O'Fallon, Illinois Relay For Life 2010 to support the fight against cancer.

This is Marie and Jim Billingsley's second time to attend a Relay for Life event. This is the fifth Relay for Life to be held in O'Fallon, Illinois.

The relay starts at sunset and goes on through the night. The night symbolizes the fight against cancer. When the sun re-appears and morning light shines it symbolizes hope that no one else will say the words "I have cancer". This was the hosts opening remarks at the 2010 Relay for Life held in O'Fallon, Illinois.

A dinner to recognise the survivors and their caregivers was held before the relay began. At the dinner several poems were read by survivors. The following was the first to be read.

Survivors

Not everything about life is predictable.

You run across things that are not foreseeable.

That happened the day you learned of the cancer,

And fell into that position that was unenviable.

There were many ways you could have faced the cancer.

But you chose to face it with toughness and grit.

You weren't exactly sure how the battle would go.

All you knew was that you would not quit.

Things seemed to get really tough sometimes,

When the cancer was constantly on the attack.

But even there at your lowest possible point,

You had what it took to rally back.

You moved forward with bravery overflowing,

When it came to the cancer you did not fear it.

Instead with confidence you faced it head on,

Determined to display your fighting spirit.

With doubt, bitterness and negativity,

Your way of thinking would not be polluted.

Because throughout your body and your heart,

Undying optimism and positivity were deep-rooted.

Your strength came from those around you.

Everything that you did was based on love.

That is why anything that cancer threw at you,

You knew that you would be able to rise above.

With your passion and your determination,

You knew that all things were achievable.

Because as people with faith in their lives,

You knew you could do the unbelievable.

When it comes to everlasting hope and grace,

You are always going to be subscribers,

Because of that when people look into your souls

They will see that you are survivors.

A poem by Kevin Nowak. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kevin-Nowak/75984344572 .

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The Early History of the Illinois Indians

I have always wondered how the town Mascoutah got it's name. Here is a short collection of facts I have learned about the Illinois Indians who lived here about 370 years ago. The information used here was obtained from a interesting dvd titled "The Early History of the Illinois Indians". The dvd was produced by Jeff A. Specker, is narrated by David W. Froman and is available at the Mascoutah library.

Nipwanntikaanis: Lodge where we learn from each other.

"....the second fresh water sea [Lake Superior], upon the shores of which the Maroumine [Menominee]; and still further upon the same banks dwell the Ouinpigou [Winnebago]....In the neighborhood of this nation are the Naduesiu [Sioux], the [Assiniboines] Assinipour, the Eriniouai [Illinois], the Rasaouakoueton [Mascouten], and the Pouutouatami [Potawatomi]."
JR 18:231
Father Le Jeune
1640

The first published reference to the Illinois appears in the Jesuit Relations [JR] in the report submitted by Father Le Jeune for the year 1640.

Who were the Illinois? Somewhat unique. Not a tribe. They were broken down into sub tribes. Inoca the Ojibwa called them Illiniwek. French interpretations of the name became Illinois.

Illinois sub tribes
Peoria
Kaskaskia
Cahokia
Metchigamia
Tamaroa
Moingwena
Chepoussa
Coiracaentanon
Tapouroa
Maroa
Chinkoa
Eseminkia
Omouhoas.

Miamia sub tribes
Wea
Piankashaw.

United by a common language and culture. Miami controlled the eastern end of the territory. Illinois Indians were farmers, hunters and gatherers, traders and warriors.

The Mascouten sub tribe actually lived in the lower portion of present day Michigan.

Bison, elk and black bear were common during the late 1600's early 1700's. Illinois lived in wigwams and long houses simular to the Froquois long houses. Illinois lived in harmony with the environment.

Winter would find the Illinois scattered across the countryside broken up from groups formed in warmer weather. They would follow the movements of their food sources such as elk and bison. In spring they would return to their main village site. Illinois grew corn, gords, pumpkins, squash and beans. They'd grow the corn first then beans letting the vines grow up the corn stalks. They'd grow the corn and plant the beans and squash in between the corn. Corn, beans and squash were known as the three sisters.

Summertime was the best time for hunting by the young men in the tribe. Male reputations depended on military exploits first, but a close second was hunting exploits. The Illinois and Souix were not on the best of terms. The Souix lived to the northwest near present day South Dakota. Most disagreements were about hunting rights and land occupation. Another Indian nation from the northeast called the Irocois caused the Illinois problems when they would hunt beaver in Illinois Territory. The Irocois lived near present day New York and would travel west when beaver became scares. On more than one occasion the Irocois were forced back to there territory. The Illinois used their great number to their advantage when it came to dealing with rival nations. They forced enemy nations back to their lands by banding together when needed. The Illinois used bison bone as tool emplements. Fall season was for harvesting crops.

