HONORING THE DOOLITTLE RAIDERS –

AN ONLINE COMMEMORATION. APRIL 2020

In spite of the need to cancel scheduled  events surrounding the anniversary of the Doolittle Raid this year caused by the COVD-19 situation, the Children of the Doolittle Raiders  determined to follow the tradition of honoring the Doolittle Raiders on April 18, the anniversary of the Raid. On April 18, a virtual gathering attended by over 75 participants was organized to commemorate the Doolittle Raid. A video recording of the event can be viewed here.

Melinda Liu opened the commemoration by welcoming the attendees and outlining who would be speaking at the event.  She then introduced Jeff Thatcher, President of the Children of the Doolittle Raiders. Jeff summarized  an article he wrote pointing out parallels between the responses to  the current coronavirus pandemic and to the Pearl Harbor attack, focusing on the Doolittle Raid and its aftermath. Jeff’s article is available here.

AlanThompson, of Moet Hennessy outlined the contributions Hennessy has made and will continue to make to support the Doolittle Raider legacy. He described the tradition (https://noehill.com/sf/landmarks/sf184.asp) of servicemen buying bottles at the Top of the Mark in San Francisco to share with their brothers in arms in future visits. Hennessey has donated a framed photo signed by several Raiders to be displayed next to the squadron bottle case and has also provided two bottles of Hennessy displaying the Raider crest and a coin given to him by Col. Cole to be prominently displayed in the center of the case.

Rodney Williams of Belvedere Vodka, who helped support scholarships dedicated to the Raiders' legacy, reiterated support for perpetuating the Doolittle Raider story and spoke of the Raiders as true American heroes.

Tom Casey, President of the Doolittle Tokyo Raider Association described the history of  his association with the Doolittle Raiders. Tom then invited all participants to join him in a toast:

"Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glass for a special toast:

To the 80 Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, may they rest in peace, and may
their legacy live on forever.  God bless you all."

Tom's remarks can be reviewed in detail here.

The Rev. Mark Fitzhugh, son of Raider William Fitzhugh, led us in a moving prayer to bring the day’s activities to a close.

Melinda Liu thanked all for attending and expressed the hope that we would all meet again at the planned funeral ceremony for Lt. Richard E. Cole later this year.

 A recording of the entire presentation can be viewed here.