I've recently been looking for a place to move to as I have to reduce expenses. Much to my dismay I found a totally renovated 1 BR condo in a senior apartment complex (55 and over). I never imagined myself in a place like this but the condo is so beautiful (and affordable) I can't pass it up.
So, moving from a three BR house I'm having to downsize considerably so today after work I met the landlord so I could get some detailed measurements of the place to see exactly what would fit and what wouldn't.
I was sitting in the lobby area waiting for the landlord to show up when I ran into an older gent I'd run into my first time there. We exchanged pleasantries but today I noticed he was wearing a Mighty 8th jacket and a shirt with USAAF insignia. So I asked if he'd served in the 8th AF in WWII. 34 missions over Germany as a gunner on a B-17 (twin .50's).
He nonchalantly tells me about all the reunions that happen and how he doesn't really go to them. I tell him about my father's service in the Army then the Merchant Marines and a flight of four B-17's I saw one day standing outside my workplace flying over in formation. He questioned whether it was three or four and which direction they were going. I admitted it may have been three but thought I remembered four. He then starts to tell me about all the airshows but again he doesn't participate.
As we talk and he mentions his 34 missions over Germany on several occasions I'm thinking this guy is lucky to be alive. As it turns out none of the planes he was on were ever hit by flak or enemy fire. How lucky is that?
I hope I run into this guy again. I'm also hoping to meet the older woman who offered her neighbor cinnamon twists because she loves to bake.
Who'd have ever thought?
