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Ep 098 | Christmas from Heaven – Gail Halvorsen

December 25, 2022 By Thad Forester

On this special Christmas Day episode, we hear from a legend from WWII – Gail (Hal) Halvorsen.  He has many names:  Uncle Wiggly Wings, The Berlin Candy Bomber and The Chocolate Flier.  He became popular for dropping candy from his plane to the children of Berlin, from 1948-49.

His efforts gained support from many back in the states.  School children packaged candy in boxes with parachutes, and candy companies like Wrigley and Hershey’s donated items.  Thanks to his efforts he and his team had dropped 23 tons of candy by Christmas 1949.

Today we talk of “Operation Little Viddles”, how he became a pilot, how to overcome trials and depression, freedom vs. communism and the importance of serving others.  This is an uplifting episode that you don’t want to miss.  He shares that these children in Berlin taught him about freedom more than anything else.  It’s amazing what 2 sticks of gum turned in to!

Learn more about Mr. Halvorsen here:

http://wigglywings.weebly.com/

His book, “The Berlin Candy Bomber” here:  https://smile.amazon.com/dp/088290616X

Special with Tom Brokaw:  https://youtu.be/QWbISrde2mQ

Note: Mr. Halvorsen passed away in February of 2022 at the age of 101. This is an interview I did with him back in 2016.

Copyright 2022 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: candy bomber, christmas, communism, freedom, gail halvorsen, ww2

Week off for Christmas, Upcoming Guests

December 25, 2017 By Thad Forester

bassProshops-Christmas 2017I’m taking this week off to enjoy Christmas with my family.  This means eating too much sugar and wrestling with the boys.

Got some very interesting guests coming up – I’ll describe them in the audio of this one.

If you’re looking for some Christmas cheer, here is the link to last year’s episode on this day: “Christmas from Heaven” with Hal Halvorsen, aka, “The Candy Bomber”.

In addition, here are links to some of my most popular episodes over the last year and a half:

CCT Mark Lauren – You are your own Gym

Bobby Escorting Mark’s body to Dover – Angel Flight

Kyle Defoor – former SEAL, sniper

CCT Bart Decker – Horse Soldier in Afghanistan

Dave Grossman – Killology 101

Tune in next week for Roger Long – Marine dad and still kicking Parkinson’s butt.

If you’re still in the spirit of giving, check out my Patreon page to see how a very small donation can help with my mission here at Patriot to the Core podcast.

 

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: christmas

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