Colonel Charles E. Shelton
to the Commemorative Air Force
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Message----- Gentleman, I am not sure I have the right site. I was looking for the Confederate Air Force and hoping to ask for a commission for a fallen vet. I represent a group of Vietnam Veterans and friends of "The Last POW", Col. Charles E. Shelton (USAF). He flew an F-101 in the mid sixties and was lost over Laos during an operation. My goal is to create a viable and honored website to his honor as a warrior defending freedom and our beliefs against adversity. Col. Shelton's story is intense and one of bravery. We hope to give him a place of honor on the internet for all to see what patriots are made of. Not blazing guns, but raw belief in the rights of freedom. I will include a link briefly covering his mission, capture and known POW history at the end of this letter. My query is about gaining an honorary commission for Col Shelton to the Confederate Air Force. The Colonel was from Owensboro Kentucky. His hometown is working with us to help prepare not a memorial site for him, but a fellowship site of patriots honoring the men and women who served and sacrificed for their countrymen. Should your honorable society grant this request, we ask it not be posthumous, but active. If there are certificates involved in the process, we ask you provide it to the Mayor of Owensboro Kentucky and its citizens for inclusion in to their tribute they have constructed. Possibly copies for his children. We do ask for e-copies for inclusion into our tribute website to Col Shelton. I own and manage a server network on the internet and am donating the space to honor our American heroes. One of our partners is a former friend and classmate of Charlie Shelton. In a recent partnership meeting the idea of paying tribute fallen and forgotten American patriots was brought to the table. I immediately asked for and was approved designated space to allow this to be so. Our first patriot is Col Shelton on our roster. We hope you will help us to honor this true Kentucky Gentleman. I am not or really ever expect to be of the caliber of the Colonels of the Confederate Air Force. But I do hope I may submit my lost brother to be honored in your roles as a leader and valued member. I do hope you will consider this as an application on his behalf. History Link of Col Shelton: http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/s/s134.htm In
regards and God Bless America From: Donna Blalack The CAF has a regularly scheduled Membership Committee meeting tomorrow morning. I will present your request for an Honorary Membership at that time. Thanks, Ms. Balack, Thank you for your attention, we await the Membership Committee's response. We do hope that the CAF will recognize Col. Shelton for his courage and patriotism. Regards
and God Bless America From: Donna Blalack
To: Overseas Vets Mr. Hoehn, The Membership Committee of the Commemorative Air Force met on Friday. They did not feel they had adequate time to consider your request. They want to read the bio on the website, etc. They do feel that Col. Shelton should be honored and they have held this item over for the November meeting. I will let you know what their decision is. Thanks, Our latest correspondence: Dear
Donna, The core team is made up a veteran researcher, a close friend of Charles' and a close friend and confident of Charles' wife, Marian. We also have joined ranks with other organizations to bring the Colonel's memory to life, such as the City of Owensboro, Kentucky and Rolling Thunder. Colonel Shelton's family is aware of our effort and endorses the site. I do hope your committee will access the Colonel's pages at http://www.lastpow.com and positively consider this outstanding man for an Honor Membership to the CAF. Thank
you again, God Bless America |
