[donaldbyers]

Passing of Sgt. George Tom Parker

by donaldbyers on Sat Mar 06, 2010 11:00 pm

From email:
Sgt. George Tom Parker was a tail gunner in the 401st BG, 612th BS based at Deenethorpe. He was the last living member of his bomber crew. He was shot down on "Lady Luck's" final mission then served on "Sling Shift" until the end of the war. My grandfather passed at 3:30AM this morning; March 6, 2010. I was fortunate enough to have been able to visit the old airbase at Deenthorpe and got to board the B-17 at Duxford when I was 18 years-old. The men of the 401st were all very brave and my grandfather was proud to serve with them. Thank you for honoring and preserving the history of their service with this website.

[EDanaII]

Re: Passing of Sgt. George Tom Parker

by EDanaII on Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:06 am

[Salutes.]

Always sorry to see them go.

[Paul Bellamy]

Re: Passing of Sgt. George Tom Parker

by Paul Bellamy on Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:15 am

Sgt. Parker (left side, middle row) with the rest of the Kamper crew:



Forever Aloft.

[donaldbyers]

Re: Passing of Sgt. George Tom Parker

by donaldbyers on Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:55 am

Thanks for posting the photo Paul. I just added that a couple of days ago. Don

[MaryAlice]

Re: Passing of Sgt. George Tom Parker

by MaryAlice on Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:04 pm

Very sorry and sad to hear news like this. My condolences and prayers go out to the family.

[rick_kaufman]

Re: Passing of Sgt. George Tom Parker

by rick_kaufman on Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:28 am

It is always sad to see our family members (and heroes) pass. This is why the 401st Bomb Group Association exists - to insure that all the men who served will not be forgotten.

Know that we share in your tears, and do what we can to honor your loved ones who are now gone.

My father clipped the following poem out of a newspaper years ago and glued it into his WWII scrapbook. This poem shares a page with an image of a B-17 going down in flames. I will repeat it here for the benefit of those who haven't seen it:

To Dust

This is but a simple field... so long and hot and wide
Where shamelessly I shed the tears I do not try to hide
This bit of ground is hallowed now, some friends of mine are there,
They sleep the sleep they earned so well -- they'll wake without a care.
My friends they were, and will remain, and yours they should be too,
For men like these are worth so much who give their lives for you.
So earnestly I beg of you, retain this single thought,
This pile of dust was once a man and must not be forgot

Donald K. McLeod

This poem obviously addresses honoring the fallen, but it also speaks to me regarding the passing of those who served and were able to come home.

[Jackie (Sharp) Sheflin]

Re: Passing of Sgt. George Tom Parker

by Jackie (Sharp) Sheflin on Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:43 am

Rick,

Thank you so much for sharing this poem. It brought tears to my eyes and as you said...it really says so much about all those brave vets who gave so much for all of us.

I hope we will always continue to remember the sacrifices that were made in the past and are still being made today.


Jackie

[Paul Bellamy]

Re: Passing of Sgt. George Tom Parker

by Paul Bellamy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 1:10 am

A final tale for the guys of the Kamper Crew:

http://www.sj-r.com/bakke/x1520844855/D ... in-England

All the best,
Paul

[MaryAlice]

Re: Passing of Sgt. George Tom Parker

by MaryAlice on Sun Mar 14, 2010 3:40 pm

A final tale for the guys of the Kamper Crew:

http://www.sj-r.com/bakke/x1520844855/D ... in-England

All the best,
Paul

Thanks for teh link Paul. Very emotional, and brings back memories...