About 20 years ago, when I first arrived in Colorado, I heard of  an upcoming special appearance at Wings Over the Rockies of Colonel Robert Morgan. Being something of a WWII history buff I knew exactly what a special visit this would be. Morgan was a bomber pilot with the 8th Air Force in the European theater and the aircraft commander of the famous B-17 Flying Fortress, Memphis Belle, flying 25 missions. After completing his European tour, Morgan flew another 26 combat missions in the B-29 Superfortress against Japan in the Pacific Theater. He was very gracious to pose for a few photos I wanted to make.

This photo (you can see a portion of the autograph he signed in the upper corner) was taken in WWII, May 17, 1943, after Morgan and his crew became the first B-17 crew to safely return from 25 missions. Most planes and their crews were not so fortunate. The carnage was unreal. Between fighter plane assaults and flak fire from the ground, planes and crew members came back  transfigured for the worst if they came back at all. After completing their 25 missions they could go home. After meeting the king and queen of England (just before this photo was taken) Colonel Morgan and his crew bid farewell to generals Devers and Eakers before a state-side publicity tour to boost morale as well as train other crews back home.

Like most veterans of that era, Colonel Morgan was hesitant to be fussed over. I had to give him an almost pleading nudge you might say, when I asked him to hold this replica of a B-17 bomber in his hands for this photo idea I had. I believe a pilot truly does hold the plane and the souls in it, in his hands. When I mentioned that to him he was so humble, saying he did no more than anyone else in the crew. What a man! He passed away in 2004. Like all our veterans of all services, living still or now passed on, performing all duties necessary for the freedoms we enjoy in America, I give tremendous thanks this Memorial Day.