This time of year is so full of fun . . . and candy. Candy abounds! The shelves at the store are lined with brightly colored packages. Children are dreaming of how much they will get after they go trick-or-treating. In our neck of the woods everyone from doctor’s offices to banks are passing candy out to any child that comes in. There is so much candy it seems to be falling from the sky.
Did you know that 65 years ago candy did fall from the sky? It wasn’t banks or doctor’s offices passing out the candy but pilots following the lead of then Lieutenant Gail Halvorsen, affectionately known by the children of Berlin, Germany as “Uncle Wiggly Wings” and the “Chocolate Pilot.” He earned those names because of the candy he dropped from his cargo plane as it approached Tempelhof grounds in Berlin. He was part of the Berlin Airlift, or Operation Vittles as it was known in the USA, that occurred from 1948-1949.
Read more of my article at Heart of the Matter today!
How fun you would post this today! We are focusing on hope this month and just this morning I read my kids the book “Mercedes and the chocolate pilot” which is a true story about one of the little girls who received candy from him. It made me and rose cry! Such a beautiful testament to the power if hope and that God doesn’t forget anyone! He sends blessings from above, even in the form of candy bombs 🙂
Also, I noticed in the book that they said the candy bomber was from Utah, so I looked it up and found he was LDS!
Oh yes! Earlier this year there was a special exhibit in Berlin put on by the church commemorating the 65 years since the airlift. You can read about it and see pictures here: http://www.mormonnewsroom.ie/article/the-candy-bomber-opens-friends-always-exhibit-berlin
I also have an FHE lesson about The Candy Bomber here: http://chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com/2008/11/service-candy-bomber-fhe.html
I will have to find a copy of that book you mentioned!
I interviewed Halverson at his home back when I ran the little newspaper from his home town. He was such a nice guy. It makes his story all the more special to me having heard it from his own mouth. I need to pull out the book and do a unit study with my kids! What a good idea.
What a great experience you were able to have! I have found kids really identify with his story and that of the children of Berlin. I hear the Christmas concert last year was a treat, particularly his story.
Our school had him come speak last winter, and our family got to meet him. It was a really great experience. He is an amazing man, with so much good to teach.
How wonderful to be able to hear him speak! I cannot wait to get my hands on the MoTab Christmas Concert dvd. I hear his portion was spectacular!
He is actually in my ward here in southern AZ! He is so sweet and wonderful to talk to.
Lucky!!