Yahoo News Touching moment pensioner discovers his wish for a flypast over a memorial to US airmen who saved his life has been granted
This is the touching moment a pensioner broke down after he was told his wish for a fly-past to commemorate US airmen who saved his life had been granted.
The men avoided hitting a group of children including Tony Fields in a Sheffield park before later crashing.
Since then, Mr Foulds, now 82, has been tending to a memorial for the ten US airmen and told the BBC's Dan Walker that he wanted a flypast to commemorate the men's sacrifice.
Following a campaign, Mr Foulds was told today live on BBC Breakfast that the US Air Force will carry out a fly-past on the 75th anniversary of the crash, February 22 this year.
He was overcome with emotion after he was told that his wish had been granted and said: "That's everything isn't it, that's everything I wanted."
Presenter Mr Walker clutched his hand in support.
He was joined by the US ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, who thanked him for maintaining the memorial.
“I am so happy you did this because now, millions of people know about these 10 men, and all of the other men that died on that day too,” he said.
Just met an amazing man in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield. Tony Foulds was an 8-yr-old playing in the park when a US plane crashed in Feb 1944. He has diligently maintained the memorial ever since. He was planting new flowers. Almost 75 yrs of service. What a man. I’m in bits 😢👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/DpdDmSZ0F3
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker)
Mr Foulds was just eight when he witnessed the plane crash in Endcliffe Park in 1944.
He had been playing in the park and said that he felt partly responsible as the plane had crashed while trying to avoid him and other children.
The story came to light after BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker wrote about his encounter with Mr Foulds on Twitter.
Tony said he still feels guilty because if he hadn’t been in the park that day the plane could have landed safely. Instead the pilot avoided the children and crashed into the hill. “I owe them my life. Their sacrifice gave me everything. I love them as much as my own children” ❤️
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker)
He posted images of the memorial and of Mr Foulds to his social media account.
Since then, Mr Foulds has had hundreds of people offering their support.
What is happening? My phone is going crazy. Just been through my emails and messages. I’ve had over 600 offers of help or support for Tony so far 👊🏻
Not sure what to do with them all. They are coming from all over the world! I need to call Tony again. He won’t believe this 👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/2wEHjaUjhZ— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker)
A company has agreed to redo the memorial steps and tarmac the path to the area, while others pledged to visit the memorial for the anniversary.
Sheffield Council have also installed a new plaque.
On February 22, crews from RAF Lakenheath, home to the largest Air Force camp in the UK will take part in the fly-past.
US and UK aircraft including Typhoons will also take part.
