Doolittle Raiders Memorial Toast

83 years ago today.

On 18 April 1942, the Doolittle Raiders embarked on a mission that required courage, skill, and teamwork. The result of the Doolittle Raid shaped the rest of World War II — boosting US morale after the events at Pearl Harbor and forcing the Japanese forces to reallocate resources to defend their homeland. As it often does, operational success came at a cost. Yesterday, the Air & Space Forces Association met to remember, to commemorate, and to toast those who gave their all in success of this mission and those who have since joined them.

The AFA – Seattle Chapter was fortunate enough to gather at The Museum of Flight and was joined by the sons of two of the Doolittle Raiders, Col Charles Ross Greening and Lt Col Edward Joseph Saylor; our favorite, local WWII B-17 pilot, Dick Nelms; two Vietnam former Prisoners of War, Maj Joe Crecca and Capt Bill Wilson; and over 120 other guests — ages ranging from 3 to 102 years old.

A true demonstration of the unity of our long blue line across decades of service.

To those who have gone!

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United States Air Force
United States Space Force

Thank you for joining us to preserve this tradition, Rod Saylor, Matt Hayes, Cale Wilcox, Gordon Broadbent, Rick Sine, Sarah “FIGHT” Broadbent, E. KENT WONG, Mary Grace Crissey, Bill Striegel, Joe K., Sarah Babbitt, Kristi Breckinridge, Gibril Dyfan, Robby Breckinridge, Takara Putt, Jerrod Deboma, Charlotte Kelbaugh, JC Hall, and many others!

👏 University of Washington AF ROTC “Blue Dragon” Honor Guard