Page 4 May 4, 2017 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance The Return of a Very Special Bomber Jacket By TerriAnn Ferren On Tuesday, April 18, as I climbed the steps of the Torrance Historical Society and Museum located on Post Avenue in downtown Torrance, I was excited to see the return of Louis Zamperini’s very special leather bomber jacket. The jacket was returning to the museum after being on display at Whiteman Air Force Base, in Missouri, during the AFGSC (Air Force Global Command Senior Leader Conference) Commanding Officer’s Heritage Dinner Gala (where the theme was Heritage of Great American Airmen). The jacket, under the care of Colonel Bruce R. Cox, was also taken to the formal event for the 307th Bomb Wing 75th Anniversary Celebration at the Shreveport Convention Center in Louisiana, not far from the base. During this very special event, the Zamperini Warrior Award was unveiled (funded by WWII 307th Bomb Group generation). But just how did such a valuable artifact from the Zamperini Trust happen to make the cross-country trip? It all began when Colonel Bruce R. Cox, commander of the 307 Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, contacted the Zamperini family inquiring if they would send an artifact belonging to Louis Zamperini for the Air Force Global Strike Command Conference. Louis Zamperini was a member of the 307th Bomb Wing, and Colonel Cox told the family that the squadron is proud of Louis’ legacy as part of its history- -and Louis Zamperini embodies everything the Bomb Wing aspire to as Citizen Airmen. Colonel Cox was scheduled to attend the Air Force Global Strike Command Conference and had an opportunity to bring a historical artifact that would tell the story of their unit and its mission--and displaying something from Louis Zamperini would be perfect. I found the jacket in the back of the museum on a table. As I walked up to it, I got chills thinking of Louis wearing it and all the places it had been. It has some rips and a little tear, but frankly it looks great. This precious artifact was back where it belonged, in Torrance, safely tended by the Historical Society for the citizens of Torrance. As I was told, Lisa Zamperini, (Luke Zamperini’s wife, and Louis’ son) contacted the Torrance Historical Society (where Louis’ items are on display) and the wheels began turning. Janet Payne, 1st Vice President of the Torrance Historical Society, was in contact with Colonel Cox. After much discussion about what the museum would send, it was decided Louis Zamperini’s bomber jacket would be perfect. The two teams worked on a plan for the very special flight--for very special cargo. “We didn’t want this valuable historic piece of history--Louis’ jacket--did not want to ship it. We didn’t want to mail it, we didn’t want to FedEx it. We had a courier carrying it--first class by the way--which was fabulous by way of our president’s father [Dick Smisek],” said Janet. After the courier and means of transportation were chosen, the next hurdle was how to pack this historic leather jacket. Janet had just purchased a new carry-on bag, which fit the bill, and she and Lynda Craemer, (who works in the archives at the museum) carefully stuffed the jacket with acid free tissue paper, gently folding the priceless relic into the ordinary-looking black carry-on luggage. At this point, I was thinking about how Dick Smisek felt carrying such a valuable piece of history. Although Janet told him he didn’t have to handcuff himself to the case, I imagine he thought about it. I know I would, but then you wouldn’t want to draw attention to the case. “We don’t take what’s in the ‘Trust Collection’ lightly, but when we thought that we were sending this with a courier, which is a really big deal to me, on the airplane and it was going to be with him all the time to safeguard it, and it was going directly into their museum with their archivist being responsible, he was practically going to sleep with it beside the bed if he took it anywhere,” said Janet. “We thought, oh, my gosh, this is the 75th anniversary and this jacket that we are the caretakers of for the family just squashed it into the case and how absolutely fabulous that is.” Luke Zamperini arrived at the museum and told me, “I think I put most of the rips into it when I was a kid. I used to wear it [the jacket]. It hung in my closet for decades when I was growing up. I used to put it on and play with it, as well as his other uniforms I used to play with. All the stuff hanging in the pilot’s lounge at the airport--that was all in my room.” I asked Luke how he felt about ‘sharing’ his father’s jacket and he said, “We were very fortunate before Dad passed away that the Torrance Historical Society volunteered to curate his collection, which made it very easy for us. People call and ask to borrow something from my dad’s and we tell them they have to go through the Torrance Historical Society and we feel confident they are doing it the right way.” Luke added that his dad told him when he was in Hawaii it would be 85 degrees on the ground, but when he would get up flying in the plane--and remember it wasn’t airtight--to 20 to 30 thousand feet, it’s freezing even in the tropics. “I remember him [Louis] telling me every once in a while, the base commander would say, ‘Okay, I want you guys to take those cases over there and put them in the plane and go up to 30,000 feet and come back down.’ And so what was in the cases was beer for the officers’ mess. So they would chill it and bring it back down,” laughed Luke. Also at the museum meeting and welcoming Colonel Cox, was Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey, who told me, “Obviously Louis Zamperini is part of the DNA of the city of Torrance and this jacket is a first-class relic. Louis has worn this jacket and here we have it on display in the city of Torrance. The Air Force saw how significant it was because they wanted to display it as well. Remember he was a member of the Air Force before the Air Force was the Air Force. As a result of what he and his comrades did in the Second World War Army Air Corps, [it] became the United States Air Force. That is why this year’s Armed Forces Day Parade is so significant. Not that it’s the 58th Annual, but it is the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the United States Air Force.” Mayor Furey also shared that a number of generals from the Air Force, including the Under Secretary, are looking forward to this as a national day for the United States Air Force. That means we will see fly-overs and paratroopers! This year’s parade will be special. Then, I was able to speak with the man who brought Louis’ jacket home, Colonel Cox, who told me, “There were two events that we celebrated.” During the annual Air Force Global Strike Command Senior Leader Conference, hosted by Four Star General Robin Rand, a formal military gala for AFGSC Wing Commanders and their Command Chiefs is held. At the gala, each Wing Commander presents a heraldic device. In simple terms, Colonel Cox showed the jacket and told the story of Louis Zamperini. The next stop for the jacket was the 307th Bomb Wing’s 75th Anniversary. This event gathered together Long Ranger American Airman from WWII, to current times to celebrate the rich heritage of the 307th flag. The highlight of the evening again was Louis’ jacket. As Colonel Cox told it, there was a long line throughout the evening to read the adventures of Captain Zamperini’s inspiring and unrivaled story. When the jacket wasn’t at a ball or conference, it was carefully housed and cared for at the Base Museum. It was at the formal AFGSC Commanding Officer’s Heritage Dinner Gala where the theme was Heritage of Great American Airmen where the Zamperini Warrior Award was unveiled (funded by WWII 307th Bomb Group generation). “The story will be told forever,” said Colonel Cox. “And I can honestly say, even though the 307th Bomb Wing didn’t exist for a time after Vietnam until modern times, we had veterans there from every war…and that jacket was the centerpiece.” Colonel Bruce R. Cox was impressive. Before I left the museum, I asked him if he had ever been to Torrance, and he said, “No, ma’am, but it’s beautiful and the hospitality rivals Texas. The mayor of Forth Worth would never come out to meet me!” Floating down the museum steps toward my car, I again gave thanks for living in Torrance and having such a rich history woven into the very fiber of this town. Thankfully, Louis Zamperini’s bomber jacket is back where it belongs. Back in the city of Torrance. • Luke Zamperini holding his father’s bomber jacket. Colonel Bruce R. Cox and Luke Zamperini. Janet Payne and the carry-on case that held Louis Zamperini’s bomber jacket. Mayor Patrick Furey admiring the Zamperini bomber jacket. School Board from front page 17 schools to have this math program.” ST Math uses the unique approach of visual and non-language techniques to enhance math. The staff report even identifies the software as having been recognized as one of four “STEM programs ready to scale nationally.” Dr. Kim added that the startup cost is the most expensive portion of the program, but the fee in subsequent years will drop “dramatically.” With the incorporation of ST Math in the curriculum maps and classroom instruction, all of the elementary schools will be capable of further supporting students with math comprehension and proficiency via visual learning. “We do believe that there is a great benefit for our elementary students,” Dr. Kim said. “Like I said, this is supplemental program and it does not take the place of the good teaching done in the classrooms by our teachers, but students have access to it after school and on weekends from home.” School Board Accepts Project Lead the Way Grant Awards The School Board also approved a request to accept Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Grant Awards for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years. The grant funds will aid the district in offsetting a portion of the cost linked with PLTW Gateway to Technology programs. Calle Mayor Middle School and Bert Lynn Middle School will receive the grant awards support to launch PLTY Gateway programs. Each campus is scheduled to obtain $10,000 during the 2017-2018 school year and $5,000 during the 2018-2019 school year. The staff report presented on Monday describes PLTW as a national “not-for-profit organization with a proven record of success in promoting careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects.” In addition to engaging students in STEM-related careers, PLTW programs are aligned with Common Core State Standards (academic standards set for math and English Language Arts/Literacy) and the Next Generation Science Standards. At the local level, these standards are also aligned with the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards for the Engineering Technology Pathway. PLTW works with K-12 students and teachers throughout the United States to create an engaging classroom environment not seen through any other program. Among the programs offered by PLTW are its K-12 Computer Science Pathway, the K-12 Engineering Pathway and K-12 Biomedical Science Pathway. Through its Computer Science program, PLTW is able to engage students in “true-to-life activities” such as developing online art portal, or developing problem-solving apps. PLTW’s engineering programs allow students to engage in career activities such as designing a home, electronic device programming, or exploring algae as a biofuel source. Students in the biomedical science program obtain a hands-on experience into the duties of medical investigators, biomedical engineers and surgeons. The $30,000 in grant awards will cover PLTW participation fees and all costs associated with teacher professional development. “Any additional cost will be covered by the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) or school site funds. Therefore, there will be no cost to the District,” the staff report concludes. •
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