BILL

BILL
Wishing you a “Spooky’’ Halloween. This morning, at breakfast, I saw a couple salute each other with raised glasses of prune juice. This must have been an omen for an interesting day.
Just after lunch, I received a phone call. I debated whether to answer, figuring that it was another recorded political spiel - before Tuesday’s election. I did answer, and was pleasantly surprised. Calling, was Bill Foley. He said that he was approaching the gate to our Paradise Valley Estates complex, and would like to visit with me. I had never met Bill, but I had communicated with him via e-mail. After I recovered from my surprise call, I called Security at the Gate to let him in.
The reason I was surprised is that Bill lives in Cowgill, Missouri - 2000 miles away! We crash -landed our B-17, near Braymer, Missouri, (near Cowgill) on February 25, 1943. During our few days “layover’, I met and dated his Aunt Ruby Foley a few times. Bill said that he was three years old at the time. He also said, that he heard his grandmother mention “Junior L’Amoreaux” many times when he was growing up So many times, that he decided he wanted to meet me during his lifetime. An aside - My fellow officers (pilot Ken, co-pilot Doug and navigator Ray) gave me my nickname because I was the youngest of the four of us.
Bill said that he and his wife were out this way to visit a long-time friend of hers in Turlock - a two hour drive from here. I was surprised how familiar he was with the local area, until he told me that he had been stationed at Travis Air Force Base nearby. Too, the GPS system in his van-motor home was a big help.
During our conversation, he said that he lived about a mile from Bill Pollard in Cowgill, and they are both members of the American Legion in Braymer. I have communicated with the latter Bill through the years - by e-mail and telephone - even though we haven’t met either. Bill P. was on his way to school that morning, passing by our wheels- up B-17 in a local cornfield!
Two screenwriters (John and Bill) are working on writing up our “landing” - and the interaction of our crew with the people of Braymer - during the five days we were their “guests”. John and Bill have interviewed all the people that I have mentioned above, about their recollection of that fateful morning.
So, we all should pay attention. When we plan our days, no telling what surprise we may not have included in those plans. RCL - 10/31/09.