Thank you US of A

[Ser Clegane]

Today we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift

Many Germans of my parents' generation still have fond memories of the "candy bombers" and the friendship they represented only three years after the end of the war.
While my father was not directly affected by the airlift (he only recalls that some "bombers" starting from an airfield not too far away from the place he lived in 1948) he also remembers the freindliness of GIs especiually towards the cildren of their former enemies.

In the name of my parents and their generation I would like to thank the US for the support and friendship they provided

[KarlXII]

And we're called bad guys

I do not think there is any thank you necessary for a humanitarian mission to aid fellow man.

[ICantSpellDawg]

No prob! You're a stand up guy. Glad my grand-parents could help you out.

[Fragony]

TMany Germans of my parents' generation still have fond memories of the "candy bombers"

That was actually a diabetes attack, cunning...

But let them have it once in a while huh? Still the greatest country in the world it just needs more dutch.

[Haudegen]

Today we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift

Many Germans of my parents' generation still have fond memories of the "candy bombers" and the friendship they represented only three years after the end of the war.
While my father was not directly affected by the airlift (he only recalls that some "bombers" starting from an airfield not too far away from the place he lived in 1948) he also remembers the freindliness of GIs especiually towards the cildren of their former enemies.

In the name of my parents and their generation I would like to thank the US for the support and friendship they provided

Well said.

Thank you guys!

[PanzerJaeger]

My mother's family benefited greatly from the airlift.

America continue's the tradition..

US charity donations hit 2007 record despite soft economy by Rob Lever
Mon Jun 23, 9:15 AM ET



WASHINGTON (AFP) - Americans shook off economic uncertainty and gave a record 306.4 billion dollars to charitable causes in 2007, an increase of 3.9 percent for the year, a survey showed Monday.

The annual survey by Giving USA Foundation and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University showed a rise in overall donations but hesitation by individual donors and companies affected by economic woes.

George Ruotolo, chair of the Giving Institute, said charitable contributions held up even with Americans fretting about high oil prices, the subprime real estate crisis and the ongoing war in Iraq.

"People don't appear to be panicking, they feel that it's going to be OK in 2008," Ruotolo told AFP.

"I'm not bullish but I am satisfied. Even when you adjust for inflation giving still was on the plus side in 2007."

The overall total is up just one percent when adjusted for inflation. It also represents 2.1 percent of US gross domestic product.

Ruotolo said that there are few instances in recent years where giving declines in current dollars, although during some downturns there is a drop after adjustment for inflation. Based on that, he said, "history would tell us we're not in a recession."

Some categories of giving showed slow growth.

Individual giving, the mainstay of fundraising and charity, increased 2.7 percent -- a drop of 0.1 percent adjusted for inflation -- to an estimated 229 billion dollars, or some three-fourths of the total.

Corporate gifts, closely tied to corporate profits, rose 1.9 percent to 15.69 billion dollars -- a decline of 0.9 percent after adjusting for inflation.

The rise in giving was led by foundation grants, up 10.3 percent to 38.5 billion dollars. Charitable bequests were up 6.9 percent to 23.1 billion.

Despite the positive trend in 2007, there are concerns about the outlook for 2008, during which time economic conditions have worsened and many Americans are focused on the presidential campaign, gifts to which are not included in the overall charity total.

"Charities we surveyed have concerns about 2008 for the economy and the stock market and the impact they will have on giving, but not about the presidential election," said Del Martin, chair of Giving USA Foundation.

According to the survey, presidential campaigns raised 580 million dollars in 2007 -- less than one-quarter of one percent of the 306 billion raised for charitable purposes.

Measured by category of recipients, religious organizations received an estimated 102.3 billion dollars or 33.4 percent of the total. That was a 4.7 percent increase from 2006 levels.

Educational organizations got an estimated 43.3 billion dollars, or 14.1 percent of the total. This was up 6.4 percent from the prior year.

Gifts to human services charities rose 8.4 percent for the year to 29.64 billion dollars.

Health organizations saw a 5.4 percent rise to 23.15 billion dollars and donations to arts and culture groups rose 7.8 percent to 13.67 billion.

Strong growth was seen in contributions to international organizations that provide relief, economic aid, exchange, and other programs. Donations rose 16.1 percent to 13.22 billion dollars amid what study authors said was increased awareness, especially among people born after 1981, of global issues.

A big question looking ahead for philanthropy is to what degree individuals and companies will cut back due to real or anticipated economic troubles.

The American Red Cross said this month it was low on cash and struggling to provide aid to disaster victims following a string of weather-related calamities in the United States.

Martin said individual giving makes up 88 percent of all giving when counting bequest, family foundation and individual giving.

Up to now, she said "the 'little guys,' the families most affected by the economy, kept on giving despite any worries they might have had about their personal situations."

Ruotolo said that although giving may not keep up with all disasters, the various calamities do elicit a response from Americans.

"There is a silver lining when these things happen," he said. "We are a very generous people and we respond to the plight of our citizens and people around the world."

[Samurai Waki]

We weren't going to abandon Germany or the rest of europe to the fate of soupy borscht and Sour Cream.

