USAAF in Britain Christmas Tradition Upheld

[JDK]

This press release in from the publicity department at IWM Duxford:

VIP children enjoy a sparkling seasonal treat at Imperial War Museum Duxford

Imperial War Museum Duxford is delighted to once again be hosting a very special children’s Christmas party, organised by the 48th Fighter Wing of the United States Air Force in Europe in association with the Starlight Children’s Foundation, a national charity that brightens the lives of sick children through once-in-a-lifetime wishes and hospital entertainment.

The Christmas extravaganza, to be held on Saturday 11 December in AirSpace, will provide an unforgettable experience for seriously and terminally ill children from Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.

Children can enjoy a range of hands-on seasonal activities, includes face painting, Snowman Toss and Christmas Tree Ornament Toss games, a fishing game, making Christmas tree decorations and creating Candy Cane reindeers.

No Christmas party would be complete without scrumptious things to eat and drink. The grand finale will be a visit from Santa, who will arrive in style on the IWM Duxford fire truck to give presents to all the girls and boys.

It goes on to say:

This very special party continues the tradition of Anglo-American relations at IWM Duxford that dates back to the Second World War.

On Christmas Day 1943, the 78th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Force (USAAF), based at RAF Duxford, hosted a party for local children, a tradition that they continued the following year and which has remained the inspiration for Christmas parties held by the United States Air Force in Europe in recent years.

The men of the 78th Fighter Wing continued their wartime philanthropy by ‘adopting’ seven children who had been orphaned during the Second World War. The Duxford Diary from the time states, “Seven children who had lost one or both parents during the war were ‘adopted’ by Duxford units. The $400 for each child paid for school and two meals a day for four years.”

Imperial War Museum Duxford is delighted to be the host venue for this very special event and looks forward to providing a spell-binding day for its very special guests.

Big thumbs up to the 48th and IWM.

[Zachary]

Thanks for sharing that JDK!

Zack

[Randy Haskin]

Volunteering at that event a couple years ago was one of my favorite memories of being in the UK.

[Zachary]

We didn't cover that in your interview Randy - we'll have to do a part III during AirVenture 2011 (you're coming back, right???)

[JDK]

It's nice to be able to pass on a positive story.

Volunteering at that event a couple years ago was one of my favorite memories of being in the UK.

Well done Randy. I'd add that good works like this are one of the best 'friends-across-the-water' things American service personnel (and civilians) can do for their country.

My first experience of full-on Americana and American hospitality was the much missed Mildenhall Air Fetes in the 1980s and 1990s, some of the best PR the US could do. Some of the antics of the airmen directing traffic and helping to open the then-exotic pop-top cans of Bud and Coke still bring a smile. We all need more of these and those kind of events.

Regards,

[JDK]

*Update*

From Duxford publicity:

On Saturday 11 December, Imperial War Museum Duxford hosted a very
special children's Christmas party, organised by the 48th Fighter Wing
of the United States Air Force in Europe in association with the
Starlight Children's Foundation, a national charity that brightens the
lives of sick children through once-in-a-lifetime wishes and hospital
entertainment.

Over 50 children enjoyed fun seasonal activities, including face
painting, Snowman Toss and Christmas Tree Ornament Toss games, a fishing
game, making Christmas tree decorations and creating Candy Cane
reindeers.

There was a fabulous spread of things to eat and drink, and Santa
arrived in grand style on the IWM Duxford fire truck, to give all the
boys and girls their Christmas presents.

Imperial War Museum Duxford was delighted to be the host venue for this
very special event.