Pink Paper Planes

Kansas Farm Lands 1920’s

The little boy was sprawled out on the large rug in front of the family radio. He had a little coloring pad and some crayons next to him. As he listened to the morning radio tunes he would doodle little airplanes on the pad and hum along with the song. He was happy and content; life was just how it should be for a 5-year-old little boy.

“Will! Will you come in the kitchen please?”

Will stood up and shuffled into the kitchen. It was your typical 1920’s farmhouse kitchen, checkered floor tiles, white cabinets, and the new sea foam green appliances. The windows were covered in quaint sheer curtains that Will’s momma had sewn. The little boy was the spitting image of his mother, strawberry blonde hair that had a mind of its own and chestnut brown eyes.

Sweet aromas were dusting the air and making Will’s mouth salivate and his stomach growl.

“Have you feed the chickens this morning?”

Will shook his head to say no.

“Are you hungry?”

Will shook his head back and forth in a yes motion.

“Well I will bet that just like you those chickens are hungry too, so you best go feed them or you wont be getting breakfast your self!”

Will flashed his momma a sweet smile, he was missing his two front teeth and everyone who saw him smile couldn’t help, but smile right back at him. He was an adorable little boy! Will laughed and said with a little whistle “Okay Momma!”

He hugged her legs and then ran out the back screen door. As soon as he was out the door he had his arms out like wings and was zig zagging back and forth across the field like an airplane.

Will’s momma smiled and chuckled to herself as she watched her son run toward the barn where the chickens were. She was so blessed to have him as her son and thanked the Lord daily. She was so wrapped up in that moment that she was startled when she felt strong arms wrap there way around her and hot kissed on the back of her neck.

“Good Morning Mrs. Champion, I do believe you have raised one of the finest boys right there.”

“Why yes Mr. Champion, I believe WE have done well with him thus far. I just wish we could give him more. You know his birthday is comin’ up and I know that money is tight, but if you would be willing, Daniel to do with a few more patches on your shirts I can make him a little cape and some flyin’ goggles.”

“Sarah, my sweet Sarah. This is why I demanded that you marry me, you are always thinking of others. I would wear hundreds of patches on my shirts for that boy.”

Daniel and Sarah exchanged a tender kiss while watching their son feed the chickens. Daniel began to hum a song and pulled Sarah close to him and they danced. They danced shoeless, in the rain, in the barn, on the patio or often in the kitchen. It never mattered where they danced they just enjoyed dancing together.

“Dear, you make him those and I will carve him some pilot wings to pin on to his shirt.”

“You are such a sweet heart, that must be why I married you and am so in love with you.”

“Everything I do is for you and Will, you are both my moon and stars.”

Will is now 10 turning 11

“Momma! I have finished all of my chores for the day, can I go out and play with Chase and the fellows?”

Will’s mother was heavily pregnant with Will’s soon to be third baby brother or sister and was bustling around the kitchen.

“Can you make sure your siblings are taken care of before you head out? I need to finish this pie for your father and I want to make sure they are okay.”

“Yes Momma! I’ll see to it.”

“Thank you dear, your such a good son.”
Will blushed bright red and sheepishly smiled as his momma and then walked out of the kitchen to the living room to tend to his siblings.

“Hi Abigail, do you need anything? Momma wanted me to check on you and Tucker.”

Abigail was just turned six and was guaranteed to break many hearts when she grew up. She had the same Champion strawberry blonde hair that Will had except her hair hung in tiny little ringlets and she had golden freckles that were sprinkled across her checks.

Will’s friends often said how cute she was and that they would love to take her out when she was older. Will was extremely protective of Abigail so when ever one of his mates brought her up he was quick to give a discouraging look that would make all of them bite their tongues and wish they hadn’t said anything at all. He loved his baby sister dearly and wanted to make sure no one hurt her. But he knew in his heart that if she were going to fall in love and get married he would only let one of his friends be the man.

