Christmas, Candy Drops, and the Spirit of the Airlift
Dear {{contact.first_name}},
As the year winds down and the days grow quieter, I find myself reflecting on what 2025 has brought to Wings of Freedom. This year was filled with conversations, memories shared across generations, unexpected connections, and moments that reminded me why this story continues to matter. What began as a book has grown into something much bigger: a shared space for remembering, learning, and honoring freedom together.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Bibi LeBlanc
✨ BLOG FEATURE ✨
🔔Voices of the Berlin Airlift 🔔
2025 in Review
A Year of Voices and Connection
A few weeks ago, as I was writing personal notes on Christmas cards, my mind wandered to each of the people I was addressing.
With each name, memories surfaced: a shared moment, snippets of a conversation, a story entrusted to me. I felt such awe and gratefulness, and a deep sense of purpose. It dawned on me...
Learn more about the Voices project:
https://wings-of-freedom.com/voices-airlift-en
🌎 News from Around the Globe 🌎
Karin Edmond and the crew of Spirit of Freedom and Senior Master Sergeant Alexander Nickel (left) and Lt. Col. Tobias Radon (right).
Photo credit: Kip Tabb
We’re thrilled to share that Candy Drop organizer Karin Edmond was honored with the prestigious German-American Friendship Award, one of Germany’s highest distinctions for individuals or institutions who have made exceptional contributions to strengthening German-American relations.
Presented annually by the German Ambassador to the United States, the award recognizes those who have advanced collaboration, mutual understanding, and international exchange between the two nations since its inception in 1981.
Karin received the award on December 14, 2025, during the annual reenactment of the Candy Drop at Dare County Regional Airport in Manteo, North Carolina. The ceremony was led by Oberstleutnant i.G. Tobias Radon on behalf of the German Federal Government, celebrating Karin’s remarkable dedication to community, friendship, and cross-cultural connection.
For more info about the foundation:
http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/
The Candy Bomber Foundation
Keeping the Story Alive
The Candy Bomber Foundation continues to inspire new generations to engage with the story of the Berlin Airlift.
On December 6, 2025, a special book reading of Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot by BeauJory Vanderburg brought together members of the Gail S. Halvorsen family and community guests for an engaging storytelling experience. BeauJory, a storyteller and civilian historian who shares military history at bases around the world.
He opened the event by showing a clip from the 2012 “Christmas from Heaven” Tabernacle Choir performance, featuring Tom Brokaw telling the story of the Berlin Airlift alongside Gail Halvorsen.
The evening offered a meaningful reflection on the legacy of the Candy Bomber and the enduring impact of the airlift.
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Recently, Anushka Mathai and Elina Zhang, middle school students from Maryland, competing in the National History Day competition, selected the Berlin Airlift as their topic. As part of their research, they interviewed Denise Williams, Gail Halvorsen's daughter, gaining first-hand insight into the legacy of the Candy Bomber and the humanitarian mission that captured the world’s attention.
For more info about the foundation:
https://www.thecandybomber.org/
Faßberg Airlift Museum Opens the 2025 Advent Calendar
Around 140 children visited Santa Claus aboard the FASSBERG FLYER
By Paul Hicks
"Once again this year, the Faßberg Airlift Museum marked the beginning of the Advent season with the Advent calendar organized by the NaturHeimat Müden (Örtze) e.V. support association.
Inside the historic “Candy Bomber,” the FASSBERG FLYER, Santa Claus and his three elves welcomed around 140 children along with their parents, relatives, and friends, distributing small gifts. Several children also took the opportunity to sing a Christmas song or recite a holiday poem for Santa.
This year’s pre-Christmas afternoon was opened with a short devotional service led by Protestant Military Bishop Dr. Bernhard Felmberg of Hanover, who was in Faßberg as part of a church visitation with Military Chaplain Florian Hemme. The visit was accompanied musically by the German-French Choir of the Müden Elementary School, conducted by Tanja Bolte.
After meeting Santa, children and their families were able to warm up by the fire pit with traditional stockbrot and hot cocoa, while chatting and sharing their experiences of the visit with Santa Claus."
“It was once again a wonderful afternoon and a successful start to this year’s pre-Christmas season. I would like to thank all the helpers for their dedicated support. Without the many helping hands, such a lovely event would not be possible,” summarized Ludger Osterkamp, Chairman of the Association for the Berlin Airlift Memorial Site e.V.
For more info about the club:
https://www.luftbrueckenmuseum.de/
Berlin Airlift 1948-1948 Association
Operation Toy Drop
The Berlin Airlift 1948-1949 Association carried the spirit of the airlift forward through its participation in Operation Toy Drop. Working closely with partners such as AUSA (Association of the United States Army) and the Bundeswehr Reserve, members contributed both funds and donated items — from toys and shoes to everyday essentials like toothbrushes and shower gel.
The response was so generous that a second gift table became necessary. More than a charitable effort, this joint initiative reflected the same values that defined the Berlin Airlift: cooperation across borders, care for others, and the belief that small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.
The Club's Traditional Christmas Dinner
"We had a very lovely, harmonious, and sociable Christmas gathering, which this time took place at the Naturfreundehaus in Mörfelden. We had a separate room that was beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Mrs. Gila Gordon, one of our eyewitnesses, was picked up by Dr. Zellhofer, and we were very happy to chat with her. She even brought along a few poems she had written herself and recited them for us. We were invited to take a selection of poems printed on colored paper, rolled up, and tied with ribbons, with us.
Dr. John Provan and Norbert Kandzorra shared short festive remarks and many words of thanks.
More than half of our members had pre-ordered the traditional goose, while others chose from a variety of delicious à la carte dishes and desserts. We spent a long time talking together, looking back and looking ahead. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone. 🎄🛷🎅🏼"
Susanne Korgnegay
Secretary
For more info about the club:
https://www.luftbruecke-frankfurt-berlin.de/en
✨Christmas in Berlin 1948✨
Christmas 1948
One of my favorite ways to experience the Berlin Airlift is through the radio reports of Bill Downs and Larry LeSueur, who reported from Berlin during Christmas 1948.
Their words capture the atmosphere in Berlin — not polished history, but firsthand reality.
“... However, the spirit of Christmas is gradually overshadowing the spirit of crisis in this blockaded city. With the military units, clubs, and organizations staging scores of parties for German children all over the city, it is a common sight to see lines of starry-eyed kids on the street excitedly carrying toys and dolls, bundles of clothing, their mouths full of candy saved from the American rations for the occasion.” - Bill Downs
Both Downs and LeSueur had a remarkable gift for observation. Through their reporting, we hear not just about aircraft and logistics, but about people celebrating Christmas under extraordinary circumstances, holding on to normalcy, dignity, and hope.
You can read the complete series of their reporting here and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of that historic Christmas here:
As we enjoy the holiday season, I want to thank you for reading, sharing, and caring about this story. Your interest and encouragement are what allow Wings of Freedom — and now Voices of the Airlift — to continue growing with intention.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with reflection, gratitude, and meaningful moments.
With heartfelt gratitude,
