European memorials honor those who fought for freedom

  • Published
  • By Capt. Chris Watt
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  An American bomber was shot out of the sky by German fighter aircraft 60 years ago, and on April 29, Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe honored the fallen aircrew in a ceremony in Dinklage, Germany.

The B-24 Liberator bomber, named “El Lobo,” was returning from a bombing mission to Berlin during World War II when it was shot down. It crashed in Dinklage.

Honor Guard members from the 568th Security Forces Squadron’s elite guard flight crisply folded an American flag and presented it to Army veteran Robert Franke during the dedication of a new memorial that honors his brother, Army Air Force 2nd Lt. Douglas Franke. Lieutenant Franke, navigator of the El Lobo, and the nine other Airmen aboard the bomber were killed in the crash.

The ceremony was the culmination of German and American community efforts to find answers to questions about what happened to the El Lobo. Their efforts also created new friendships.

"Today we remember all those ... who lost their lives in the air war over Germany," Mr. Franke said. "It is also a day … family and friends of those killed from both countries can meet together in friendship with thoughts of the future and not the past."

During the next couple of months, ceremonies like this one will take place all over Europe. People of many nations will gather to commemorate and remember those who gave their lives, and honor those who survived World War II.

This year, there are large remembrance ceremonies happening throughout Europe commemorating the 60th anniversary of D-Day and many other important World War II battles. Some of these battles include Operation Market Garden at Arnhem in the Netherlands, and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium’s Ardennes Forest.

One of the biggest events will be the D-Day memorial on the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 5 and 6, with heads of state from Germany, France, England and the United States planning to attend.

Thousands of veterans, family members, history buffs, tourists and patriots will make the journey to the D-Day landing zones on the northern coast of France, retracing the steps of the forces who began the push to liberate France and eventually all of Europe. (Courtesy of USAFE News Service)