“Hi Will, no Tucker and I are swell, were having a tea party, do you want to join us?”
Abigail was quick to put on her puppy dog face and will was such as sucker for that face, that he just couldn’t bring himself to say no. And his poor little brother looked desperate to have someone one else to take the worst of the girly tea party.

“Oh alright Abigail, but just for a few minuets.”
The little girls face lit up like the fourth of July! She squealed with utter delight and set to pouring him some lemonade.

Will’s mother had stood in the kitchen doorframe watching the whole event unfold. She smiled and thought to herself how wonderful her children were. The kitchen door closed shut and in walked Daniel, he was sweating and was obviously very tired from working on the farm that morning, but he still had a big grin on his face.

“What are you standing about for woman? You’re nearly nine months pregnant! Here sit down this very instant!” Daniel pulled out a chair and escorted his wife to the chair and then leaned down and kissed her tummy and then made slow kisses all the way up to her lips where he lingered dangerously too long.

“And how are you this afternoon Mrs. Champion?”

“I am much better now that you are home to enjoy lunch with me, that I need to get started on.” Sarah leaned forward to lift herself from the chair but was pushed back down gently but forcefully by Daniel.

“Now you just sit there and I will make us some lunch. And as I do that I have some wonderful news to share with you!”

“My my Mr. Champion I do believe you are far too kind to me. I see where Will gets’s it. Now what is this news you have?”

“Well as I am sure your aware tomorrow is Will’s birthday and you and I know how in love he is with planes and the sky. So I was able to trade some of my best strawberries and convince Bill Johnson to take him up with him the next time he goes crop dusting in his plane.”

“Daniel you are one of a kind! Will will be so thrilled. I wish I had more time to do something real special for him, but with the new baby coming and having to look after his siblings I just haven’t had much time and we just don’t have a whole lot of spare change.”

“All you need to do is bake a cake, speaking of..what is the delish smell?”

“That would be your apple pie I was baking, I need to take it out of the oven right about now, so let me get that.” Sarah was once again trying to stand up to get the apple pie when Daniel once again prevented her.

“Now I told you to sit, so sit!”

“But Daniel!”

“No, buts, just do as your told you stubborn woman, I will take care of it.” He kissed her forehead and took the pie out and set it on the window seal to cool.

“Your still the same man I married 13 years ago, Stubborn, sweet and your wonderful qualities have been passed on to your kin.”

“Our children are just like their darling mother whom I adore dearly!”

*2 in the Morning*

Will had only been asleep for a few hours when he was being shaken awake.

“William, WILL! Wake up, quickly now!”

Will groggily opened his eyes and saw in the dim light that his father was standing over him casting eerie shadows on the wall.

“Will, you mom is having her baby right now, I need you to run to Doctor Erickson’s and bring him here. Can you do that?”

Will was now wide awake and aware of the situation, he nodded his head and was quick to throw on a shirt and lace up his shoes. Racing down the stairs he was out the kitchen door in the less than two minuets.

The only light available was the full moon and the stars, but Will knew the lay of the land like the back of his hand and was able to maneuver himself with great ease. His little feet crossed field after field as fast as he could run. Fatigue was making itself known unto Will but he would not falter, he was determined to reach Doctor Erickson as quickly as he could for his momma!

Just up ahead Will could see the vast white porch that wrapped around the entire house. Doctor Erickson was a fine physician with a degree from Harvard and could have easily set up his practice in a large city that would pay him triple the amount that the farmers in the area could, but he choose to live here in the dry plains of Kansas.

Will ran up the porch steps and ran to the door and started beating his little fist very loudly against that screen door. Soon a yellow porch light was lit and a haggard looking Doctor Erickson appeared.

“William Champion, it is 2:30 in the morning, you nearly gave the misses and me a heart attack! What is it my boy?”

Short of breath Will said with great labored breaths “it’s my momma, she’s havin’ here baby right now sir!”

