BeleWings ( A Personal Note )

If you are lucky you probably have an item or two in your

possession that has been in existence in your world since you

arrived into it. Pictured above is one such treasure from my

family history that I cherish. I wish I had more detailed information for to

share this tale but it is a bit sketchy. I have been trying to research the story

with no positive result as of yet. I am going to have to visit some libraries with deep

newspaper archives and scour the microfilm.

My father had a deep interest in flight, he was a member

of a glider club in Johnson City, TN.

Eventually, he decided to go to Nashville and take the test to qualify for flight

school. Apparently, the highest test score was awarded flight training

with full tuition covered.

My mother decided to make the trip just so she could be there

with my father but, on a whim, she decided she might as well

take the test also since she was there.

Well, I can tell you're guessing ahead of me and you are

correct, it was my mother who had the highest test score.

I'm guessing this all transpired in 1936-37, for it was in

1938 that my mother brought home this lovely trophy

which reads:

Ruth.E.Belew

WINNER 1938 Tri-City Flying Competition

presented by

Major Walter.M.Williams. Director

Tennessee Bureau of Aeronautics

As I understand it, the contest included a test for

bombing accuracy, which involved the dropping of

sacks of flour on designated targets.

I'm not sure what else was required of the contestants

but, I hope to learn more in my research.

I think that was the entire scope of my Mom's flying career.

My father went on to join the air corp in the army

in 1944. His three brothers all served as well and, the

family back home displayed a four star banner which, seems

to now be missing.

My father, as he entered his 80s, discovered that his

pilot's license was still valid and soon partnered up

with a friend who had a small twin engine plane

This led into an exciting, though brief, chapter

in my father's affair with the sky.

But... that's another story, for another time.

Close examination of the trophy reveals that half of the prop

is missing. I seem to recall, somewhere in the deep recess

of my memory, that I may have had something to do with this

at a very young age.

Anyway, I was thinking of my Mother and Father

and thought I would share this sketchy history, perhaps

I can update it later as I uncover further detail.

If you have parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles

who are still around, take this opportunity to learn their

stories. Find out those details that go with your treasures.

You'll be glad you did.