I can remember as a kid getting mine and my family's picture made from a photographer in the little town that we lived. I had known this man and his wife all my years of growing up there. I didn't know until my adult years that this individual had flown Spitfires with the "Eagle Squadron" in the early years of WWII. When the U.S. entered the war, he was re-trained to fly B-17's and became a co-pilot on a Superfortress by the name of....."Memphis Belle." When all this became apparent to me, I had a 100 questions for him but he passed away before I got to ask them. His name was (Capt.) Vernon "Shine" Parker and a hero of the highest order in my eyes.