The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

August 15, 2010

Flying fortress

Vet relives memories from a lifetime ago aboard vintage B-17

By Tom Davidson
Herald Staff Writer

MERCER COUNTY AREA — “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it,”  88-year-old John Grosbeck said in a weak voice that was filled with emotion.

It was the first time Grosbeck had been on a bomber since 1944, he said. The local stop was part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s “Salute to Veterans Tour,” and on Tuesday and Wednesday people had the chance to buy a seat on a flight aboard the “Aluminum Overcast” B-17G.

The Aluminum Overcast is at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, Pa., through today and will be at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport Sept. 14 and 15. Ground tours are offered for a small fee but are free to all veterans.

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