NWWIIGPC-Conference

National WWII Glider Pilots Association Legacy Organization of veterans National WWII Glider Pilots Association. Discover our History, Preserve our Legacy
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY IS NOW OPEN REGISTER TODAY FOR THE 53RD NATIONAL WORLD WAR TWO GLIDER PILOT REUNION AND SYMPOSIUM

SICILY BURMA NORMANDY SOUTHERN FRANCE HOLLAND BASTOGNE RHINE CROSSING LUZON

World War II Glider Pilots Symposium

Due to COVID we presented a virtual Symposium, World War II Glider Pilots Symposium, to substitute until we can hold our 50th reunion, hopefully, in 2022. Our virtual symposium was held on October 8th starting at 10 AM (1000) to 3:30 PM (15:30). We had a two hour block in the morning with a 45 min lunch break and two and a half hours block in the afternoon.

Invitations were sent to members and past members as well as the 94th Flying Trainin Squadron Cadets.

Symposium Presentations:

Silent Saviors: Gliders for American Reinforcement Operations in Normandy, June 1944
Presented by Cadet 1st Class Cole Resnik, USAFA

Silent Wings Museum - Telling the Story Every Day
Presented by museum curator, Sharon McCullar

General Gavin's Special Force
Operation Market narrated by Bruce Overman and Fred Lunde

Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin
Video by award winning author Scott McGaugh

Lunch Break: Watch the sights and sounds that happened at the Air Force Academy as the 94th Flying Training Squadron, 306th Flying Training Group, hosted WWII Glider Mechanic, Curtis Cameron. An amazing welcoming from 4000 Cadets during our symposium.

Operation Thursday: Long Range Penetration in the China-Burma-India Theater
Presented by Captain Trevor Shimulunas, USMC

Invasion of Southern France
Presented by World War II Glider Pilot, Roger Smith

Maintenance and Reclamation of Gliders from Combat Zones.
Interview with Glider Mechanic Curtis Cameron by Lt. Col. Jeremy Lushnat, USAF Ret. Hosted at the 94th Flying Training Squadron, United States Air Force Academy

The State of the 94th

Presented by 2nd Lt Andrew Crites, USAF

Tale of Two TG-3s: Preserving the Legacy of Air Force Glider Training
Presented by Lt Col Colin Henderson and Major Brodie Henderson

Fallen Comrad Table
Poem read by our Chaplain E. Susan Pinter

Traditional Toast, "Hear! Hear!"
A 50 year tradition used to close all National WWII Glider Pilot Reunions

Information on our 50th Reunion:

The Executive Council met in a special session and a decision was made not to have the Reunion in person this year due to the high level of Covid cases in Lubbock.

We are very disappointed to have to make this decision but felt we had a responsibility to safeguard our members and their families. We do however, look forward to 2022! See you in person then.

R Bruce Overman
Chair, Executive Council