S/Sgt. Merle Y. “Mike” Strang served
as Chaplain’s Assistant to Chaplain (Colonel) Russell L. Blaisdell
(USAF, Retired) who saved the children in the Kiddy Car Airlift in December
of 1950. Mike died in 1998 without ever having been given any citation
or recognition for his contribution to that effort. At our initiative
the office of the Chief of Chaplains, USAF, is pursuing a Bronze Star
for Mike for that feat.
On 8 March 2005 I found out that
the Bronze Star for Mike Strang has been approved and is on the desk
of Washington State Senator Patty Murray awaiting plans for the formal
presentation ceremony. According to protocol the medal will be pesented
to Mike's next of kin who would be his brother Homer who lives in Maine.
Senator Murray's staff person for military affairs did not inform me
that the medal had been approved and seemed upset that I was interested
in having the ceremony held in Las Vegas at the opening of the Korean
War Children's Memorial photo exhibit. I got the impression that she
felt that I had no further role in the matter at all notwithstanding
the fact that I was the person to initiate the whole process, do the
research and document the basis for the medal.
I sent an e-mail to Senator Patty
Murray telling her how upset I was with her staff. Whether she will
answer the e-mail remains to be seen. Meanwhile I spoke to the aide
to the Chief of Chaplains, USAF and he will take it upon himself to
call Homer Strang and speak with him about the possibility of the medal
ceremony being held in Las Vegas. One reason to come to Las Vegas would
be to see the photo exhibit that has pictures of Michael Strang and
the children whose lives he saved. Homer would also be able to meet
Mike's former boss, Chaplain Russell L. Blaisdell who could tell Homer
about Mike and his help in saving the lives of the children in the Kiddy
Car Airlift.
As this process unfolds I will note
here what is happening. Keep checking back. gfd
