"My Gal Sal" Update

10/10/2007

I know it’s been quite a while since I have posted an update on “My Gal Sal” and the Ultimate Sacrifice Memorial.  The reason being that there hasn’t been much done to “Sal” for over a year.  The volunteers completed about 95% of the restoration and we can’t do much more to her until we build a new building to put her together. 

If you have been following the story and the history of the restoration you will remember that the concept of the memorial started over sixteen years ago with the intent of finding a reason to save a small airport in Ohio, while at the same time paying tribute to those brave men who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the Army Air Corp during WWII.  “My Gal Sal” gave us the opportunity to create that concept, but for all these years the political environment was such that we never knew what the outcome of the airport would be.  Without the survival of the airport, the future of the memorial was unknown. 

Well, I am pleased to say that in August of this year, 2007, the small community of Blue Ash, Ohio (where we are located) stepped up and purchased 139 acres of the 220-acre airport from the City of Cincinnati (who owned the airport) and has committed to build a beautiful park.  It is in this park the memorial will be built and will be the final home of “My Gal Sal”.  We owe a great deal of thanks to the Blue Ash leaders and community for taking the initiative to start the process to make all of this happen.  I’m not sure how long this will take, but after sixteen years of frustration trying to work through the political environment that exists in Cincinnati, we can handle whatever time it takes.  We still don’t know if the airport will survive, but it is our hope that with the new park being designed, the politicians will recognize the value of this important airport and not try to sell it to a developer.  Time will tell.

On a much sadder note, I just found out that one of the two “My Gal Sal” survivors, Wilson McGough, has passed away.  Wilson was the co-pilot on “My Gal Sal’s” last flight.  I had the opportunity to talk to Wilson on a number of occasions and I can say he was one very special guy.  Over the past few years Wilson’s health would not allow him to visit “Sal” which I know disappointed him very much.  Wilson, thank you for your service to our country. 

The sole survivor of “Sal” is John Patrick.  John was the crew chief on that fateful flight and is credited for saving the lives of the crew. (see history)  John resides in Dayton, Ohio and has visited “Sal” on a number of occasions.  We have had a number of visitors during the restoration of “Sal” and it is so rewarding to hear their comments on how original the volunteers have restored “Sal.”  She truly is the most original restoration of the few remaining B-17’s that exist.

Thanks for reviewing our web site.  I promise it won’t be another year before I let you know the status of what is going on with “My Gal Sal”.

Regards,

Bob Ready