Every type of animal could be found in Illinois Territory because it was part prairie and wooded land. The major mode of transportation the Illinois used to and from their winter camps was by dugout canoe. The many rivers in this region were the super highways of their time. The Illinois lived off the land. Everything they had came from what the land had. Food and medicines were obtained by trial and error. What worked was communicated through council meeting with other tribes. Pierre Daliett described Illinois women gathering Macoupins from the marshes. Macoupins may well have been the water lilly.

Illinois were very relationship oriented and spiritually oriented. A very devout population. They believed there was three spiritual worlds: Upper world consisted of human spirit and the Sun. Middle world occupied by people living today. Lower world occupied by panthion of spirits including under water monsters that sometimes had panther like attributes. One of these underwater spirits may have been portrayed on the bluff near Alton, IL. The so called Piassa. To the Illinois a balanced spiritual life was important.

"The nation, called the Alinouek,....is computed at fully 20,000 men and 60 villages making about 100,000 souls in all."
JR 44:247

The Illinois territory ran from western Ohio to eastern Missouri, from the Ohio River to southern Wisconsin. Realistic estimates of population range about 20,000 strong.

There are three banks of a beautiful river large and wide and deep they [French explorers] found the great nation of the Alimiwec, which gave them a very kind reception. The nation comprises sixty villages..."
JR 45:235

"On the thirteenth I crossed the Bay to go to find the Ovenigoutz [Winnebago] in their clearings where they were assembling."....About 30 years ago, all the people of this nation were killed or taken captive by the Iliniouek [Illiniwek]..."
JR 54:237
Pere Allouez, S.J.
May 13, 1670

Visit to Pima Air Museum, May 2008

While visiting mom in Arizona in May 2008, my brother Gil and I visited the Pima Air Museum, Tucson, AZ.


The Pima Air Museum is the third largest in the nation. This is a great air museum to go see.
I highly recommend going if you are in Tucson. The above picture is of a replica of the Wright Flyer airplane. It graces the entrance as you begin the guided tour through the complex.

Next topic of interest is the advancements in aviation powerplants. The museum offers a guided tour which I recommend.

Gil is standing in front of the B-17 exhibit.
Only a few B-17's are in display condition.
The nose art on this one is called "I'll Be Around".

This is a display of the B-17 Top Turret.

Curtiss Wright Cyclone Engine with 1820 cubic inch displacement. Curtiss Wright designed and manufactured with subcontract support from Studebaker. This 9 cylinder radial engine develops 1200 horse power of thrust. Fuel consumption during combat conditions averages at 50 gallons per hour (per engine). The B-17 engines were Turbo Supercharged which permitted high altitude operation.

Side view

The SR-71 "Blackbird".

This is a unique home built plane. The designer piloted this into the history books as the smallest ever flown.
The over all length is about six feet long and the wing span is under five feet wide. It measures about four feet tall.

Outside the museum offers many large aircraft to admire. I'm standing at the nose of the Globemaster 1 the grand father of the modern Globemaster 3 which I have worked on.

A group of special airlift mission planes on display include a C-140 Jetstar, a VC-137, a C-121 Convair, and a C-118 Independance. All used as VIP and presidential support aircraft.

Back inside there were a few examples of ww2 fighter aircraft.

TBM-3 Avenger

C-47 (Sky Trooper) Troop Carrier with invasion stripes on the wing.

B-25 Mitchell

B-24 Liberator.

Above is a B-29 Stratofortress and below a B-17 "Miss Angela" painted in 34 BG colors in flight.

Three day break to visit friends in Omaha

Last Sunday - Tuesday Marie and I took a break from our jobs and when to see Will and Risa, our best friends in Omaha, Ne. We stayed on base in visiting quarters at Offutt.

B-17F "Homesick Angel"

This B-17 stands guard near one of the entrances to the base.

This plaque describes the components that make up the defense triad and also tells about the transition from SAC to Stratcom.

Display in front of Stratcom.

Recently, a friend at work, Dean Spirkoff, made me a model of dad's B-17G "Miss Cue". Dean has made several models over the years as a hobby. His favorite model to make is the F-4 Phantom. Dean took several pictures during the construction of this B-17 detailing each position inside the plane. I have them in a notebook that he gave me.

This is the view from our room. We were right on the golf course #1 tee.

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Hutch for Marie

I started building Marie's hutch kit she bought at Penney's a while ago. There are two parts a wall rack and a three door hutch. Marie has quite a eye for decor. Right now she likes a country kitchen theme. She purchased the smaller items at Penney's over a few months. So, I'm glad I waited to take pictures of her artistic flair.

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Books about the 457th BG

The books pictured above are two out of three books in a series written by James L. Bass about the 457th BG. Other books written by 457th unit members include "The Fireball Outfit" by Ken Blakeborough; "Dead Engine Kids" by John F. Welch; "Black Puff Polly"and Flak Dodger" by Roland O. Byers; "From The USA To The ETO and Return" by James L. Bass and "Into Life's School: My WWII Memories" by Clifford Digre.

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Mascoutah Homecoming Parade, August 2009

Mascoutah Homecoming 2009 parade is under way!

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