MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIES

 Each year on Memorial day I repost this post that is special to my heart.

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my dad as a young businessman

 Today is Memorial Day and as on all Memorial Days, I think of my late father. George Reece Holloway was a lieutenant and later promoted to a captain in the United States Air Force in WWII. He served his country valiantly. The P-38 plane he was piloting was shot down on June 20, 1944. He was sent to a German POW camp at Stalag Luft I where he was kept until liberated by the American forces. He was called up again during the Korean War and with his young family (I was a baby) went to Texas to train other pilots.

From P-38 Lightning losses June, 1944

"P-38 J 42-67963. 370th Fighter Group. (Plane shot down at 17H30 -German time- near La Puthenaye, N.W. of Conches. Pilot, Lt George R. HOLLOWAY, is captured a few moments later at Grosley and sent to Chartres interrogation center)." 

My dad as a young officer.

Eighteen years ago, my father passed away after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He died with the same bravery and dignity that he had when serving his country.

Landing of the first P-38 on the mainland near Ste Mère l'Eglise (US National Archives).

photo via Lightning losses

So today. a special thanks to all the men and women who have protected our country.