Letters from the Winter, 2002-2003 IssueNov 2, 2002 Dear Andy, I just received my dad’s 390th BG Veterans Association dues notice. Regrettably, I must inform you that he, Haven P. Damar, passed away unexpectedly on 2 Feb 2002. He piloted a B-17 from Framlingham during 1944 & 1945 and his crew was #100. My brother and I were his guest at one of your reunions in Tucson several years ago and got to meet his co-pilot and radioman. What a great association you have. And, about 10 yrs ago I rode in a B-17 from Columbia, SC to Atlanta, GA with the Collings folks. These have been very enjoyable learning experiences for me, even if I am an ex-Navy LT. I enjoy and appreciate all those WWII guys and gals very much. They paid a great price to sustain our freedom. We can’t afford to let that fade from our history. I should have joined the Foundation long ago, but better now than later. My application is enclosed. Also, please send any further correspondence for Dad to my address. Thank you. Yours truly, Gene Radtke, Docent November 7, 2002 Dear Mr. Radtke, Thank you so much for all the information concerning my father, (Lawrence E. Lee, Ball Turret Gunner). As is probably true with many war veterans, my father did not volunteer much information about his experiences in WWII. By the time I was old enough to be interested, he had passed away. My mother had my father’s separation papers and she also had the same photo of Crew #81 standing in front of Aircraft B-17G 6049. That is how I got the information that I had to be able to find your website. As for the picture of Crew #81, I can tell you which one is my father. He is naturally the smallest one. He is second from the left in the back row. My mother is not sure, but she thinks that the man standing on my fathers right is Spencer White. I hope this is helpful. My husband and I hope that we have the opportunity to visit the 390 BG Museum. Please accept our donation to help to continue to educate the public regarding the history of the 390th Bomb Group and its attached units. Again thank you very much. Sincerely, Dear Andy, Recently I made a trip to Phoenix to visit relatives, and while there I made a side trip to Tucson to visit the Museum and bring my A-2 Jacket to donate to the Museum. I was very glad to meet you while there, and the docents who were there that day were very nice. I was treated like royalty, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it. My lady friend, who will soon be my wife, was just bubbling over in her appreciation of the cordial treatment we received. Thanks again, and I hope to see you again in Covington. Sincerely, P.S. Please thank the fellows who were on duty for me. November 24, 2002 Dear Friends at the 390th Memorial Museum, Please find enclosed a check for $250 for the Endowment Fund. I think it is exciting that Dorothy Moller is matching the funds donated to this Fund! Although I have not been able to visit the Museum, I heard from my parents, Mary Jane and Jim Kenny, that it is a wonderful testimony to the men who were part of the 390th Bomb Group. I know my father who passed away two years ago, was so very proud of his time in the Air Force. When we moved to England in 1983, Dad encouraged us to visit the Air Force base in Framlingham, England.
We thought Mother and Dad would like a picture of our children there. I am sending you a copy of our first four children, saluting. (I was expecting the fifth, Mary Jane.) Left to right in the picture are: Meganne, Richie, Kerstin and Jim. Now Kerstin is married with two children, Richie died of leukemia, Jim is an architect, and Meganne and Mary Jane are in college. Thank you for all of the hard work you are doing. It is important for all of us. Warmly, Editor’s Note: We are most grateful that the descendants are also carrying on as exhibited by Christine’s letter. Andy Anzanos |
