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In reply to the discussion: Posting without comment [View all]Tommymac
(7,263 posts)98. well, sometimes the Military looks the other way...and We Win The Battle!
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/sweet-story-berlin-candy-bomber-180965156/
The Sweet Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber
Gail Halvorsens efforts made children happy but they also provided the U.S. military with an opportunity
By Kat Eschner
SMITHSONIANMAG.COM
OCTOBER 10, 2017
It all started at Berlins Tempelhof Air Field when the pilot met some children, writes historian Kaete M. OConnell. It was normal for children to ask Any gum, chum? or Any bon-bon? she writes, but these children didnt ask for anything. Taken aback, he offered two sticks of Wrigleys before departing, she writes. Witnessing the excitement this small offering generated as it was passed around and broken into numerous small pieces, the pilot rashly promised to drop candy on his next flight.
When asked how they would know which of the huge airplanes was his, he said he would wiggle his wings as he approached their position, writes the Air Force.
Halvorsen lived up to his promise, getting other pilots to donate their candy rations and having his flight engineer rock the airplane during the drop. Things grew from there, as more and more children showed up to catch his airdrops and letters began to arrive requesting special airdrops at other points in the city, writes the Air Force. The wiggle was also how Halvorsen got his other nickname: 'Uncle Wiggly Wings.'
After newspapers got wind of what was happening, Halvorsens superiors realized what he was doing and the PR opportunity it offered. Chocolate and candy donations began to pour in from the United States. Though Halvorsen himself was recalled by the military for a promotional tour, he had begun an international effort to get candy to the children of West Berlin.
Halvorsen provided a face for the airlift and the U.S.s humanitarian mission at large, while successfully enlisting the American public in an early Cold War contest for hearts and minds, writes OConnell. Americans previously weary of continued food aid for Europe eagerly embraced the opportunity to gift candy and chocolate to German children.
The Sweet Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber
Gail Halvorsens efforts made children happy but they also provided the U.S. military with an opportunity
By Kat Eschner
SMITHSONIANMAG.COM
OCTOBER 10, 2017
It all started at Berlins Tempelhof Air Field when the pilot met some children, writes historian Kaete M. OConnell. It was normal for children to ask Any gum, chum? or Any bon-bon? she writes, but these children didnt ask for anything. Taken aback, he offered two sticks of Wrigleys before departing, she writes. Witnessing the excitement this small offering generated as it was passed around and broken into numerous small pieces, the pilot rashly promised to drop candy on his next flight.
When asked how they would know which of the huge airplanes was his, he said he would wiggle his wings as he approached their position, writes the Air Force.
Halvorsen lived up to his promise, getting other pilots to donate their candy rations and having his flight engineer rock the airplane during the drop. Things grew from there, as more and more children showed up to catch his airdrops and letters began to arrive requesting special airdrops at other points in the city, writes the Air Force. The wiggle was also how Halvorsen got his other nickname: 'Uncle Wiggly Wings.'
After newspapers got wind of what was happening, Halvorsens superiors realized what he was doing and the PR opportunity it offered. Chocolate and candy donations began to pour in from the United States. Though Halvorsen himself was recalled by the military for a promotional tour, he had begun an international effort to get candy to the children of West Berlin.
Halvorsen provided a face for the airlift and the U.S.s humanitarian mission at large, while successfully enlisting the American public in an early Cold War contest for hearts and minds, writes OConnell. Americans previously weary of continued food aid for Europe eagerly embraced the opportunity to gift candy and chocolate to German children.
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The cup of water had better have some ice in it or there will be hell to pay, right?
George II
Apr 2021
#56
Yup. With Ilitch at the helm for so long, it is not surprising Little Caesars
cyndensco
Apr 2021
#18
A friend of mine struck up a conversation with one of the catering crew after a conference in SF.
BobTheSubgenius
Apr 2021
#17
Thanks for a great story. One that I had never heard before. Hand salute to "Uncle Wiggly Wings"!
usaf-vet
Apr 2021
#100
Health codes here forbid unsold food from going out to shelters, schools,
yellowdogintexas
Apr 2021
#70
This is fantastic. Here is my experience with corporate restaurants and throwing out food ...
aggiesal
Apr 2021
#16
A woman here in Victoria is the franchisee for 5 Tim Hortons locations locally.
BobTheSubgenius
Apr 2021
#20
So kind of you! I never thought of it that way, more like "just another day" in an unjust world.
catrose
Apr 2021
#105
I hate Tim Hortons...all of ours have closed. True story, we went to one in Erie PA or NY...I forget
Demsrule86
Apr 2021
#65
I know a little about Little Caesars because we go there sometimes and my son is a Red Wings fan
amuse bouche
Apr 2021
#63