After a short explanation of the planned visit to the crash site and the cemetery of Oerie, our small convoy of cars got on the way.

We parked our cars near the woods. At this moment, the McKees must have realized that they were nearing the spot where almost 65 years ago their brother and uncle had lost his life.

We were standing close together. Behind us the woods, in front of us the empty fields A cold wind was blowing. Larry asked his son Kevin, a preacher, to say a short prayer, and all those present participated, silently and each in his own way.

We then went, accompanied by Mr. Kreipe and Mr. Schwischenko, to that exact spot in the field where almost 65 years ago the bomber had come down. The two German gentlemen, who had been schoolboys in 1944, described where and how they had found the wreck and the bodies of the crew.

Eye-witnesses: Fritz-Otto Kreipe and Horst Swischenko

The cold wind kept blowing. The eyewitnesses confirmed that, contrary to this day’s chilly weather, November 26, 1944 had showed a clear blue sky. However, the woods and the field haven't changed since 1944.

A picture of Raymond O. McKee who died in 1944

Mr. Kreipe is telling the McKees (Shawn, Kevin, Larry und Barney) about the plane crash.

After the impressive explanations of Mr. Schwischenko and Mr. Kreipe, Larry and Barney asked the two gentlemen to join them on the spot where the main body of the bomber had come down. They deposited nine white roses there; one for each of the deceased airmen . . . .

Flowers for the deceased brother

After this moving ceremony, the small convoy followed by Larry, Barney, Kevin and Shawn drove to the cemetery in Oerie.