“A Christmas Mission” by Rick Herter
(Printed with special permission from the artist)
It’s a few days before Christmas in 1944. A fresh snowfall has draped an Army Air Corp airfield in a winter wonderland of beauty.
The weather has cancelled flying for at least a day and the ground crews who are normally busy maintaining B-17’s have a little extra time on their hands. The men naturally reminisce with one another about the holidays back home with their families. They talk about looking forward to maybe being back home for their next Christmas. Life is pretty sparse in the crew tent without a great deal of room for luxuries. Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a tree.
As their fellow airmen play a game of cards and chat about Christmas past, two enterprising mechanics sneak off on a special mission. As the last light of day begins to cast long shadows over the icy landscape our friends return with some Christmas Cheer. Soon this simple symbol of the holiday will be raised in the tent and each and every man will be back “home”…even if it’s only in his memories. https://rickherterart.com/