Heather Rupksa Real Estate

Today I remember my great uncle — killed in action, July 20, 1944.

🇺🇸 Raymond Charles Hanke
11/18/1921 - 7/20/1944

Second Lieutenant Ray Hanke was a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Forces assigned to the 322nd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group (Heavy). He flew aboard the B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed Superstitious Alouitious.

On July 20, 1944, his aircraft was shot down by an enemy fighter during a combat mission to Leipzig, Germany. The wing of the B-17 broke off between engines three and four, causing it to crash in Ruppertasgrün, Germany.

In his crew 6 became POWs:
Pilot: Albert de Shaw
Co-pilot: Wilbur Keck, Bombardier: Bob Christopherson, Radio Operator: Chas Harris, Waist gunner: Homer Norris,
Tail gunner: John Peterson
And 3 KIA
Navigator: Ray Hanke,
Top Turret Gunner: Art Wilborn, Ball Turret Gunner: Gene Walker

They were someone’s son. Someone’s brother. And they gave everything so that future generations could live free.

The greatest honor we can give to men and women like him isn’t just a flag emoji or a moment of silence — it’s showing up.

Turn off the outrage machine. Stop letting the media decide who your enemy is. Research before you react. Talk to people you disagree with — really talk. Your neighbor is not your enemy.

Vote. Serve. Get involved. Be part of the solution.

This country is unlike any other in history — not because of politicians or headlines, but because of people who believed freedom was worth fighting for. Worth dying for.

We are stronger together than we’re being led to believe.

Be worthy of the sacrifice. That’s what WE do, America. 🇺🇸

🎖️

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