Posted on Feb 22, 2015
MSG John Wirts
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On feb 14 2015 our country and my family lost another WWII veteran. My father joined the Army in 1943 as enlisted. He applied for flight training was accepted graduated and was licensed as a military pilot, and sent to the Pacific Theater and Japan after the war's end. He was an Air Force Reservist and retired in 1983. He was old school military and patriotic. He got married and had 4 children 3 boys and one girl. I joined the Army in 1962 and separated in 1965 and stayed in the reserves until 2005. My brother joined the Navy and served in the submariners. My sister joined the Air Force and got married and got out after 2.5 years as they did not allow pregnant servicewomen(WAF"s) at that time. So another of the greatest generation is passed on to that pilot's heven.
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SFC Mark Merino
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MSG John Wirts I thank you and your family for generations of service to our Nation and am honored that you shared your loss with the rest of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Greatest Generation RESPECT!
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MSG John Wirts
MSG John Wirts
9 y
Thank you!
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
9 y
Hang tough, brother. Prayers from Tucson.
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Sgt Michael Furphy
Sgt Michael Furphy
9 y
I'm very sorry for your loss. Your father seems like a great man. I appreciate his and all your family's service to our country. The country lost a great man. God just couldn't wait any longer to have him by his side. May your whole family be blessed.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
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MSG John Wirts I am very sorry for your loss. My family and I will add you and your family to our prayers this evening.
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TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn
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MSG John Wirts
MSG John Wirts
9 y
GySgt Wayne A Ekblad Thank you and your family and thanks to Tsgt Littlejohn, I didn't know you left Sherwood forest. LOL
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
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MSG John Wirts

One More Roll

We toast our hearty comrades who have fallen from the skies, and were gently caught by God's own hand to be with him on High.

To dwell among the soaring clouds they've known so well before. From victory roll to tail chase, at heaven's very door.

As we fly among them there, we're sure to head their plea. To take care my friend, watch your six, and do one more roll for me.

— Commander Jerry Coffee
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MSG John Wirts
MSG John Wirts
9 y
Msg Joshua Copeland thank you for the thought. One of the stories my father gave me from his adventures in the Pacific Theater he was flying a C-47 and a P-47 on patrol came in and escorted him to his destination. As they approached the field they conspired and requested permission for a formation of 47's to buzz the tower. The field not knowing gave permission, the two planes buzzed the tower one at full throttle, the other barely above stall speed, dad never mentioned the reaction from the tower.
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