Army Air Forces Historical Association
See pictures and watch videos of the Memorial's Dedication Here.
|
Lt. Robert "Bob" Grenz
|
Viktor Traczenko
|
|
|
It is with a heavy heart we report Bob Grenz passed away on the 7th of May, 2024. Bob was a WWII and Korean War veteran, and mainstay of the Army Air Forces Historical Association since its inception thirty years ago. (AAFHA) Bob was 99, ( though if you knew Bob, he might even argue his age with you on any given day).
His son Tim Grenz made contact with several members earlier today to inform AAFHA of his Dad's passing. As Tim explained to Al Parisi, Bob was a private person and asked that there be no formal funeral, and no obit published. Bob was buried in Paramus at George Washington Cemetery with full Military Honors, provided by Joint Base McGuire, in his uniform wearing, his medals. Bob is once again next the love of his life Lorraine. Blue Skies Bob C.T.Hartney AAFHA Staff Officer |
It is with a heavy heart we report that Viktor Traczenko, passed away on the 20th of October, 2024.
Viktor was born in Tagenrog, Ukraine where he and his family were forced to work in a German field hospital and munitions plant. After living and scaveningi for food in bombed out buildings at the end of the war, they spent 4 years in a displaced persons camp before migrating to the United States on a Liberty ship in 1949. Viktor enlisted in the US Army during the Korean War to serve his new country and earn early citizenship. His fluency in five languages assigned him to the Berlin Military Intelligence Compound. Following his honorable discharge he was sworn in as a United States Citizen in1955. This gentile WWII European child survivor, Korean War veteran, and devoted family man became a mainstay of the Army Air Forces Historical Association since its inception thirty years ago. (AAFHA) Viktor was 93. Blue Skies Bob C.T.Hartney AAFHA Staff Officer |
Thank you. Please watch the videos put together by AAFHA members C. T. Hartney and Paul Martin with a special song renditions sung by AAFHA songstress, Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day.
Upcoming MISSIONS: 2024
March 24, 2024: Annual Dinner, Oakland NJ, Invitation only.
May 25, 26, 2024: FDR Library and Museum WWII Weekend, Hyde Park, NY,
small squadron participation
June 7, 8, 9, 2024: Mid Atlantic Air Museum WWII Weekend, Reading, PA. Tentative
small squadron participation
June 14, 15, 16, 2024: Greenwood Lake Airshow, West Milford, NJ. Full Display
June 22, 23, 2024: Red Mill Museum Village, Military Heritage Weekend,
July 4, 2024: River Edge July 4 Parade, River Edge, NJ
September 22, 2024: John Basilone Memorial Parade, Raritan, NJ, 1 PM (Tentative)
MORE Exciting News: AAFHA's Christopher Hartney served as technical advisor for author Kristins McMoriss' new historical novel,
|
NEW: The Buchanan Project: A Tribute to Major Thomas B. McGuire |
Missions 2023 |
"Thank you so much for bringing the AAFHA to the Museum today! I can't thank you enough for putting together such a great program that truly kicked off an exciting and remarkably busy fall season of Living History for us! I sincerely hope you'll consider returning. The AAFHA made such a strong showing in comparison to some of our other outside Living History organizations. I really did not expect to meet a veteran of WWII that day! However pre-occupied by office work that day I was, know that you all made a lasting impression on me and--I'm sure--our visitors. It was a wonderful way to close our Four Freedoms exhibition and you were all superb educators. Thank you for also sharing your amazing collection with our visitors! Please pass along my gratitude to everyone who came out and say hello for me if you see them. It is such a pleasure and delight to work with you and the entire Association! Thank you again! "
Sincerely, J.M. WASKO COORDINATOR OF LIVING HISTORY PROGRAMS DIMENNA CHILDREN'S HISTORY MUSEUM
THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY 170 CENTRAL PARK WEST NEW YORK, NY 10024
Sincerely, J.M. WASKO COORDINATOR OF LIVING HISTORY PROGRAMS DIMENNA CHILDREN'S HISTORY MUSEUM
THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY 170 CENTRAL PARK WEST NEW YORK, NY 10024
They were the darkest days of the Second World War: American air crews fought their way to and from heavily defended targets deep inside Fortress Europe and the far reaches of the Pacific. These young men and women fought valiantly and many did not return, but they changed the direction of a terrible war, insuring victory and securing the freedom which we enjoy today. The Army Air Forces Historical Association is dedicated to "Remember, Respect and Honor" their service.
|
The Army Air Forces Historical Association® consists of volunteers from all walks of life who share a common interest - a desire to help preserve this part of our aviation heritage. For some the interest comes from relatives who served. For veteran members who flew, manned or maintained the famous bomber, fighter and transport aircraft, it is a chance to share their memories with younger generations.
AAFHA members were consulted by author
Lauren Hillenbrand during the writing of her NYT Bestselling book, "Unbroken". FAQ: Was it the Air Corps or Air Forces? |
Association members wearing original flight gear and uniforms of the time, are not just re-enactors, but living historians who movingly explain and re-tell the tales of the harrowing experiences of the World War II veterans. We bring to life the war years of the 1940's, that take on a special meaning often lost in history books or films.
|
A small sampling of pictures from our various events!
See AAFHA ARCHIVES for more event photos!
Site Map
.
A.A.F.H.A. meetings are scheduled for the second Saturday of each month, except where noted, and begin at 10:00 a.m. at........ Oradell Borough Hall, 355 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, NJ, 07649 The meeting schedule is listed here: Meeting attendance is NOT required to be a member! Participating members are welcome to join us at any of our regional dinners/historical events/airshows. Contact us at: Email [email protected] or text 914-980-5267 |
Background photo by Peter Zuidema. © Copyright 2016- Army Air Forces Historical Association ®
Copyright 2022: Army Air Forces Historical Association 501C3
© Copyright 2022- Army Air Forces Historical Association ® 501C3
All rights reserved - No material may be reused without permission.
If you have any questions about this site or general questions about AAFHA, please contact the Webmaster [email protected]
On occasion, the AAFHA web site links to articles and documents not served from the AAFHA.ORG domain. The information on these linked web pages is provided by a third party unrelated to AAFHA. AAFHA does not control or update this information and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information on any link. AAFHA has not completely reviewed and does not endorse any of the third party sites linked to these pages.
All rights reserved - No material may be reused without permission.
If you have any questions about this site or general questions about AAFHA, please contact the Webmaster [email protected]
On occasion, the AAFHA web site links to articles and documents not served from the AAFHA.ORG domain. The information on these linked web pages is provided by a third party unrelated to AAFHA. AAFHA does not control or update this information and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information on any link. AAFHA has not completely reviewed and does not endorse any of the third party sites linked to these pages.