C-97 "Angel of Deliverance" Cargo Loading and Unloading
11/07/2017 BIG NEWS! The "Angel of Deliverance" returns to the skies!!
Click on our C-97 Page for More Information!
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! German
Ambassador Klaus Scharioth with
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation President Tim
Chopp (at left) and Col. USAF (ret.) Gail
Halvorsen. (© German Embassy, Washington) Timothy Chopp, founder and
president of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, was presented with the
prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by
Ambassador Klaus Scharioth on January 18, 2011 in the presence of family,
friends, Airlift veterans and crew members of his "Spirit of Freedom",
an historic Douglas C-54 converted into a flying Airlift museum. In his speech, Ambassador Scharioth praised
Chopp's enduring commitment to preserve for future generations the legacy of the
Berlin Airlift which, through the heroic efforts of the United States and her
allies, saved more than two million blockaded Berliners from hunger, cold, and
communist rule. He pointed out that since the creation of the New Jersey-based
Airlift Foundation in 1988, Tim Chopp and his Spirit of Freedom have brought the
story of one of the greatest humanitarian relief efforts of all time and of
the lasting bond of friendship it created between the American and German people
to countless audiences all over the United States as well as in Europe Ambassador
Klaus Scharioth awards Tim Chopp the
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of
Germany. (© German Embassy, Washington) Among the guests gathered for the occasion at the
ambassador's residence in Washington was Colonel USAF (ret.) Gail Halvorsen,
Airlift veteran and famed "candy bomber". Adding his words to
Ambassador Scharioth’s, he reminded the audience of how this remarkable relief
operation and the deeply felt gratitude of the Berliners forever changed the
relations between the former enemies, and how the Berlin Airlift continues to
stand out as a monument to the guiding principle of "service before
self". To end the ceremony on a lighter note, childhood
friend and long-time flight crew member Danny Urbaniak gave some humorous
insights into Tim Chopp’s resilience, resourcefulness, and his outstanding
negotiating skills. He pointed out that the "Spirit of Freedom" had
often taken off with just enough fuel in the tank for its next destination, but
always managed to get enough gas for the trip home. Ambassador Scharioth with Tim Chopp
and the crew of the "Spirit of Freedom".
For more information and
photos, click
here _____________________________________________________________________________________________
German Order of Merit for Foundation
President Tim Chopp for
Keeping Berlin Airlift Legacy Alive!!
The Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation is a non-profit educational
group that exists to educate the public. We operate largely on donations
and continued support by dedicated volunteers. Without your support, these
aircraft will be scrap metal, and a great defining chapter in history will be
gone. The Foundation is listed in IRS Publication 78 as a 501(c) (3) tax exempt charity. The Foundation tax exempt
documents are available for public inspection upon request by writing to the
Foundation at P.O. Box 782 Farmingdale, NJ 07727
PO BOX 782
Farmingdale, NJ 07727
For General Email and Inquiry: info@spiritoffreedom.org
For Aircraft Availability and Event
Booking:
scheduling@spiritoffreedom.org
Created by: Pavan Mohan, Student, J.P. Stevens High School, Edison NJ - Kevin Kearney, Teacher, J.P. Stevens High School, Edison NJ