Today's a big day for both Loraine and
for the co-writer of her first book, “Elwood's War”.
Unfortunately, it's not quite “big” in the same exact way.
First of all, the co-author. Elwood
Norr, the subject of “Elwood's War”, died 75 years ago today when
the B-17 in which he was a ball turret gunner was shot down over
Weissenfels, Germany, while on a mission to bomb a chemical factory
in nearby Merseberg. He left behind a grieving family, a bunch of
friends, and a treasure trove of letters, which became the basis of a
big chunk of the book (and is the reason he's credited with
“co-author” status). So while it's not the kind of
big day that one would usually celebrate, it does need to be noted.
Every wonder how Loraine discovered
Elwood and, by extension, the book that came out of it? Well, a
couple of decades after Elwood died on a November 21st, a
young lady was introduced to the world on that same date in a Saginaw
hospital. That's right; it's Loraine's birthday today, and one of
the (many) reasons she gravitated toward Elwood, among all the men &
women she's researching, is because November 21st is a
big day for both of them.
Not, as I said, a big day in the same
way, but a big day for both of them nonetheless.
I often wonder what Elwood Norr would
make of the impact he had on the life of someone who would have been the same age as a granddaughter. I'm guessing he would be just as amazed as
we are about the book that came out of his letters, and how that book
led to us visiting the city over which he was shot down, where we
were greeted with open arms, several press conferences (in German and
English), and how it's all led to Loraine being perhaps the most
famous American ever to visit the city.
In fact, there have been several times
during our several trips over there that Loraine has said, only
slightly under her breath, “Elwood, what have you gotten me into
now”?
So even though they never met and even
though they were born decades apart, today's a big day for two people
of whom I myself have grown quite fond, this dude--
And the amazing woman who's made sure
that people know who that dude was--
So thanks for your service and your
sacrifice on this day, Elwood. And happy birthday to his co-author,
the most amazing woman in the world and, as we've discovered,
apparently the most famous American ever to visit Weissenfels,
Germany. Hope you enjoy your brownies!!
Love,
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