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| (From L to R) Kathy Fuller - Layout Design Artist Eddie Sutton - Illustrator Rebecca Pepin - Author |
This book is a collection of short
stories about real WWII heroes
who are living in South Carolina.
Aviation was the chosen topic in
honor of the 100th anniversary of
flight.
stories about real WWII heroes
who are living in South Carolina.
Aviation was the chosen topic in
honor of the 100th anniversary of
flight.
| To order this book please call the Celebrate Freedom Foundation. 455 St Andrews Road, Suite C-1 Columbia, South Carolina 29210 USA Telephone: 803-772-2945 Fax: 803-731-0341 Cost: $15 (All proceeds go to CFF) If you would like to learn more about the Celebrate Freedom Foundation you can visit their website. www.celebratefreedomfoundation.org |
Note From Author
November, 2003
If this country has learned one thing the past couple of years, it is the fragility of freedom.
The September 11th attack provided a stark reminder to all of us about the millions of
Americans who have fought to preserve our freedom since the birth of this nation. Writing
Honoring South Carolina’s World War II Heroes of Flight is my way of thanking every military
man and woman – active duty and retired – as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of flight. In
this book, artist Eddie Sutton and I pay tribute to some of the heroes of one generation in
hopes of raising awareness about the past and present sacrifices of all those who serve.
Some of the names will be familiar as you read these pages, others you may be learning
about for the first time. These humble aviators of World War II are our neighbors, community
activists, and fellow parishioners, but they are never quick to flaunt their accomplishments. So
I will do it for them. Regretfully, the list of pilots is not exhaustive – I sincerely wish I could
have included every story out there. In meeting the aviators I was able to interview, I have
learned a great deal and have been touched by their remarkable tales of bravery and
devotion to this country.
I would like to thank all of the airmen for their cooperation and patience in proofreading my
rough drafts. I am also very grateful to Eddie Sutton, a gifted artist, who was able to help
make these stories come to life with his brilliant paintings; Photographer Anne Lewis – her
flare for the craft, along with her respect and love for veterans made the project even more
special; Editor Terri Randall has been wonderful, providing extremely valuable input and
ensuring the grammatical accuracy of the book; Kathy Fuller – in charge of layout – has
incredible vision and talent.
I would also like to say thank you to my husband, Derek Pepin – a former Black Hawk pilot –
for sharing his military expertise and reviewing countless pages of copy. And finally, I must
express my gratitude to Woody Randall, with the Celebrate Freedom Foundation, for believing
in this project from the very beginning and for all his support throughout its production.
It has been an incredible honor to be a part of this tribute to veterans, because I know that far
too often we forget all they have done. As my dear friend Col. Sally Crouch once told me,
“Flowers grow in Flanders Fields, and unless we’re careful there will be only flowers to mark
our having been here.”
- Rebecca Pepin
November, 2003
If this country has learned one thing the past couple of years, it is the fragility of freedom.
The September 11th attack provided a stark reminder to all of us about the millions of
Americans who have fought to preserve our freedom since the birth of this nation. Writing
Honoring South Carolina’s World War II Heroes of Flight is my way of thanking every military
man and woman – active duty and retired – as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of flight. In
this book, artist Eddie Sutton and I pay tribute to some of the heroes of one generation in
hopes of raising awareness about the past and present sacrifices of all those who serve.
Some of the names will be familiar as you read these pages, others you may be learning
about for the first time. These humble aviators of World War II are our neighbors, community
activists, and fellow parishioners, but they are never quick to flaunt their accomplishments. So
I will do it for them. Regretfully, the list of pilots is not exhaustive – I sincerely wish I could
have included every story out there. In meeting the aviators I was able to interview, I have
learned a great deal and have been touched by their remarkable tales of bravery and
devotion to this country.
I would like to thank all of the airmen for their cooperation and patience in proofreading my
rough drafts. I am also very grateful to Eddie Sutton, a gifted artist, who was able to help
make these stories come to life with his brilliant paintings; Photographer Anne Lewis – her
flare for the craft, along with her respect and love for veterans made the project even more
special; Editor Terri Randall has been wonderful, providing extremely valuable input and
ensuring the grammatical accuracy of the book; Kathy Fuller – in charge of layout – has
incredible vision and talent.
I would also like to say thank you to my husband, Derek Pepin – a former Black Hawk pilot –
for sharing his military expertise and reviewing countless pages of copy. And finally, I must
express my gratitude to Woody Randall, with the Celebrate Freedom Foundation, for believing
in this project from the very beginning and for all his support throughout its production.
It has been an incredible honor to be a part of this tribute to veterans, because I know that far
too often we forget all they have done. As my dear friend Col. Sally Crouch once told me,
“Flowers grow in Flanders Fields, and unless we’re careful there will be only flowers to mark
our having been here.”
- Rebecca Pepin