“Great Scotts! She’s not supposed to be due for three more weeks! Quick William, run to my study and grab my black medical bag, it will have a white cross on the side and meet me back here. I need to go change then we will drive straight there.”

Nodding his head Will ran to the study and found the black bag right on top of the large oak desk, he then returned to the kitchen and out the door to the truck to wait for Doctor Erickson.

The doctor came running out to the truck and they both jumped in and lumbered their way down the road to Champions home. Doctor Erickson ran in and Will followed slowly. The little boy was worn and longed for his bed. But he would not get to his bed for a while. His younger brother was awake and Will knew that he needed to get him back to sleep.

Tucker ran over to Will and hugged his legs. Tears were rolling down his chubby little three-year-old face. He was scared and not sure what was happening. Will smiled and lifted his younger brother up and carried him into the living room and then had him sit on his lap. He whipped away the tears and cradled the little boy and rocked him back and forth while rubbing his back just as he had scene his momma do. Soon Tucker was fast asleep and Will laid him back down on the couch, covered him with a blanket and snuck into the kitchen without waking him.

The clock in the kitchen showed 4:30. Will sighed he knew that it was the time his father would get up and go milk the cows and do a lot of farm work. But his father was busy and so Will decided that he would do it. The little boy silently opened the door, and crept down the porch steps and was cautious to avoid the last step because it creaked whenever someone stepped on it. He trudged out to the barn and began his the task of milking the 25 cows and the rest of the chores that needed to be done. He did with a smile on his face even though he was exhausted, because it would be something his dad would do.


Will’s new baby sister was born the morning. Her name was Claire Rene and she shared the same birthday was Will.

While everyone cooed and awed over the new baby, Will was making dinner for him and his siblings, he almost forgot it was his birthday until his little sister tugged on his shirt for his attention.

“What can I do for you Abigil?” Will asked as he lifted her up and set her on top of the counter.

“I made this for you Willy!” She held out a card that had fingerprints of grape jelly all over.

“Oh you have huh?” And what is this?”

She smiled and giggled saying “you needs to reads it silly!”

“Alright, lets see.. It looks like you drew an airplane on the front and might I add in my favorite color! Pink!”

Abigail kicked her legs and clapped her hands and shouted “That’s my favorite color too!”

Will tickled her and laughed. “Now let’s see what’s inside!”

Scribbled in her handwriting was the simple message ‘ Happy Birfday to my favorihte broder in the hole world!’

Will closed the card and smiled a great big grin at his sister and hugged her dearly. Thank you Abigail, you don’t know what this means to me!”

It was at that moment that Will vowed that he would allow nothing to hurt his little sister, man, love, object, nothing!

Later on when everyone was asleep and the excitement had died down Will snuck into his parents room and looked into the little bassinet where his baby sister lay. Tiny blue eyes stared back at him. He smiled and lifted Claire out of the bassinet, cradled her tightly and began to rock back and forth. He whispered to her a tender message. “You area a very special little girl, you have been born to wonderful parents and a great family, but you and I have a special bond cause we share the same birthday. And I want you to know that I’m okay with that, we can share it. It’s an awesome day. I love you Claire.” He continued to cradle her for a little while and soon she was fast asleep in his arms.

What Will didn’t know was that his mum had been awake and had heard and watched the entire thing. Silent tears streamed down her checks and she said a silent prayer of gratitude to the Lord for the wonderful son was given.


William is leaving home

The last things to put on were his stark black shiny shoes. William laced them up and then stood up and looked at himself in the mirror. The navy blue uniform was pressed and hung well on him, he smiled and grabbed his sack and headed downstairs.

The entire family was waiting for him in the kitchen; they were going to be driving him to the greyhound station. He would meet Chase Nielson, his childhood best friend there and they would head out to do their country proud. Somewhere between 12 and 13 Will was dropped and William was instigated. He felt it made him appear more mature.

