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Log in3 Mainers honored for Berlin Airlift roles
3 Mainers honored for Berlin Airlift roles
by Outspoken on Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:45 am
3 Mainers honored for Berlin Airlift roles
German-American Friendship Awards go to 16 New England veterans of World War II
By DENNIS HOEY
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Three Maine men were recognized Wednesday night for their roles in a post-World War II event that's been recognized as one of the greatest humanitarian efforts in history.
Sixty years after the Berlin Airlift, Harry Winger of Portland, Linwood Wright of New Sharon and John Zazzera of Kittery received the German-American Friendship Award for their part in the operation, which supplied food and fuel to Berliners who were trapped in a Soviet blockade.
American and British planes were able to airlift goods into the city, forcing Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin to lift the blockade after 322 days.
Officials said the veterans deserve the recognition, especially since they were being asked to aid a country that they had been at war with just three years earlier.
World War II ended in 1945, and the airlift began in June of 1948.
"It didn't bother me to return" to help Germany, said Winger, who spent one year in a German prisoner of war camp after the plane he was piloting was shot down. "What could I say? I was ordered to go and I went."
Dr. Bernd Rinnert, the German Consul General based in Boston, presented the Friendship Award to 16 New England veterans during a ceremony at the Portland International Jetport.
The event also kicked off a new exhibit at the jetport that celebrates the Berlin Airlift's 60th anniversary.
The "Friends Always" exhibit, which features facts and photographs from the event, will remain on display through Aug. 29. The exhibit then will begin a two-year tour of the United States.
Portland Mayor Edward J. Suslovic said the veterans who were assigned to transport food and fuel to Berlin helped save Western Europe from decades of Communist rule.
Though Germany was divided into occupation zones after World War II, the Soviets wanted to force the Western Allies out of Berlin.
"America was done with being an international savior (in World War II). We owe you all a great debt of gratitude," Suslovic said. "Not only did you save Western Europe, but you helped transform our relationship with Germany from adversary to ally ... you are heroes, every single one of you."
There were 31 Americans and 39 British killed in plane accidents during the airlift.
Winger, 83, flew his C-54 transport plane on more than 300 missions.
"He is for me a symbol of the attitude of forgiveness. He fought the Germans and he came back to help us," Rinnert said of Winger.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=201166&ac=PHnws
Staff photo by Gordon Chibroski
German-American Friendship Awards go to 16 New England veterans of World War II
By DENNIS HOEY
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Three Maine men were recognized Wednesday night for their roles in a post-World War II event that's been recognized as one of the greatest humanitarian efforts in history.
Sixty years after the Berlin Airlift, Harry Winger of Portland, Linwood Wright of New Sharon and John Zazzera of Kittery received the German-American Friendship Award for their part in the operation, which supplied food and fuel to Berliners who were trapped in a Soviet blockade.
American and British planes were able to airlift goods into the city, forcing Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin to lift the blockade after 322 days.
Officials said the veterans deserve the recognition, especially since they were being asked to aid a country that they had been at war with just three years earlier.
World War II ended in 1945, and the airlift began in June of 1948.
"It didn't bother me to return" to help Germany, said Winger, who spent one year in a German prisoner of war camp after the plane he was piloting was shot down. "What could I say? I was ordered to go and I went."
Dr. Bernd Rinnert, the German Consul General based in Boston, presented the Friendship Award to 16 New England veterans during a ceremony at the Portland International Jetport.
The event also kicked off a new exhibit at the jetport that celebrates the Berlin Airlift's 60th anniversary.
The "Friends Always" exhibit, which features facts and photographs from the event, will remain on display through Aug. 29. The exhibit then will begin a two-year tour of the United States.
Portland Mayor Edward J. Suslovic said the veterans who were assigned to transport food and fuel to Berlin helped save Western Europe from decades of Communist rule.
Though Germany was divided into occupation zones after World War II, the Soviets wanted to force the Western Allies out of Berlin.
"America was done with being an international savior (in World War II). We owe you all a great debt of gratitude," Suslovic said. "Not only did you save Western Europe, but you helped transform our relationship with Germany from adversary to ally ... you are heroes, every single one of you."
There were 31 Americans and 39 British killed in plane accidents during the airlift.
Winger, 83, flew his C-54 transport plane on more than 300 missions.
"He is for me a symbol of the attitude of forgiveness. He fought the Germans and he came back to help us," Rinnert said of Winger.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=201166&ac=PHnws
Staff photo by Gordon Chibroski
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
