WWII Doolittle Raiders to make final toast tonight

[steve58]

The few surviving Doolittle Raiders are making their final toast to comrades who died in or since their World War II bombing attack on Japan.

The toast grew from reunions led by James "Jimmy" Doolittle, who commanded the daring mission credited with boosting American morale and throwing the Japanese off balance after a string of military successes.

Officials at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton say more than 600 people, including Air Force leaders and Raiders widows and children, planned to attend the invitation-only ceremony Saturday evening. Also expected were relatives of Chinese villagers who helped Raiders elude capture.

After Thomas Griffin of Cincinnati died in February at age 96, the survivors decided they would gather this autumn for one last toast together. Only four of the 80 Raiders are still alive, and one wasn't able to travel because of his health.

Raiders expected to attend were Richard Cole, Doolittle's co-pilot, of Comfort, Texas; David Thatcher of Missoula, Mont., and Edward Saylor of Puyallup, Wash.

Fourth surviving Raider, Robert Hite, 93, won't make it but his son and other family members from Nashville, Tenn., planned to be there. Hite is the last alive of eight Raiders who were captured by Japanese soldiers. Three were executed; another died in captivity.

The goblets, presented to the Raiders in 1959 by the city of Tucson, Ariz., have the Raiders' names engraved twice, the second upside-down. During the ceremony, white-gloved cadets pour cognac into the participants' goblets. Those of the deceased are turned upside-down.

The cognac will be from 1896, Doolittle's birth year.

http://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2013/11/09/wwii-doolittle-raiders-making-final-toast

[LongBlade]

I want to say it's the end of an era, but that era ended long ago.

Even so, it feels like we're losing something with the end of this tradition.

[GDS_Starfury]

yes and no.  these guys are famous for what they did but other groups have their own little celebrations for similar acts that didnt get the spotlight.

[Martok]

Either way, much respect to the Raiders.  Good show, gentlemen...and thank you. 

[Greybriar]

Whether they continue to meet once a year for a toast or not, they will be remembered for what they did on 18 April 1942 and the effects of their mission on the course of World War II in the Pacific.

The world owes them.

[GDS_Starfury]

most definitely.

[bob48]

Whether they continue to meet once a year for a toast or not, they will be remembered for what they did on 18 April 1942 and the effects of their mission on the course of World War II in the Pacific.

The world owes them.

+10 Very brave men.

[Windigo]

Whether they continue to meet once a year for a toast or not, they will be remembered for what they did on 18 April 1942 and the effects of their mission on the course of World War II in the Pacific.

The world owes them.

the timing of this raid alone was solid gold....

[JasonPratt]

Whether they continue to meet once a year for a toast or not, they will be remembered for what they did on 18 April 1942 and the effects of their mission on the course of World War II in the Pacific.

The world owes them.

the timing of this raid alone was solid gold....

As were the pre-war "friendship medals" returned to the Japanese tied to those bombs. ;)