Originally posted by Lusche
One possible answer:
Albert Ball, VC, DSO & 2 Bars, MC, Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur, Order of St. George (4th class) (August 14, 1896 - May 7, 1917) was an English First World War fighter pilot and recipient of the Victoria Cross. At the time of his death, he was the leading Allied ace with 44 victories and only trailed the Germans' top ace, Manfred Von Richthofen..
I have a very close relationship with Manfred von Richthofen.
I was on my my way home from Germany in 1979 when I was in customs in Chicago.
In front of me was a VERY eldery lady with quite a large baggage (gifts for her great-great-grandchildren in Evergreen Park, IL.)
"Darf ich Inhen helfen?" I asked"
"Ja," she said" Ich bin doch alt" she said smiling.
I asked her in German where she was from, to make small talk, she said "you wouln't know where it was..."
"Really?" I said, is it in Silesia?"
Her face turned white, and she paused.....
"How do you know Silesia? NONE of the young people know that place?" she said.
"I did a very in-depth research paper on the Family von Richthofen for high school...do you know Schweidnitz?"
She looked as if she had seen a ghost.
"You know the family von Richthofen?" she asked.
"Yes" I said, having done 4 years of research.
"I am Anna....the gardener for the family von Richthofen", she said.
I helped her with her luggage through O'Hare customs, and introduced her to my father and (future) wife.
She told me (hushed) that Manfred would goose her on the bottom as she gardened as a joke when she was 17, and that Lothar was a great practical joker.
Even in her 90's she was a HOOT to talk with.
It was an encounter of a lifetime!
I thank GOD for that 20 minutes of history.
<
> Anna
<> Manfred
<> Lothar
<> Albrecht
68ROX
