Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Memphis Belle
Several years ago, I was visiting with Shawn, a family friend, and our conversation gravitated to World War II. He highly recommended that I watch the film, “Memphis Belle.” I mentally took note of this and made sure I viewed this riveting movie released in 1990. Shawn was right – from the time those mighty B-17 Flying Fortresses lifted off the runway, I was nervous as a cat on a hot-tin roof because I felt like I was right there in the tail-gunner’s position. I just recently watched “Memphis Belle” again because I never want to forget the throes of war or the selfless bravery of the GIs. World War II was an American time of intense patriotism, duty, sorrowful romance, bravery, and fear.
The film is a gripping, real-life account about the ten young B-17 crew members of the Memphis Belle. During their daring missions over Germany in 1943, they demonstrated unwavering determination and unbreakable spirit. The movie-production team consulted with actual B-17 crew members from WWII to ensure accuracy. The physical and emotional hardships endured while engaging in their 25th and final combat mission over Germany was depicted spot-on. The release of the film sparked a resurgence of interest in the history of World War II. One movie-viewer commented: “My father was a tail-gunner on a B-17 out of Knetteshall England, 388 bomb group. He had to turn off the movie, too many memories.”
William Tecumseh Sherman, U.S. Civil War General, gave a speech where he told an audience that young men who glorify war misunderstand its true nature. He stated: “There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory but, boys, it is all hell.” War is so horrific, many of our veterans come home and can’t even talk about what they experienced and witnessed. When asked about his tour of duty in Vietnam, my friend Tom L. would just say, “I ate a lot of rice.” My dad served on the front line in Patton’s Third Army in Germany during World War II. He never talked to me about his campaigns from 1944-46 until I point-blank asked him. When Dad reminisced about the battle in which he earned his bronze star, he broke down and bawled like a baby. Yes, war is hell.
Named after the pilot’s wife, The Memphis Belle B-17 Flying Fortress was an ominous four-engine 30-ton bomber which could burn 200 gallons of fuel per hour at cruising speed. The ages of the crew members ranged from 19 to 26 years. Ten brave young men completed their most-challenging mission against the Nazi regime. Here are the positions they held: Pilot (24 years old), co-pilot, radio operator, navigator, top turret gunner, ball turret gunner, right waist gunner (19 years old), left waist gunner (19 years old), tail gunner, and bombardier.
When I shake the hand of a U.S. veteran, not once have I heard him/her say, “It was nothing,” “No big deal,” or “Don’t think anything of it.” Their eyes say it all as I grasp their hand and hold onto it. Those of us who have never served in the military need to learn to read behind the eyes. Believers are to “Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor” (Romans 13:7 CSB). Americans are obligated to pay our respect and honor to those who fight for our constitutional rights and protect our freedom.
The Key: As grateful patriotic Americans, on Veteran’s Day let’s honor our military for their sacrifices and unwavering courage. We owe it to them.