Those damn Yankees do it again

A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.

                                                                                                                                            — Bob Dylan

A few days ago, three brave young Americans — Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler — put themselves in harm’s way when they placed themselves between an armed terrorist and fine citizens going about their business on a high-speed train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris.

These guys didn’t flinch when they went after a man carrying a Kalashnikov assault weapon, a Luger automatic pistol and a box cutter. 

By the way, these courageous fellows were unarmed.

There’s an old saying: “Never bring a knife to a gun fight.” 

And they didn’t even have a knife. 

All they had going for them was their brawn and fists — and it was enough to subdue the attacker.

It is reassuring when people with a sense for the greater good, uncommon valor and the overwhelming desire to protect law abiding citizens from mayhem come forth to save the day

There is a lot to be said about America, and some of it has been nasty, but when we step up, there’s really no stopping us — and I don’t say that with arrogance. 

Just ask the Nazis!

These young men didn’t give a damn about their own personal safety after taking down a Moroccan national who was armed and dangerous

Now, those three big Americans, who were holiday in Europe, have suddenly become heroes because of their decisive and fearless actions.

I know there were other courageous passengers who also attempted to foil the terrorist. This example of bravery is just one reason why terrorism doesn’t stand a chance in a civilized society.

Too bad it takes a nefarious act to bring us all together despite our obvious differences.

I believe these three Samaritans deserve more than a hand shake from the governments of France and the Kingdom of Netherlands.

And that is why President Francois Hollande presented France's highest honor — the Legion d'Honneur medal — to the three Americans and a Briton on Monday. I am proud of these three young men.

I commend the French for paying tribute to these heroes. I have always been grateful to the French for their meticulous care of cemeteries where Americans soldiers rest after giving their the last full measure of devotion to their country and to the rest of the free world. Of course, Americans should always appreciate the French for giving us the Statue of Liberty and allowing the Marquis de Lafayette — a french military officer — to serve in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

All I can say is "Vive La France" and kudos to those three Yanks who put the kibosh on a possible terrorist attempt, and I am not alluding to that damn baseball team from the Bronx.

After, I am Boston-bred and a diehard Red Sox fan.

Wings of Eagles

The B-17 bomber sits on the runway at Lewiston-Auburn airport. 

This Constellation is being used as spare parts to rebuild another one in a hangar.

AUBURN, Maine — This is not the first time these flying relics have touched down at Lewiston-Auburn airport.

Whenever these birds of prey from World War II pay a visit to the Twin Cities, we grab a camera and stroll the tarmac to marvel at these leftovers from a past that fills the pages of every standard U.S. history textbook.

Last week, a B-17 and a P-51 Mustang rumbled into central Maine. I have seen and toured the cockpits of these World War II planes on several occasions. The detailed nose art on these World War II stalwarts is striking. I am still amazed at the awesome firepower of this four-engine bomber's .50-caliber machine guns that line the plane from top to bottom. How they persuaded a man to cram himself into the ball turret located under the belly of the plane is baffling to me. The only thing separating the gunner from a 10,000-foot drop to the ground is the ball-turret's glass.

I am a 6-foot-3, 300-pound man who cannot squeeze myself into the pilot's seat. The only section of the plane that I feel comfortable standing up is the waist-gunner's station. These planes were not built for big men with girth, but the pilots who flew these American bombers are larger than life. Imagine spending hours strapped into a cockpit while withering enemy fire from the ground and in the air whizzes past your aircraft as you concentrate on dropping a payload of 500-pound bombs on an obscure target.

Two exceptional films were made about B-17s. Spending a few hours watching the "Memphis Bell" or  my favorite, "Twelve O'clock High," is one way to get to know America's powerhouse bomber and the strategic roll it played during World War II.

"Twelve O'Clock High" is an excellent drama that focuses on American pilots during the daylight bombing campaign over Nazi Germany. Gregory Peck and Dean Jagger deliver Academy-Award winning performances and bring to life the dangers that these courageous pilots were exposed to during their daily missions.

Whenever I tour these planes, I often think of my uncle, Retired major B.J. Murano, who flew B-24s in World War II and jets in the Korean conflict. I don't know how this brave man came back in one piece after serving in two major wars.

Restoring the past

Restoration of a Lockheed Constellation continues at Lewiston-Auburn airport. After we paid homage to the B-17, we got a sneak peek at the restoration project of a L-1649 Starliner at one of the large hangars. The other Constellation, which is still sitting on the runway, is being cannibalized and used for parts. Watching these skilled men take apart an aircraft and modernized this behemoth from the 1960s is a real eye-opener and a lesson in ingenuity.