to Baltimore after graduating high school in West Virginia and spent two-and-a-half years working on the B-26 bomber assembly line at Glenn L. Martin.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Ron Cassie
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Tuesday, June 28, 2011
"All the day long, Whether rain or shine, She's a part of the assembly line. She's making history, Working for victory, Rosie the Riveter. Keeps a sharp lookout for sabotage, Sitting up there on the fuselage. That little girl will do more than a male will do..." – “Rosie the Riveter,” written by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb Nettie Jones grew up on a farm deep in the heart of West Virginia and graduated high school on a Friday in late May 1943. That Monday, she and her 17-year-old sister packed their bags and headed for Baltimore. Their father, who worked for the railroad, bought the two girls one-way tickets and gave them $100 each. “Well, to be honest, I had been dating a guy, an old boyfriend, who had gotten a job at Glenn L. …
John K
11:46 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
The P-51 carried to drop tanks, which gave them longer range. more ›