After completing 38 missions and 100 combat hours flying a P 47, Pop was shot down, captured,
and force marched to Germany. On the way
to the German POW camp known as Stalagluf #1 his feet froze. He spoke very little of the hardships he
endured as a POW. On May 1, 1945, he and
fellow POWs were liberated by the Russians.
Although he died on December 13, 2009, today is Pop’s
birthday. Had he lived, he would be 90
today. The picture at the bottom of the page
was taken on Pop’s 80th birthday.
The members of S Troop (the blended Saferite and Seymour clan) pooled
their money and bought Pop some flight time in a T-6 Texan. Pop never lost his touch as a pilot. He took the controls of this plane and did a
few loops and rolls.
After the death of my dad (Eddie Seymour) in 1965, Mom
married Bob Saferite (Pop). He was my
father figure for over 40 years—I could not have asked for a better step-dad.
From my dad, I learned:
Any job worth doing is worth doing right. From Pop I learned: A man is only as good as his word. As I think about Pop today, I do so with a great deal of love and gratitude, and I say: I can still feel the touch of the pilot who has guided me for the larger portion of my life. I give honor to his memory today.
Happy Birthday Pop!
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