Adjutant Mike - May News
A history of Nevada County's Veterans and their efforts to defend and serve our country was recently discovered by our VSO office. The history covers conflicts and wars going back to the late 1800's and to a large extent includes the activities and support provided by American Legion Post 130 after its' inception.
The components of the history stories have now been assembled into a "Magazine" and you will soon have access to the stories of individuals who you may know and stories like this you may have no awareness of ...Here's the tease ...
In 1942 Royal Dutch Navy Lt. Commander Rommel, after being stationed at McClellan Air Field, discovered Nevada County and the American Legion's Post 130. The Post and Elks club were big supporters of all those stationed at McClellan and Beale and often hosted dinners and dances for their troops. The Commander made many friends and shared those friends with fellow Dutch Navy flyers. As a sign of friendship the aircraft of the bases, a lot ofB25's, often buzzed Grass Valley. You may know our General Orio Steele who as a young kid watched these buzzes often.
On June 2nd 1945 the common sound of the B25 became loud. The plane began a dive at Grass Valley to "Say Hello" It's aim was to buzz Main Street. The aircraft came in super low. The B25 was at its' low point over Main and Mill St and attempted to pull up. The aircraft became unstable and as the pilot tried to pull out of the dive clipped a tree. Moments later the B25 crashed at Boundry Mine which then existed near Condon Park. The pilot, Lt. Basenau, who had visited Post 130 and Grass Valley with Commander Rommel and the entire crew perished.
This complete story and many others are in the "Nevada County's Veterans Honor Roll" magazine which will be available on Memorial Day. Funds raised will support NCCVC in their support of local Veterans and Veteran Organizations.
