Ceremony to the Memorial of the Pilots
translated by Zona Mitchell

Not forgotten are the American aviators fallen on our ground in 1944. A ceremony attended by many, in the presence of ex-serviceman.

Many ex-serviceman, local elected officials, members of the Souvenir Francais, as well as patriotic associations and their flag bearers, commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the army -active and former soldiers like George Lesko, copilot of Ralph Vince Shaffer, -Colonel Yves Obertin de Spicheren and Lieutenant-colonel Desire Reinert (e.r.) Ist Regiment of Hussards- parachutists of Tarbes, were gathered at the Memorial of the flight crew on the Stiring Road in Schoeneck. The American bomber Ginger is still in the hearts of all, and this Saturday, the commemoration of the sacrifice of the members of the crew of B 24 H, which crashed in Schoeneck on August 26, 1944, brought together a crowd-, but also a crowd of emotions.

Which special images still remain? That of the copilot George Lesko, 79 years, from the United States, moving forward in the forest and stopping at length in front of the upright marker where the names of his missing companions are engraved? Or this forest of flags blowing in the wind? French flags, Allied, those of ex-serviceman from Schoeneck, Forbach, Stiring-Wendel and surrounding communities. United, in tight rows, some in military fashion, all without defection, they paid homage to these young Allied aviators who 59 years ago, in these same forests, made the sacrifice of their life to liberate France.

White spray of flowers

Very dignified, Paul Fellinger, mayor of Schoeneck, found the right words in this highly symbolic hour. Not "French ingratitude", nor lapse ofmemory. The French are at the sides of their American friends. They will never forget! While the shining brass of the municipal Harmony of Spicheren interpreted with much sensitivity the French and American anthems, and the ceremonial uniforms of the firemen constituted an honor guard, George Lesko placed a magnificent white spray on behalf of the surviving crew members. The same from Paul Fellinger and Marcel Kronenberger on behalf of the city and ex-servicemen. A minute of silence, Taps. ...Numerous and contemplative, the regional gathering joined forces at the ceremony. While listening to these comments, one realized that each one knew like the back of their hand, the drama of the crew of Ginger; that the names of two other survivors, Norman Phillips and AI Lang, who had had the pleasure of attending the inauguration five years ago, were still on everyone's lips and in their hearts.

"To Ralph Vince Shatfer and his missing companions. I did not know you, but I searched for you. Our thoughts are often of you and we have a heavy heart when we think of your memory .You were hardly 20 years old with a promising future. You hardly knew France and you fought for our freedom. Until the day when all was lost in the horror and terror of the German Nazis. Vince Shaffer, we will always protect your memory. You remain a symbol to us", concluded the speaker.