Variety Channel

A Tribute to Our Vets

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Join Traveln On for a conversation with some of our Nations heroes in honor of Veterans Day. Tonya & Ian will be joined by Ret. Col. Gail Halverson, a former American Pilot of C-47S and C-54S during the Berlin Airlift (Operation Vittles) 1948-49. Col. Halverson, aka, Uncle Wiggly Wings is best known as the Candy Bomber during the Berlin Airlift. Also, Naval Chaplain LCDR William Middleton, has recently returned from Iraq and he will stop by to share his experiences and insights. Plus- Interested in going to the Presidential Inauguration? Tonya and Ian will tell you the best ways to obtain free tickets to the Swearing In Ceremony, participate in the Parade, and how to find the best hotel and flight packages.


Episode Segments

The Candy Bomber

Ian and Tonya welcome Ret. Col. Gail Halverson back to the program. The Colonel shares the story of how he got his nickname Uncle Wiggly Wings, and also talks about his experiences in Berlin, both during and after the War.

Tales from an Iraq Vet

Lt Commander William Middleton has a touching conversation with Ian and Tonya about his experiences in Iraq as a Chaplain. He also gives some resources where you can help the soldiers in Iraq.

Washington DC Inauguration Travel

If you’re planning to head to our nation’s capitol to witness the Inauguration of Barack Obama as President, you’ve come to the right place! Find out about the festivities, like the parade & the swearing in ceremony, as well as where you can find travel packages.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Col. Gail Halvorsen

Gail Halvorsen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grew up on small farms in Utah and Idaho. He earned a private pilot license under the non-college Civilian Pilot Training program in September of 1941. Almost concurrently Gail joined the Civil Air Patrol as a pilot. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in June 1942. Fighter pilot training was with the Royal Air Force after which he was returned to the Army Air Corps and was assigned flight duty in foreign transport operations in the South Atlantic Theater. After WWII he flew in the Berlin Airlift where he became known as \"Uncle Wiggly Wings\", the \"Chocolate Flyer\" and the \"Berlin Candy Bomber.\" The blockade of Berlin began in June 1948 and ended 12 May 1949. Flights continued until 30 September 1949 to build up reserves.
Col. Halvorsen belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been a Stake President, Bishop, High Councilman, and served in other callings. Gail married Alta Jolley of Zion National Park on 16 April 1949. They have five children, 24 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Three of their grandchildren have attended a school named for him in Frankfurt, Germany. Approaching 50 years of marriage, Alta died in January 1999. Gail is now married to his high school steady from 62 years ago, Lorraine Pace, who has three children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They presently live on their farm in Spanish Fork, Utah. Winters are at Lorraine\'s place in Arizona.

Rev. William E. Middelton

Reverend Middleton is an ordained Minister of the Word and Sacrament with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a licensed Social Worker. He has served on active duty as a Chaplain with the US Navy since July 1995. During that time he has served with Marine battalions, on Navy ships, a hospital and currently with Naval District Washington, DC. He returned in November 2008 from a deployment to Iraq where he worked with a US Army unit on the Iraq/Iran border. Rev. Middleton has spent his entire adult life in uniformed service to his country, joining the Ohio Army National Guard at 18. He served in that capacity through college and graduate school until coming on active duty in 1995. Prior to that, he worked as a hospital social worker at the University of Chicago Hospitals. He currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander, US Navy.

Friday • March 20

CST 9:11 | EST 10:11 | MST 8:11 | PST 7:11 | GMT 6:11

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