When John and Patti handed us their father’s briefcase on the grass of Grimes Field, we knew we had something special that day.
With their kids, their grand kids, and their great grand kids there as well, John and Patti shared with those of us lucky enough to be there the stories of his father, Harold H. McDowell, radio operator and gunner on Betty’s Dream, brand new the day she arrived in New Guinea.
It was an perfect day for a meeting of families, united by their veteran fathers of the 345th who couldn’t be there that day.
To top it all off, they donated a large portion of Harold’s keepsakes from his time in Betty and the Philippines to the Texas Flying Legends Museum, to help us in our mission of honoring the history and the sacrifice of those who served.
We cannot thank John, Patti, and the McDowell family enough for the kindness, and Harold for his service for us all.
