One of the perks about being a journalist is that you have access to experiences that most people don’t get to take advantage of.  There are things like photographing fires, being on sidelines at Husker games, photographing important political figures like the president and vice president.  My most recent ah-ha experience had to be flying in the B-17G Sentimental Journey when it stopped in Grand Island over the Fourth of July weekend.

Being something of a history buff, I’ve heard stories and seen movies about the importance the B-17 bombers played in World War II and the destruction of the German industrial complex.  I’ve also seen the movie Memphis Belle which is a gut wrenching depicition of what it was like.  My flight over Grand Island was amazing.  Crawling through a tunnel to get to the bombardier chair, you begin to feel what it must have been like.  There’s no insulation in the plane, no pressurization, and no air conditioning to keep you cool.  Just you vibrating with the drone of the four engines.  Grab one of the guns and your imagination takes off with visions of Messersmits and FolkWulfs diving at you through the sky.

Needless to say, it was a great perk to be able to share.