[KukriKhan]

Today we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift

Many Germans of my parents' generation still have fond memories of the "candy bombers" and the friendship they represented only three years after the end of the war.
While my father was not directly affected by the airlift (he only recalls that some "bombers" starting from an airfield not too far away from the place he lived in 1948) he also remembers the freindliness of GIs especiually towards the cildren of their former enemies.

In the name of my parents and their generation I would like to thank the US for the support and friendship they provided

How very gracious. Sometimes, we "do good". On behalf of my Uncle Jerry, who served as loadmaster during the airlift, and my own generation who have benefitted from cordial relations with Germany these many decades: "You're Welcome!". We'd (I'd) do it again, without question.

[Tribesman]

Thank you US of A

Are you neglecting something there Ser Clegane ?

[Incongruous]

Perhaps the RAF?
A rather large oversight.

[Spino]

So... does this mean every American who happens to be in Germany gets free candy once a year? Now that's the kind of socialist program I can sink my teeth into...

[rotorgun]

Thanks for remebering the generousity of my fellow countrymen in the past. Thanks in turn for being our steadfast allies for all these years despite the differences our governments have had. I also still have fond memories of my visit to Allemania in 1978. The German people are also capable of great hospitality and generousity as well. I was very moved to finally see Germany reunite in the 1980s. I spent a good time of my youth hoping that we would never have had to see Germany become a battleground against the Soviets. May our countries always remain friends.

[Strike For The South]

Perhaps the RAF?
A rather large oversight.

Its the USAF

[TinCow]

We're idiots, but we truly do mean well. Even when we're bombing the crap out of people, we generally tend to think that we're helping, even if we're not exactly sure who we're helping.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Thank you America, and Britain.

[InsaneApache]

Originally Posted by Bopa the Magyar
Perhaps the RAF?
A rather large oversight.

Its the USAF

No it's not, it's RAF. The USAF is American.

[Strike For The South]

I know. Merley bieng dffucult

[Ser Clegane]

Are you neglecting something there Ser Clegane ?

]Perhaps the RAF?
A rather large oversight.

My apologies for the oversight which was indeed not intended and is mainly due to the publicity of the "candy bombers" which shifts the attention to the US pilots (and due - to a somewhat lesser extent - to a lack of sleep on my end).

Of course my thanks should go to all who gave humanitarian help and hope to their former enemy (and apart from the British this of course also includes Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, South Africans - and any other I still might have overlooked).

[InsaneApache]

The French?

[Louis VI the Fat]

Didn't want to be petty, but now that you've brought it up: indeed, the French partook in the airlift. Canada btw did not. But for all intent and purposes it was a British / American show of course. The help of France consisted mainly of trying to not get in the way.
Especially in the way of the indispensable Texan Air Force - whose pilots' virility is still legendary amongst rural French women. Many of whom gave birth to half-Texan offspring after the airlift. These descendants later formed the backbone of the French football team that went on to win the European Championship thirty years later in 1984. But I digress...

Gratitude to America for the airlift is Ser Clegane's prerogative. Instead, I shall express my admiration for this very right decision that was made in the aftermath of WWII by America (and Britain, grumble). The Berlin airlift drew the democratic allies together, pulled a directionless France firmly into this camp, established a democratic West-Germany, demanded and aided reconcilliation in Western Europe, showed the Soviets a clear line in Europe that was not to be crossed, and it put up a framework that lasted for fifty years and safeguarded West-European freedom. All under the umbrella of US leadership.

(Now to wait for the East European version. Did they feel abandoned? Do they see the airlift as aggressive posturising that aided the establishment of the Iron Curtain? Do they feel the door towards a non-Soviet dominated central Europe was not yet closed? Or do they feel that the Curtain was an inevitable result of Soviet aggression, thankfully contained midway through Germany?
Do the South Europeans feel that the aggressive stance of the western democracies installed a policy that prolonged western support for their dictators? That America chose agressive anti-communist containment at all costs too easily?

Questions, questions...And no, not rhetorical ones, plain curiosity)

[LittleGrizzly]

What about the Welsh!!

I bet you don't all know the story of the Wel....

i forget, never mind... ;)

[Tribesman]

I bet you don't all know the story of the Wel....

Is it of an ovine nature ?

[Samurai Waki]

What about the Welsh!!

I bet you don't all know the story of the Wel....

i forget, never mind... ;)

We should never forget the Welsh contribution to the Berlin Airlift, I think I may have a picture or two of a Sheep handing out cigarettes to the Poor and Needy.

[Pannonian]

We should never forget the Welsh contribution to the Berlin Airlift, I think I may have a picture or two of a Sheep handing out cigarettes to the Poor and Needy.

Was the Sheep still attached to the Welshman?

[Samurai Waki]

Was the Sheep still attached to the Welshman?

Now you've just gone off and made my perfectly innocent joke dirty.





























yes.

[Tribesman]

Now you've just gone off and made my perfectly innocent joke dirty.

Innocent ???welsh and sheep
You may as well have made a joke about Fred West having a family business in patios