Tribute to Gail Halvorsen: The Chocolate Pilot Song

Live performance of the Wee CARE Choir (of the Quentin Blake Europe School, a bilingual public primary school in Berlin) at the Allied Museum of Berlin before veterans of the Berlin Airlift 1948-49. Gail S. Halvorsen is still the children's favorite for his idea of dropping chocolate tied to small parachutes. The song is part of a benefit audio CD featuring original new songs and messages by Col. Halvorsen specially recorded for this project. All proceeds go to CARE's Airlift memorial project, a new school in Nepal. See www.singadream.com for more information and listening samples. Source video by Helmut Schnitzke.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Gail Halvorsen
• Berlin Airlift
• Allied Museum
• Luftbrücke
• Alliertenmuseum

[centurystraddler]

British Airlift veteran Eric Chambers:

I recently attended the 60th anniversary events in Berlin to celebrate the lifting of the Berlin blockade. I was involved in the Berlin Airlift in 1948-1949 as a ground engineer.

I had great pleasure in purchasing a CD from one of the charming pupils from the Quentin Blake Europe School. Inside the CD folder was a drawing from a 6 year old pupil called ****. I pass my thanks to the pupils at the school for their efforts to bring help to children in Nepal.

[patriotmissile69]

God bless Col Halvorsen - a real American hero with a heart of gold. Thanks for posting the video. I hope Germans and Americans will always remember the special friendship that exists between our two countries and the sacrifices made by US servicemen in the name of freedom.

[centurystraddler]

Gail Halvorsen is certainly the kind of American that the Berliners and people everywhere like. For me, the most important thing is that he acted first and foremost as a human being. He actually violated orders by not informing his superiors about his first candy drops (He thought the Airlift would be over before this idea would be approved). One first-grader who heard the story of St. Martin, who gave half his cloak to a poor man, said, "He was like the Chocolate Pilot!"

[msaito888]

A moving moment after 40 years back from Anderson, Indiana where we spent the student life together and now you are in Berlin, I am in Japan doing a house painting business. I am so glad to see you help doing really worthwhile activity . Keep in touch!!!!!!

[TheHklotz]

Way to go Steve and QB singers!

[Bulingar]

Einer der Helden des kalten Krieges!

Die Geschichte von "Onkel Wackelflügel" der Schokoladen-Schirmchen abwarf ist eine der schönsten die ich aus dem 20. Jahrhundert kenne =)

[forzared101]

I met Col. Halversen today. He is probably the most remarkable human being I ever had the honor to meet.

[fandango0000]

what does the first verse say i cant make it out but i loive this song

[vanna70]

Centurystraddler, this music video IS being watched all over the United States!  What a small world we live in!

[vanna70]

A touching tribute to Col. Gail S. Halvorsen, Berlin's beloved Chocolate Pilot. Thank you for sharing this video with us. Now we can all see and hear this wonderful event all over the world!