Ceremony Honors World War II Airmen Lost at Brooksville Army Airfield
By Mark Stone with the Hernando Sun
Aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, students, and local dignitaries gathered outside a modest hangar at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport on September 30th to mark the 80th anniversary of a tragic aviation accident that still haunts the airport’s history.
This ceremony was a first of its kind at the airfield, shedding light on a chapter of history that seemed to have been forgotten. The event commenced with a Color Guard from Central High School Navy JROTC presenting the national colors while an ensemble known as “The Flying Musicians” played the National Anthem. Several speakers, including Don Etchison, shared insights about the airport’s history, standing against a backdrop of World War II aircraft and a massive American flag.
The event was sponsored by the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter and was dedicated to remembering the eleven crewmen of a B-17 bomber who lost their lives in a crash near the field on October 3, 1943. This commemoration was the result of extensive research conducted by EAA member Don Etchison, who delved into the airport’s early years when it was known as Brooksville Army Airfield.
The Flying Musicians Brass formed by FMA member Lynn Postel, has performed at several aviation events in Florida: Sebring Light Sport Expo, DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase, and Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland.
Link to the full article at the Hernando Sun – Ceremony Honors World War II Airmen Lost at Brooksville Army Airfield – Hernando Sun
About Lynn Postel:
My musical history began in the fourth grade while I was attending a small school in rural Iowa. I was learning to play trumpet with the band and dreaded it but continued until finally, in sixth grade, I told the band director I was going to quit. Mr. Dicken asked why so I told him I wasn’t good at it, I didn’t like trumpet, and I was finished with it. He responded by saying he had another instrument that I might do better with. The next day I was introduced to the sousaphone. I was too small to carry it and needed to sit beside it reaching through it to manipulate the valves. I enjoyed playing it! When I began my junior year of high school, there was a new Conn 20J upright tuba waiting for me in the band room. During that year I was able to take this tuba to All State competition in Des Moines (the state capital) and was selected to sit 4th seat in the All-State High School Band.
I joined the Navy after graduation from high school. At my first duty station I volunteered to play bass bugle in the Pt. Mugu Drum and Bugle Corps Marching Band. The affiliation was short-lived however due to further orders and my Navy career.
After retiring from the Navy, I worked for Boeing in field service. I had no instrument but wanted to play again. I was able to secure a sousaphone from military salvage and played with a church choir. (Our youngest son also picked up the tuba and played it since grade school.) A Boeing work assignment took us to Guam, but we left the Sousaphone with our son in the states thinking there would not be playing opportunities on an island. As it turned out, they had the Guam Territorial Band that needed a tuba player. They even furnished a school instrument for me to play. I also played with the Guam Symphony and enjoyed opportunities to play alongside some talented Japanese musicians when they came to Guam for joint concerts. While a part of the Guam Territorial Band I had the honor of playing “Hail to the Chief” when the US President visited the Island. I travelled with Guam Territorial Band on a trip to Europe when the band was invited to play in the International Lions Club parade in Birmingham, England. While there we played concerts in Scotland and Ireland, too.
Now retired from Boeing and living in Florida, I play with the Deutschmeister Blas Band every Oktoberfest season. This year we completed 23 performances. The Richey Concert Band began its 2023-2024 season and I play my tuba with them. The Flying Musicians affiliation inspired me to form a quintet which has played at airshows and local functions. Through the years I have enjoyed playing in over 30 Tuba Christmas concerts all over the United States, even in the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC. One of my fondest memories is sitting beside my son in Carnegie Hall, New York City with the Guam Territorial Band, both of us playing our tubas in a national band competition. God has been so good to us!
