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A Rebel?
Hi Jay:
Our first night at Hotel du Parc, after dinner Willy and I chated until 1:30 in the morning. We talked about politics, Willy was a monarchist, He said to me, quote, "You are born to rule!" Not elected. he did not understand how you can elect a President, no blood line, Willy said, "How can that be? A royal prince is groomed, to be king from his birth. How are candidates prepared to be president?" That might explain some of the winners we have gotten.
There was Prime Ministry, Willy hated with a Passion, He later was the Belgian Ambassador to te United Nations. The man was a Communist. Willy's anger raised as he talk about him. He got up , left the room and came back with a small book. It was written in French and Flemish. It was the history of this man, the Communist. Willy said he had taken the manuscript to all the publishers in Belgium and France, He want it published and given to every school kid in Belgium. It was so controversal, none of the publishers would touch it with a ten foot pole. So, Willy published it himself, and gave the book to every school kid in Belgium.
I did not ask Willy about the Balloon attack when he was severely wounded, but he told me about it anyhow. He said he was adamate that he would walk to the King for his last medal, which he did.
He rubbed a lot people the wrong way, this affected his promotions. He should have retired as the Commanding General of the Belgium Air Force, but as a result of controversial manner, he made Colonel on his Retirement.
Willy was the Air Attache in Belgium Embassy in Paris when Lindbergh landed on 27 May 1927. He was the first person who spoke to Lindbergh in English. They had moved the "WE" into a hangar and Lindbergh was examining the plane when Willy walked up to him. Somewhat unfair of Willy, after 57 hours without sleep, I guess Lindbergh was not very coherant, Willy told me he thought Lindbrergh was rather dumb! He said he did not make sense.
The Story I relished was his flight to his home in Brussells, and circled over his home and got to see his Mother and Father. I had read the story in his book "Days on the Wing", but getting first hand with his excitement was something else.
It was a wonderful day with Willy.
Blue skie Jay,
Dan-San
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