Saturday, January 03, 2009

Col. Gail Halversen "The Candy Bomber" of Berlin Airlift on KNX 1070 in LA on Friday

Col. Gail Halversen Day declared in LA

Listen here




Business Hour 1-02-09
Stocks kick off 2009 with a New Year rally. A look at 2008's "techtonic" events that forever changed Wall Street. Guests include retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Gale Halverson, and John Challenger, of Challenger, Gray and Christmas.


Councilmember Tom LaBonge and Consul General of Germany Christian Stocks honored WWII Berlin Airlift flier Col. Gail Halvorsen in Los Angeles City Council Chambers on Friday, November 21st. Col. Halvorsen was in Los Angeles to participate in a roundtable discussion on the 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift that was sponsored by the German Consulate General and the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles.

Halvorsen was recognized for his heroic efforts during the Berlin Airlift of 1948/1949 when he flew in food and much needed supplies after the Soivets blocked the western portion of Berlin controlled by America and its allies.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Col. Gail S. Halvorsen (C) Consulate General Los Angeles
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Col. Gail S. Halvorsen
(© Consulate General Los Angeles)

Among the most eagerly anticipated provisions brought in were the bundles of candy for the city’s children. "Operation Little Vittles" started after Halvorsen encountered a group of children near the Berlin airport. Touched by their gratitude for his gift of a couple of sticks of gum, he promised more candy on his next trip, telling them to watch for the plane that would "wiggle" its wings once. He kept his promise by dropping candy wrapped in handkerchiefs and scraps of cloth as miniature parachutes the next day. His kindness earned him the nickname "Uncle Wiggly Wings2, the “Chocolate Flyer” and the “Berlin Candy Bomber”.

On his tour of City Hall, Halvorsen was congratulated by Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge and Col. Gail S. Halvorsen in LaBonge's memorabilia-filled office (C) Consulate General Los Angeles
Councilmember Tom LaBonge and Col. Gail S. Halvorsen in LaBonge's memorabilia-filled office
(© Consulate General Los Angeles)

Before taking off to visit the Berlin Forest in Griffith Park, Halvorsen stopped in at Councilmember LaBonge's memorabilia-filled office.





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