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| The town of Delta, PA, and Cardiff, MD, hold an annual Heritage Festival. In 2001 the festival's was held in honor of veterans. The local VFW hall, named for John S. Murphy, 832nd, hosted the Murphy family, and surviving crewmembers of the Dolan crew to a dinner that evening. The festival featured an address by the Regional Commander of the VFW and a parading of colors by the local volunteer fire department. Airman from a local ANG unit fired a 21 gun salute. The community hall featured displays of local veterans who served in all wars, and memorabilia from a variety of wars and theaters. The gentlemen photographed above are near the 392nd Bomb Group (Heavy) display. Seated, from left, are Robin Smith (486th webmaster/historian), Jim Marsteller (392nd historian) and Dick Covert (tail gunner for the Dolan crew). Standing, from left, Ben Jones (webmaster/historian 392nd BG (H)), and a cousin of John Murphy. The dinner included nearly 100 family members of John Murphy, Ken Dolan and his daughter, Dick Covert and his family and myself. Following the dinner Ken Dolan read exerpts from his personal diary recounting the mission that his crew was downed. John Murphy was among the crewmembers who are presumed to have been killed on the ground. During official dinners and functions, the John S. Murphy VFW hall sets a place of honor for John Murphy. (photo submitted by Jim Marsteller) |