See ya later padre

See Ya Later Padre

When we took off on a mission, Father Kinsella, the group chaplain, our Padre,
would always be standing in his Jeep at the end of the runway. He gave us the
sign of the cross and a blessing as our wheels came up . For sort of good luck,
I always said to myself,. "Be right back Padre, don't go away, just wait there
for me" I guess it was sort of whistling in the dark and convincing myself that
I would be back. Anyway I guess it worked since I always came back.The Padre
and I became great friends as time went on. Not for any religious reasons, but
because he was a bridge fanatic, He taught me to play bridge because he needed
a fourth Today when I play bridge I can hear the Padre reminding me to lead
fourth from my longest and strongest suite. One day I aked him how he felt
blessing a mission that was out to kill. He turned very serious and answered, "
Arthur. I am not blessing your mission. I am blessing you and your safe
return". When the war ended and we said our goodbye's, we agreed that we would
stay in contact., but I never saw him again.
Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer