Minute 024: A Piece of the World

The Rocketeer Minute Podcast

Guest Host: Lt. Col. Erik Flint

Erik is the Director of the Lewis Army Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The museum examines the transformation of combat vehicles, evolution of military air support and transportation, women serving in combat jobs, the latest life and limb-saving battlefield medical procedures, secured communications equipment and uniforms. Housed in the historic Red Shield Inn, the museum is undergoing a complete renovation of its exhibit spaces, and is scheduled to reopen at the end of August of 2017.

Summary

Cliff and Jenny discussing their movie choices for date night, and Jenny has suggested Wings of Honor, starring Neville Sinclair.

“Oh, brother,” says Cliff. “This, I’ve got to see!” He closes Jenny’s truck door.

At the theater, a newsreel is already in progress as Jenny and Cliff make their way to their seats.

“Herr Hitler,” says the newsreel announcer, “assures the Western powers he is not massing troops at the Czech border.” Pictures of Nazis troops marching in a parade fill the screen.

Footage of a dirigible appears on screen. “Here is the latest symbol of German progress,” continues the announcer, “the airship ‘Luxembourg,’ beginning its American tour to promote world peace.”

” World peace,” scoffs Cliff. “What he means is a piece of the world!”

“Where the locals turn out to greet Captain Heinreich and his crew,” says the narrator, “on their first stop of their goodwill tour…”

“Their last ‘goodwill tour’ buried half of Europe,” says Cliff to Jenny. A woman shushes him.

“… technological marvel,” continues the narrator, “though filled with explosive hydrogen gas…”

Jenny leans toward Cliff and whispers, “Your Gee Bee could fly circles around that thing.” Cliff smiles nervously.

“… safety of passengers on transatlantic flights,” continues the narrator. “After the short visit, it was into the clouds to continue a journey that will carry the Luxembourg to Chicago , Saint Louis, across the Rockies and finally to Los Angeles.” A montage of scenes of the airship, superimposed over a map of the United States shows the flight plan.

“Look us up, boys, when you get to Hollywood!” says the announcer.

Meanwhile, at County General Hospital, a heavily bandaged Wilmer sleeps in a bed next to a large, open window. A shadowy figure wearing an over-sized pork pie hat opens the windows from the outside. Ominous music plays.

In This Minute

Bill Campbell as Cliff Secord
Jennifer Connelly as Jenny Blake
William Woodson as the Newsreel Narrator
Max Grodénchik as Wilmer
Tiny Ron as Lothar