A full-day of activities focused on the Americans who joined the RCAF prior to the United States entering the European War after Pearl Harbour. Our special guests included Thomas Huffaker, American Consul General, Clarence Anderegg, Director of History and Museums for the USAF, Linda Granfield, author of a biography of John Gillespie Magee, and Joe McCarthy jr. whose father was one of the most illustrious of the Americans who served in the RCAF. The day featured “Living Historians”, run-ups of the Lancaster’s inner-starboard engine and the Fleet Fawn, flypasts, a British Army Gazelle helicopter, and the raising of a giant RCAF flag.

American Eagle and the Proud Maple Leaf

Lyrics

When Tom Withers Jr. was a young man
He decided to go off to war
From Roseland, Virginia he headed up north
To find a great wide open door
For courage was needed and Canada’s boys
Were sailing to Europe to fight
From the Battle of Britain to the missions beyond
Reflections of words from High Flight

Now who fights for Freedom
And who locks the hands
Together in battle for Bomber Command
American Eagle and the proud Maple Leaf
Flying together for what they believe

Over 8,000 airmen came up from the States
To fly in a high bomber stream
And Tom Withers letters were sent home in time
To tell of the courage he’d seen
And now there’s a stone wall in Nanton, Alberta
Where the names of the fallen stand tall
For the 700 boys were bonded by courage
With 10,000 who came at the call

Now who fights for Freedom
And who locks the hands
Together in battle for Bomber Command
American Eagle and the proud Maple Leaf
Flying together for what they believe

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