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The Berlin Candy Bomber, Gail Halverson has passed away.
February 17, 2022, 11:21 AM
BB61The Berlin Candy Bomber, Gail Halverson has passed away.
He died Wednesday in Utah at the age of 101. During the Berlin airlift, he would drop candy to the children. I never met him but he was fairly well known in Utah. My best to his family.
https://www.ksl.com/article/50...y-bomber-dies-at-101
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February 17, 2022, 11:41 AM
1KPerDayAmazing guy. My mom was in the same (very nice) assisted living facility. He ws a very nice guy to everyone he met. RIP sir!
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My hovercraft is full of eels.
February 17, 2022, 12:27 PM
PASigThere are many 80-somehings in Germany today that are grateful for this man and his kindness he showed.
February 17, 2022, 01:30 PM
sidss1RIP, Brother Halvorsen. You were a hero and a good man. RIP.
If you think you can, YOU WILL!!!!!
February 17, 2022, 02:03 PM
GraniteguyWow - cool story and special person. I had never heard of him before - thanks for the post.
February 17, 2022, 02:26 PM
HerkdriverI met him (briefly) 15-20 years ago? He was a kind and gracious men. May he rest in peace.
"I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared." Thomas Jefferson February 17, 2022, 02:43 PM
PASigHe dropped
21 TONS of candy on the children of West Berlin from 1948-1949
RIP Colonel "Uncle Wiggly Wings" Halvorsen:
(yes I know it's the "wrong" salute but I loved this one)
Good writeup here:
The Candy Bomber
February 17, 2022, 03:40 PM
BrowndrakeNow that sounds like a life well lived. To be able to go to your rest knowing you have brought joy to so many - wonderful.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
February 17, 2022, 04:25 PM
4x5About 4 years ago, on July 4th, he re-enacted his candy drops by flying in an old WWII plane and dropping candy to kids gathered in a local park. We were there and it was kind of cool to see.
RIP Colonel Halvorsen
Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ February 17, 2022, 04:27 PM
jhe888I salute him.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything. February 17, 2022, 04:34 PM
357fuzzRIP Col. A job well done.
February 17, 2022, 08:53 PM
armoredRIP SIR!
February 18, 2022, 01:30 AM
92fstechRIP, sir, and thank you for your service!
I had the opportunity to visit Berlin in the early 90s, and got to tour some of the cold war museums and visit Tempelhof airport. Being into aviation, the airlift fascinated me. A few years ago we had a small airshow at our local airport and they had a C-54 painted up in airlift colors do a fly-in. It was pretty cool to think of what those big rumbling radials must have meant to the citizens of West Berlin, to know that they weren't going to be abandoned and we weren't giving up on them.
February 18, 2022, 09:00 AM
sns3guppyI met him years ago. Very much the real deal, there was nothing disingenuous about the man. He lived and embodied the golden rule. The man truly saw value in everything, and everyone.
February 18, 2022, 10:11 AM
HK AgGolly what a great man!
February 19, 2022, 07:42 AM
whododatA real life Santa Claus. RIP, good person.
Because son, it is what you are supposed to do.
February 19, 2022, 08:26 AM
Elk HunterI remember a lot of stories I heard while spending my 9+ years stationed in Germany. The "candy drops" were part of those stories. No question, he will rest in peace!!!
Elk
There has never been an occasion where a people gave up their weapons in the interest of peace that didn't end in their massacre. (Louis L'Amour)
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical. "
-Thomas Jefferson
"America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." Alexis de Tocqueville
FBHO!!!
The Idaho Elk Hunter