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Show p r e s s Association Tear Sheets 1521 E 3900 SSte 100 Salt Lake City UT 84124-1550 A N E D I T I O N O F P R I D E & P R ll,l..l..l...ll..l<l.l..l...II.I.I..I.I.II.....I.I.I.I...II.I The Spanish Fork News M l . VOL. 3 / NO. 31 O C A L L Y O W N E D A N D O WEDNESDAY, P E R AJULYT 30,E 2008 D 50* from the Berlin Airlift to the present. .T 60 years of making the world a sweeter place Christy Hardman STAFF WRITER On Friday, July 25 Spanish Fork's Gail Halvorsen, also known as the "candy bomber," was featured as "Person of the Week" on ABC's World News with Charles Gibson. Halvorsen got his pilot's license in Sept. 1941, and he's been flying ever since, delivering hope to children and adults around the world. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, Halvorsen wanted to join the armed services as a pilot. His time in the Army Air Corps during the war consisted of transport- ing supplies in the South Atlantic Theater. When the war ended, he was eager to return home to Utah to settle down, get married and start his life, but another call from his country came for him to be part of the Berlin Airlift in 1948, bringing food and supplies to the starving people of Sovietblockaded West Berlin. Halvorsen had jusi purchased a brand new four-door Chevy, but the call to service demanded immediate response. Halvorsen got out of his car, pocketed the keys, and walked away. He never saw that car again. The pilots participating in the airlift flew day and night through fog, high winds. ice and snow. At night they slept in tents or tarpaper shacks that had previously housed some "displaced persons" in Hitler's work camps. Halvorsen slept in the attic of an old barn in Zeppelinheim. There was no doubt that the airlift assignment had disrupted Halvorsen's life, which was further complicated by the knowledge that all of these sacrifices were in behalf of the former enemy. Halvorsen said ali of his doubts and uncertainties disappeared the first time he landed with 20,000 lbs. of flour at Tempelhof in West Berlin. One of the men in the German unloading crew came out to meet them with tears in his eyes. They did not speak the same language, but Halvorsen said the expression of gratitude in his eyes did not need words. "Gratitude is the magic potion that makes enemies friends, and seemingly impossible tasks doable." Halvorsen wrote about the incident later. Now that the war was over, the greatest threat to democracy was the Soviet Union under Josef Stalin. He had already taken over Chechoslavakia and Hungary, and what was to become East Germany — and See HALVORSEN • A7 County Fiesta Days Fair coming home Salem grand marshals chosen Lindsay B. Wolsey STAFF WRITER Lindsay B. Wolsey STAFF WRITER After a six-year hiatus, the Utah County Fair returns to the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds Aug. 13-16,2008. The 2008 theme is "Building the Future on the Foundation of the Past," which is an appropriate choice with the fair returning to its roots. Jay and Carol Harmer of Pleasant Grove are chairing this year's fair, and they are excited that the fair is coming home to roost. "The fairground — that's where it belongs — that's the logical place for it. There's so much space — space for the animals, space for everything we need." Carol Harmer said. The fair is starting off in style with a big opening ceremony in the arena See FAIR • A10 David Davis / Spanish Fork News RETHINKING THINGS: A bevy of brave kids had their first shot at rodeo as part of Mutton Bustin' during the annual Fiesta Days Rodeo, July 21-24. Once some started riding, they weren't so sure this was the best idea. For more rodeo action and coverage of other Fiesta Days events, see page B1-B7. Reed and Lucy Cornaby, along with their son Kenneth, will be the Grand Marshals in the 2008 Salem Days Parade. The Cornabys were honored to be selected, although a little confused as to why. "This is quite an honor," said Reed Cornaby. "I don't know where they came up with the name, but we feel good about it. We kind of love this old Salem—it kind of grows on you." Lucy Cornaby has lived in Salem all her life. According to her husband, she's a web-footed pong town kid —born and raised in Salem. Reed is from Benjamin. The Cornabys have been living in Salem for over 26 years. After graduating from Spanish Fork High School in 1945 together, the high school See SALEM • A10 |