4 November, 2026

The Berlin Candy Bomber


Did you know that today is National Candy Day?  When I learned this, I was reminded of the wonderful humanitarian example set by then Lt. Gail Halvorsen during the Berlin Airlift in 1948.  Having known about "Uncle Wiggly Wings" for some time, with just a few hours notice I jumped at the chance to meet him in April of 2012.  He was in the Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs, and was due to re-enact a candy drop to an entire elementary school.  


I linked up with my friends at the nearby grass strip, where a Piper Cub was loaded with sacks full of little parachutes, to which were attached bags of candy.  Soon, he was in the air, and I hurried over to the nearby school, to photograph the drop.  Good fortune would have the school located across the street from a nearby city park, where the kids were gathered en masse.  One student from each class was designated as a "gatherer," and soon, they were gleefully running around picking up the 'chutes with their little bundles of chocolate joy.


Afterwards, he quickly landed, and came to the school to greet the kids in person, as they left school at the end of the day.  To say that the look of joy on his face was heart-warming would be an understatement.  He took time to shake hands, give hugs, and even signed a few of the parachutes, much to the delight of the children.  I'm not sure who had a better time, but if I had to choose, I'd say it was his treat to be there.


Very much the retired US Air Force colonel, he was nonetheless the consummate gentleman, and I for one was very pleased to have met him, if only for a few moments.


If you are not aware of his story, and how the simple act of giving candy to children changed history, I urge you to look it up.  It's a worthwhile lesson on how we should treat each other, without reservation or expectation of anything in return.  It remains a proud moment for America...

 

Brown paper bag filled with packaged food items wrapped in white paper and tied with blue ribbons, resting on a rustic wooden surface.
Children in colorful t-shirts walk across a sunny grassy field carrying small bags while other kids play near tall green trees.
Young girl with glasses and a red hair bow holds an American flag while standing on grass in a patriotic polka dot dress.
Young blonde girl in a heart t-shirt and denim skirt runs across a grassy field holding a small blue parachute toy.
Elderly veteran in an olive military jacket and black cap shakes hands with a crowd of schoolchildren in front of a yellow school bus.
Two young boys in jackets sit on a concrete ground, crouching over a white cloth with blue cords as they examine it together.
Elderly hands write on a child's white cap with a marker while other children and adults gather outdoors in the background.
Black and white portrait of an elderly veteran in a cap marked 54 and a flight jacket with wings and a Halvorsen name patch.
Brown paper bag filled with packaged food items wrapped in white paper and tied with blue ribbons, resting on a rustic wooden surface.
Children in colorful t-shirts walk across a sunny grassy field carrying small bags while other kids play near tall green trees.
Young girl with glasses and a red hair bow holds an American flag while standing on grass in a patriotic polka dot dress.
Young blonde girl in a heart t-shirt and denim skirt runs across a grassy field holding a small blue parachute toy.
Elderly veteran in an olive military jacket and black cap shakes hands with a crowd of schoolchildren in front of a yellow school bus.
Two young boys in jackets sit on a concrete ground, crouching over a white cloth with blue cords as they examine it together.
Elderly hands write on a child's white cap with a marker while other children and adults gather outdoors in the background.
Black and white portrait of an elderly veteran in a cap marked 54 and a flight jacket with wings and a Halvorsen name patch.