Keeping History Alive With World War II Aircraft

Written by Debby A Milatz and Thomas Fauquher

If you go online or watch a newscast on cable TV, one could conclude that our society is rapidly spiraling downward to its inevitable destruction. Now more than ever we need to make drastic changes and support our youth in a way that is unprecedented. Teachers go to their own classes in fear of violence, and bullying has gone to the extreme of causing our children to commit suicide on a regular basis. We need to get back to instilling core values into our youth who are struggling through the environment that we created. I know there is hope. There is always hope. We need to step up and take control of our world. Recently I discovered a group of individuals that is doing just that, reminding us of a history we need to cherish.

I witnessed the roar of four thundering engines coming from a mammoth B-29, known as “Fifi”, vibrating the ground as it came to a stop on the tarmac at Joplin Airport in Missouri. It was greeted by veterans from WWII to our present day Operation Inherent Resolve. It arrived as part of the Commemorative Air Force Airpower History Tour along with several other planes that flew during World War II. The CAF travels across the country five months of the year visiting over 20 cities showcasing the B-29 Superfortress, the B-24 Liberator, as well as other vintage WWII aircraft. The squadron has over 300 members and 160 airplanes. Squadron Commander Curtis Wester, one of the many talented members of the organization stated, “The CAF is dedicated to preserving, and teaching people about our WWII aviation history through flight, exhibition, and education to keep this history alive.”

The CAF Squadron members come from all walks of life with the mission to protect these rare flying monuments to freedom for future generations. Each share the same passion to never let our history die.

Roger Arnold was one of the many individuals who came to visit the Commemorative Air Force Airpower History Tour to see WWII aircraft and speak with the veterans who have honorably served our country. Roger is the son of PFC Carroll Arnold, who received a commendation for Meritorious Achievement for his participation in the Nagasaki mission of 1945. Roger’s father was assigned as the Left Blister Gunner on the B-29 that delivered the first atomic bomb to Tinian Island in the Marianas, which a short time later would be dropped on Nagasaki, Japan on Aug. 6, 1945. Roger swelled with pride as he boarded “Fifi” to see first-hand where his father had served on the first pressurized cabin on a military aircraft. This was a huge technological advancement for the time as the B-29 was the first to have remote firing capabilities as well. He was sharing this day and experience with his wife Kathy, son Chad, and his sister Virginia Arnold-Lovell.

Roger came to the event in Joplin, traveling many miles with his family to pay homage and show respect to his father including the men he fought with, admiring his sacrifice and dedication in serving our country.

Fortunately, there are exceptional individuals who are still honoring those memories to ensure that our history does not get lost in the past, such as thirteen year old Ella Denno. She is a focused and passionate teenager who embraces not only her family’s story of military service, but our countries history as well.

To spend time with her is enlightening as she explains her passion for history which originates from her dad Jason who has been an inspiration to her and has guided her to delve into the Women Army Service Pilots from WWII.

Jason served as an MP following in the footsteps of his family’s military service which includes his father who served in the 96^th infantry during WW II and his uncle Art Denno who served at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941.

Tragically in our society today many parents do not encourage their children to study their American or World History or at best put very little emphasis on the subject. Our schools have watered down or slanted the truth of what really transpired to push their own agenda of our countries past. Jason and his wife Angie have chosen to raise Ella with the family values they hold dear which include service to the community, respect for their fellow man, and integrity in all that you do.

Jason’s interest has even driven him to set out on a “Battle Buddies” Quest to locate all of the men his father served with. This is just one way in which Jason is committed to maintaining the memory of his father and the men and women he served with. “We need to make a better country instead of tearing it apart. We must reinforce the importance of family, integrity, respect and take pride in the history this great country was built on.”

Jason and his wife Angie have supported and encouraged their daughter Ella’s bright, talented & thirsty mind to learn this countries exciting history. Ella's interests are currently focused on preserving the memory of the Women’s Army Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II. She also volunteers with the Batfish Living History Association (BLHA) who oversee the USS Batfish Submarine in Muskogee, Oklahoma helping as a docent.

Ella is also involved in the Oklahoma Historical Society and the CAF Women’s Army Service Pilots Squadron whose mission is to share the story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots in order to inspire others, especially girls and young women, to rise above expectations and find a greater appreciation for their potential.

Ella is anxious for each opportunity she has to answer questions from visitors about the history that so excites her at the USS Batfish as she helps with the reenactments and tours.

The BLHA or Batfish has a museum and host many events and conduct war reenactments. This was where her father Jason’s inspiration grew from.

Many individuals participate in these historical reenactments wearing authentic period clothing to remind us of important events that shaped our country.

I wholeheartedly agree with the philosophy and thought that our children need to learn from history so we do not repeat the negative parts of it. To learn from the mistakes made by our country, we need to avoid going down the destructive paths the world has traversed for centuries. To honor the valor and bravery our ancestors have exemplified.

The obvious distraction of technology, drugs, and gangs has caused our current generation to stray from learning the rich history we have, while distancing the quality time they could share with their family. Many of our youth spend a majority of their time playing violent video games, communicating by text or on social media, and are involved with alcohol, drugs, and violence. This has to CHANGE!!! People lying to one another is common place in our society, usually done for self-gain, to avoid responsibility for ones own actions, or perhaps simply out of insecurity. The young men growing up in the '40s lied for a selfless purpose, they lied about their age so they could go to war and fight for our country. They felt the best way to change things in this country was to go fight for it. How generations have changed. This patriotic behavior was repeated once again as young men and women raced to enlist after the attack on America on 9/11.

I know in our world today we need to step up to save our future, which includes honoring our past. I can think of no better way to do that than to strengthen the character of our children so that they are smarter, grounded to their core values, and strive to attain their potential. If we do not educate and guide the children of today, then we are doing them an unforgivable disservice and are setting them up for failure. We are obligated to provide our youth with every and all opportunities that we can create to continue our rich American history. If not you, then who, if not now then when. The only limits we have are the ones we put upon ourselves.

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