Major Paul D. Jewell

Last Friday, I had the honors of accompanying my Grandpa to the HAFB Aerospace Museum. It was such a wonderful experience for me to be there with him. We asked him if he wanted to go a few days before that and he said "no!" But, we were very sure that once he got there, he would love it and that was very true! When he pulled up in his "ride," he saw the planes in front of him and you could see the satisfaction on his face! It was great.
He absolutely loves planes. It was awesome to hear him give us some information about what he did, where he was, and what happened.

This plane was the P-47, but he said it wasn't the one

he actually flew because there was other models

and they don't have that one at Hill.

This was the type of plane when Grandpa was shot down over Belgium. We asked him what happened to the plane, he said they had to bury it. Hmm, anyone want to go to Belgium to recover a plane probably worth millions? He did manage to salvage a piece of the plane and had stowed it away in one of his flight jackets for many years. It wasn't until a couple of years ago, my uncle found it in his pocket. Later, my uncle had it framed with the dirt and presented it to my Grandpa!


















Ok, so there was a little bit of confusion when I shot this footage. Grandpa thought it was the P-51 that he was shot down in, but it was actually the P-47, but I still like to watch it anyway!

I didn't get all of his reaction when we came upon the P-38, I was a little late, but at least I got some of it!

Jordan, Curt, Grandpa, Mom, and Me!

This is the P-51. From what I gather, this was his favorite! I may be a little off, but...just a hunch!

Me, Grandpa, and Curt (my bro).

Grandpa giving a sigh, then said, "Thats My Baby!"

The woman talking with Grandpa is PJ, she is the person we owe a BIG thank you to. She is the one who made it possible for him to come on his field trip. Also, Grandpa was such an HONORED guest, he was given special permission to touch the planes. No one else could!

This is Grandpa explaining to my mom that my Grandma used to work on the simulators as a link constructor and did the ground work for the planes in Columbus AFB Mississippi in 1952. Grandpa was a flight instructor for the T-26's and the T-28's at that time.

Of course, I cannot forget the "LOVE BIRDS!"

My Grandpa is amazing. All in all, this was a great trip! Like I said before.....IT WAS AN HONOR to be there with him and IS an honor to be his granddaughter! I would not have missed this for the world!