HEROES: Honoring them at big event

Hayden Lake residents Col. Arthur Halverson, U.S. Air Force (retired), and his wife Anne were among those attending The 92nd United States Army Air Force/United States Air Force 68th Birthday Reunion at the Northern Quest Resort Hotel And Casino July 22-24, 2010.

The 92nd is the senior, longest serving organization of the Eighth Air Force. From the B-17 bombers of World War II, to the KC135 air refueling tankers of today, these men and their aircraft are an important part of our history.

Historian Lt. Col. Robert Elliott, USAF (retired), was unable to attend due to illness. He is in his 90s. Author Gerald Astor, in his book "The Mighty Eighth," mentions Lt. Col. Elliott as a source of information. We missed you Bob.

Col. Dan Simmons, USAF (retired), and his wife Wendi, were at the reunion. Col. Simmons is the 92nd Air Refueling Wing historian, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.

Lt. Col. Irv Baum, editor of the 92nd Quarterly News, was shot down over Germany in 1944, spent 13 months in Stalag Luft 11 as a prisoner of war. This is the camp featured in the movie "The Great Escape." Lt. Co. Baum and his wife Maria are an inspiration.

Secretary/treasurer Wayne Reece and his wife Mary contribute much time and effort on behalf of the association.

Space is limited. Unable to list individual contributions, wish to thank everyone for supporting the association.

Thanks to Buck Knives Inc., the Buck family, the Coeur d'Alene Press, Post Falls Press and our other donors, we presented 17 Buck commemorative sheath knives to these honored veterans.

GRAHAM CRUTCHFIELD

Hayden