18. NOV. 2000 / FRANK LUKE MEMORIAL / MURVAUX

[Volker_Nemsch]

Five minutes ago I came back from Murvaux in France. The restoration of the Frank Luke Memorial
and the new commemorative plaque are really impressing. In todays hour of rememberence about 100 persons were near the place where Frank Luke died in 1918. He has not fallen into oblivion.

Stephen Skinner will tell you more as soon as he can.

Just a short information!
Volker Nemsch

Turn out of 100 is great, I could not make it but I helped by contributing to the fund. I hope there will be a lot of pictures.

[Volker_Nemsch]

I think that there will be a lot of pictures and perhaps some minutes on TV! I had a few minutes time to discuss with a cameraman before he started filming the event. One or two guys from newspapers were also on the scene.

Volker Nemsch

Our "Forum" contributor "Dzus" from the Salis Collection in France has offered his regrets that the SPAD XIII they have was out of commission- a replacement of the radiator is required. What a marvelous addition that would have been had they been able to participate in the commeration at Murvaux! Thank you "D" for your information- hope the XIII is airworthy soon. Lee

Hello... I am Tim King, the television producer working on a documentary recounting the life of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr. I was the person shooting video at the ceremony in Murvaux, it was so very exciting to see the wonderful turnout.
I joined the reception following the dedication and visited with many interesting people. Stephen Skinner by the way, is hosting the documentary that I am producing. It is only fitting that we officially met for the first time in person, November 18th, on the very field where Frank Luke was shot down.
I enjoyed the hospitality of the Mayor of Murvaux Serge Colin and his family. Everyone in Murvaux was warm and receptive. Americans are remembered well there, and I felt very honored.
In the bowling alley under the establishment where the reception was held, we conducted interviews with the townspeople whose parents witnessed Luke's death and were involved in his burial. Stephen had a translator on hand, and I am presently dubbing the tapes and mailing them to him for further and more detailed translation.
I welcome any and all contact on the Frank Luke, Jr. story and will be happy to answer questions. The program will be an hour in length when finished. I have already spent a good deal of time in Phoenix, Arizona, and I have conducted numerous television interviews with members of the Luke family there.
I hope this documentary sheds light for the public on the interesting aspects of WWI aviation, the people and the war in general. I hope other such programs follow, and I plan to be one of the people doing it.

[stephen]

A SPAD flyover at Murvaux??? That would have been too good to be true... almost surreal. In the "almost but did't quite happen" category, we had a German color guard that couldn't make it at the last minute and very nearly got a flyover of F 16's. Oh well. It was amazing enough just to see SO many people show up from all over Europe and the States, and so many organizations represented. Thanks to everyone who made it happen, and stay tuned for a full story here on the forum within a week or so, complete with lotsa photos.

All of those involved in this project are owed a debt of gratitude by all of us who wish to keep alive the memory of this brave airman. Wish I could have been there! Megakudos especially to Steve Skinner for his dedication and hard work seeing this project to conclusion. My question is how would I go about getting my local public television station to consider airing the documentary? Is that possible?

Regards

Volker: I think you underestimated the number of people at the Luke dedication: There are 160 people in the town itself; and the gendarme told my wife that there were about 300 or so folks there.
Did you by chance get the name of the second speaker (after the mayor)?
Billy H; 12/06/00

I think that even if that SPAD 13 was flyable that it could have made it to Murvaux. The place was just about socked in with temp about 32F and raining all day. But still a nice gesture. billy h 12/06/00