New Milestones, New Stories, and New Airlift Connections

Dear {{contact.first_name}},

June and July have been a busy and meaningful month for Wings of Freedom. Voices of the Berlin Airlift and the continued work of preserving the stories, memories, and personal connections that keep this history alive.

From archival research in California to new interviews and museum visits, this month has brought fresh discoveries, encouraging conversations, and several important steps forward for the project. Some stories are still unfolding, and others are now ready to be shared.

Thank you for continuing to follow along, support the work, and share in this effort to preserve the human side of the Berlin Airlift.

On wings of inspiration,

Bibi LeBlanc

💡 Wings of Freedom Non-Profit Update 💡

We are happy to share two exciting updates for Wings of Freedom, Inc.

First, we now have a Board of Directors in place. I am deeply grateful to the wonderful people who have agreed to lend their time, experience, and encouragement to this work.

Second, Wings of Freedom, Inc. has officially received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation. This is a big step forward and means that we can now accept tax-deductible donations to support our mission of preserving and sharing the stories of the Berlin Airlift.

Your support allows us to continue collecting personal stories, conducting interviews, preserving documents and photographs, and creating educational resources that keep this history alive for future generations.

To make a donation, please mail a check to Wings of Freedom, Inc. P,O, Box 3343, DeLand, FL. 32721, or click HERE or scan the QR code.

Thank you for being part of this work and for helping us carry these stories forward!

FOLLOW US
& STAY CONNECTED WITH WINGS OF FREEDOM

At Wings of Freedom, we're committed to preserving and sharing these stories so they continue to inspire future generations. By following our social media channels, you'll discover remarkable historical moments, personal stories, behind-the-scenes updates, and the ongoing work to keep the legacy of the Berlin Airlift alive.

Join our growing community and be part of the conversation. Every follow helps ensure these stories continue to be remembered, shared, and passed on to those who will shape tomorrow.

📌 New Story for 'Voices of the Berlin Airlift'📌

IRENE BINDEL - THE ANGEL CLOUD

History books tell us how the Berlin Airlift supplied a city.

Irene Bindel tells us what it felt like to be one of the children whose life depended on it.

Her memories are not about statistics or politics. They are about hope, imagination, gratitude, and the small moments that made survival possible.

I think you'll remember this story long after you've finished reading it.

Read it here:

English: https://wings-of-freedom.com/post/the-angel-cloud

German: https://fluegel-der-freiheit.com/post/die-engelwolke

🌎 News from Around the Globe 🌎

LUFTBRŰCKE FRANKFURT-BERLIN 1948-1949 e.V.
AT HESSENTAG IN FULDA, GERMANY

Luftbrücke Frankfurt-Berlin 1948-1949 e.V. was represented at Hessentag in Fulda, where dedicated team members shared the history of the Berlin Airlift with visitors. Their presence was especially meaningful because the Airlift corridors also passed over the Fulda region, where transport aircraft once flew over on their way to Berlin.

Events like this take time, energy, and commitment, and it is always encouraging to see people show up to keep this history alive. Through conversations, displays, and flags of the participating nations, the association helped visitors connect with the story of the Airlift.

They were also joined by a CARE staff member, adding another meaningful connection to the postwar relief story. Thank you to everyone who represented the association at Hessentag and continues to share this important legacy with the public.

For more info about the club:

https://www.luftbruecke-frankfurt-berlin.de/

VISITING THE MOFFETT FIELD MUSEUM

Another highlight in June was my visit to the Moffett Field Museum and meeting with the museum’s director, Dr. Jeff Wasel.

Moffett Field has a fascinating aviation history, and I was especially interested in the connection between the airfield’s Navy transport squadrons and the Berlin Airlift. Naval transport aircraft such as the R5D, the Navy version of the C-54 Skymaster, were part of the larger effort that kept West Berlin supplied during the Soviet blockade. According to a Moffett Field Historical Society document titled Navy Transport Squadrons at NAS Moffett Field, Navy transport squadrons flying aircraft such as the R5D, the Navy version of the C-54, supported operations connected to the Berlin Airlift.

The Berlin Airlift is often remembered through the aircraft flying into Tempelhof, Gatow, and Tegel, but the history also reaches back to the bases, crews, training, transport networks, and aviation communities that made those missions possible. It reminds us that It was a global aviation effort, supported by people and places far beyond Germany.

HOPE FLIES HIGH GALA

Every generation has the opportunity to preserve the stories that shape our future. The Hope Flies High Gala is more than an evening of celebration. It's an opportunity to honour the extraordinary legacy of the Berlin Airlift and the values of freedom, democracy, courage, and international cooperation that continue to inspire us today.

Whether you attend, sponsor a table, or simply help spread the word, your support helps ensure these remarkable stories continue to educate and inspire future generations. Join us on 12th September at the Utah State Capitol Rotunda for an unforgettable evening of innovation, education, and inspiration. Together, we can keep this legacy alive because stories like these deserve to be remembered.

Contact Jill Angerbauer for more information: 801.573.3003 or[email protected]

MEETING WITH ALICIA TRUFFER

During my recent visit to California, I also got to meet Alicia Truffer, daughter of Capt. August Francis Truffer, who served during the Berlin Airlift.

Alicia shared some of her father’s service documents, his Airlift medal, and an Army journal, offering a personal glimpse into the life and service of a man whose story is now becoming part of the larger Voices of the Berlin Airlift preservation project.

"Between 12 August 1948 and 17 October 1948 at Wiesbaden Air Force Base, Germany, and Fassberg Royal Air Force Station, Germany, Captain August F. Truffer, AO75630 1256th Air Transport Squadron (redesignated from 39th Air Transport Squadron), 1700th Air Transport Group, CILWATS Kelly Air Force Base, Texas (presently DS to 1420th Air Transport Group ALTF APO 742 (Prov) APO 751 U.S. Army), through ardent work, organized the aircraft maintenance of the above squadron and between 20 August 1948 and 30 September 1948 supervised his section as the only officer assigned. He was shown to remain on duty more than twelve hours daily for weeks and set an example to officers and men. That he is an inspiration to his men is indicated by almost constant, unsolicited statements and tribute from persons here who have noted during September 1948 a record largely made possible by excellent maintenance."

These family-held materials are incredibly valuable because they connect official history with personal memory. They remind us that behind every mission, every aircraft, and every statistic were real people, families, and stories that deserve to be remembered.

📌 Meeting a 100-Year-Young
Airlift Veteran in Colorado 📌

A couple of weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview an Airlift Veteran, E. John M. at his home and hear about his service during the Berlin Airlift.

John served as a weatherman, an often overlooked but essential role in the operation. He collected weather reports from across Europe, as well as firsthand information from the pilots flying the Airlift missions. That information was then used to prepare reports for the crews, giving pilots the guidance they needed before taking off toward Berlin.

The conversation added another important perspective to the larger Airlift story, showing how much coordination, expertise, and behind-the-scenes work it took to keep the operation moving and the people of Berlin supplied.

CLOSING MESSAGE

Every conversation, archive visit, letter, document, and family connection adds another piece to the story.

The Berlin Airlift was built on courage, cooperation, and humanity. Today, preserving that history depends on listening carefully, asking questions, and making sure these memories are not lost.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for continuing to support the work of keeping these voices alive.

With gratitude,