As EAA’s B-17 flies from stop to stop, visiting EAA chapters at airports across the country, it serves several purposes. One of the most important roles this aircraft performs is education — placing young people in the footsteps of those older generations who fought for so much of what we enjoy today. Each year in Romeoville, Illinois, a very special “crew” of passengers is put together to experience just that.
For the last three years Don Shee, EAA 613783, has sponsored a whole flight of 10 people to make up a full crew.
“You don’t just get the seats,” Don said. “You have to pass a test as well as attend a lunch and lecture about life on the B-17. It is very special to me, as the B-17 was very significant in my life.”
The B-17 is special for Don because he served on one as a right waist gunner in the 34th Bomb Group during World War II. Don said his B-17 was nicknamed The Ghost, and he flew combat missions as well as Operation Chowhound missions, dropping food for civilians.
Recently, in Don’s community, a local schoolteacher started a program for young students to exchange letters with WWII veterans. Allie Giancarlo is one of the teachers who had her students write to Don. Don has been friends with Allie’s family for many years. Her father is a police officer and once stopped Don near his home to ask him about his license plate — not to stop him for expired tabs, but to inquire about the meaning of Don’s personalized plate, GUNRB17. Don confirmed that he was indeed a B-17 gunner, and the two became friends.
Soon Don started getting letters from Allie’s class.
“I was really touched by these young people,” Don said.
Don sent flags back to every student who wrote him.
This year when the Romeoville stop came around for EAA’s B-17, Don sponsored Allie to fly as part of his crew.
“I couldn’t believe it when I received my invitation to fly on the B-17 from Don,” Allie said. ” I was so excited and the first thing I had to do was call my dad to tell him. My father has been a lifelong airplane fan. I have pictures of myself when I was 2 inside of one of these planes.”
Allie said her favorite part of the flight was the takeoff roll.
“It was incredible,” she said. “Just the sound of these powerful engines brought a giant smile to my face. I must have been grinning ear to ear. Once in the air, having the chance to climb into the different spots made you really think about the people who took these into combat. I couldn’t imagine going off to war in one of these.”
Don and Allie’s story is a perfect example of EAA’s mission behind flying our B-17. We strive to honor our heroes while educating the next generation — something both Don and Allie do exceptionally well.
Allie continues to have her students write to WWII veterans, and Don is working on a personal project to get American flags into as many hotel rooms as possible to display to those visiting us from all around the world. Thank you to Don for your service and support of EAA’s program, and thank you to Allie for supporting EAA’s mission.