Wings of Freedom takes to the skies

World War II era bombers departed the Monroe County Airport Tuesday a day before Japan and the United States marked the 58th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. The B-17 Flying Fortress, famous for its bombing campaigns in Germany during World War II and the film "Memphis Belle," and the B-24J Liberator, the most widely used World War II American aircraft and the only one of its kind still operating, could be seen up close and boarded by the public for an $8 fee. \nThe tour is sponsored by the non-profit Collings Foundation based out of Stow, Mass. The Collings Foundation was founded by Kelley School of Business graduate Bob Collings in order to "promote living aviation and history and honor the memories of our World War II veterans," said Ryan Keough, national coordinator for the Wings of Freedom Tour. \nAll of the pilots on the tour are volunteers, including Fed Ex employee Jim Rollison of Vacaville, Calif. "I like old airplanes and it's a unique thing to do. I mean when does anyone get a chance to fly one of these," Rollison said. \nRollison, who has been with the Collings Foundation for six years, compared flying these bombers to "driving a 1948 semi truck at 240 miles per hour." \nThe tour was attended by many veterans including World War II veteran Bill Ramsey of Bloomington. Ramsey, a retired member of the Air Force, flew 28 missions over the South Pacific as a navigator in the B-24. The planes reminded him of "days of yesteryear" when "it was all we had," Ramsey said. \nMatt Richardson, Ramsey's 15-year old grandson, said he was impressed by the history of the planes. \n"I think the planes are pretty cool, and it's really amazing that they accomplished so much," Richardson said. \nThe event also was attended by Rudy Martel of Bloomington. Martel was 10 years old and living on the island of Negras in the Philippines when he first saw the B-24.\n"I saw 10 of them come in at high altitudes to destroy the Japanese airport, and after they dropped their bombs nothing was left but big holes," Martel said. \nMartel also witnessed a couple of bombers go down as a result of Japanese planes on kamikaze missions. \n"(Japanese planes) would just fly right into the middle of the plane," said Martel, pointing at the center of the B-24. The tour, a lasting tribute to those who bravely fought for our country and for the liberty of others, will visit more than 130 American cities. \nIt is currently being displayed in Kokomo.