Descendants Corner
Marcia Balmut Ward

Spring is beginning to “spring out of this good earth” here in Ohio. Daffodils, crocus, and forsythia are beginning to bloom and the robins have finally determined that this is indeed Ohio…and winter is leaving the state.

It is customary to include words written by descendants of 390th veterans in this space. What a pleasure to share comments and photos from Frank Drain, former 390th Memorial Museum Foundation President, current Memorial Foundation director, and a member of the Liberty Foundation Board of Directors. When the B-17 “Liberty Belle,” owned by the Liberty Foundation, landed at Grimes Airfield last July it is no exaggeration to say it caused “quite a commotion.” Folks were driving from all over the state and beyond to stand and soak in the majesty of this amazing aircraft.

My first of my many visits to the plane found Mr. Drain, his father, Richard, and his two sons, Kevin and Adam, sharing in the glorious moment. Richard Drain flew as a Radio Operator in the 570th Squadron. He retired as a Major in the USAF. When the Drain family was stationed in England in 1959, Frank was six years of age. He recalls they visited the base at Framlingham and drove onto the old runway. That experience coupled with the Blue Book and his father’s World War II photo album began Frank’s interest in the B-17 and the 390th. As Frank shared, “My Dad never talked much about it directly until he began his 390th database project in the 1990’s.” And what a valuable project that has been for the 390th Memorial Museum! The Drain family has devoted many hours to ensure that memories of the 390th will be available for all of us for years to come. It is this very example of family involvement and experiential moments that create a love, respect, and longing to “cherish and remember forever” the 390th and the men who made her great!

Three Generations of Drains Veteran Richard Drain with cap Son, Frank, on left Grandsons Kevin and Adam

It was a thrill for this descendant to sit in the cockpit and actually start Engine four under the tutelage of Tom Reilly, the most interesting and knowledgeable warbird restoration expert on this blue planet. Just meeting Mr. Reilly was an honor…but to actually sit in that seat and engage the engine…no words can readily describe that moment. Tours and flights were available on the “Liberty Belle” while she was in residence here in Champaign County. Area citizens and World War II veterans steadily streamed onto the flight line to gaze at this amazing airplane, touch it reverently. Many veterans walked through the plane, signing the door as pens were made available.

Mr. Reilly said it feels good to share what he has learned over the past thirty-plus years to anyone who is anxious to listen. His philosophy, teach from experience because that is how we learned it in the first place, is an active one. He said he learned what he knows from persons who were more than willing to take time to share. Now he shares that expertise and skill with others who wish to learn. A local Urbana family has purchased a post-war B-17 that is currently being restored right here at the Urbana Airport. Volunteers and veterans have been working on this restoration under the direction of Mr. Reilly who estimates it will take about ten years to complete.

Kevin & Adam Drain

Reilly said he first became interested in vintage aircraft three decades ago when a friend gave him a ride in a P-51. Since that time he and others in his employ have restored nine B-25 Mitchell Bombers, three B-17’s, a B-24 Liberator, 10 AT-6’s and Yale’s, and many others. More and more persons continue to invest heavily in bringing these historical aircraft back to life and Mr. Reilly and others intend to continue teaching so this skill will be taught for years to come. As I viewed the long list of volunteers and the hours they were logging in, day after day, it came as no surprise to see the family Drain listed time and again. Sincere gratitude and appreciation to Richard and Frank Drain for their continued dedication to the mission.