His mother was quick to rush up to him as soon as he entered the same kitchen he had grown up in.

“My little Will, I mean William is all grown up. You are going to be the best pilot the Air Force has ever scene.” She hugged William tight and finally let go, when she knew they needed to be going.

William threw has pack over his shoulder and led the way out to the truck. Tucker and Claire climbed in the bed of the truck along with William’s pack. The rest climbed in the cab. The ride was quiet, no one spoke, they just bounced down the dirt road into town.

There were a couple of families at the bus station all wishing their sons off to War. The threat of the U.S. joining in the World War was almost inevitable. Germany was becoming a missive threat to almost all of Europe and Japan was now joining in. The U.S. was being frowned upon from other countries and was scene as a chicken. All they were doing to help the war effort was send supplies, but that was soon to change.

The family gave William hugs and kisses and Chase came over to say goodbye to the family as well but mainly Abigail. Abigail had blossomed in to one of the most stunning girls. Her long hair blew gently in the soft breeze and her eyes twinkled in the afternoon sun. Her lips were cherry red and soft and inviting. She and Chase had become a thing over the summer and she was devastated to watch her love go off to war.

Chase held her tight and whispered a promise in her ear. ‘I will never stop fighting for your heart, I will send you letters always and when I get back I will marry you. That is my promise Abigail Sarah Champion.” He slid on to her ring finger and piece of string and looked her in the eyes and then held up his ring finger, which had the exact same string around it. “This is our promise, it won’t leave my finger ever!”

Abigail was on the verge of tears, but didn’t want to cry and let that be the last memory that Chase had of her, so she stood up on her toes and kissed him. It was a short kiss, but one full of desire, passion, and true love. “I know that you will be back Chase, I will wait everyday until that time.”

William watched as his sister and Chase exchanged their goodbyes, he remembered his promise to her when he was 11 and he swore to himself that he would keep that promise no matter what.

Chase waved to everyone and climbed on to the bus. William had said his goodbyes and turned to climb onto the bus as well when we felt the familiar tug on his shirt. He looked down and saw Abigail standing by him.

“I want you to have this, may God watch over you and my Chase.” She slipped a tiny piece of fabric into his hands and ran off to stand by Momma and wave to all the men on the bus.

William boarded the bus and sat down next Chase. He glanced down as the piece of fabric his sister had given him. She had crossed stitched a little pink airplane and had stitched a scripture on to it. Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” He carefully folded the fabric and tucked it deep into his suit, close to his heart.


Chase and William trained and become Pilots for the United States Air Force; they were then stationed at Pearl Harbor in April 1941. They enjoyed their peaceful time on the Island. Chase was diligent in writing Abigail and William often wrote to his family. They were there on the Island on December 7th 1941. They watched as the Japanese bombed and destroyed the base. Many of their friends were killed and wounded. They were able to take down 3 Japanese planes and were awarded many metals for their bravery.

Both men were asked to report to Washington D.C. Neither knew why they were flying there, but they were told to tell no one. Upon arrival they met Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle. They were asked to go on what was then called a suicidal mission. Both men agreed and they were then told they had to remain absolutely silent about the mission, it was top secret and of great importance to the American People.

William and Chase flew together and were able to train and be ready for the raid against the Japanese. They were flying large bombers on an aircraft carrier. There were 16 bombers in total; the plan called for them to hit military targets in Japan, and land in China. William and Chase were assigned to city of Nagoya.

Due to circumstance out of their control the bombers had to take off from the carrier far sooner then they had planned for. Many of the bombers crashed in China all but two. Those two went missing and included William and Chase. They had landed in enemy territory and were captured and named prisoners of war.

Then men were beaten and tortured on a daily basis. William often stood in front of Chase to take more of the blows, because he had promised his sister. On 28 August 1942, pilot Hallmark, pilot Champion and gunner Spatz were given a fake trial by the Japanese, although the airmen were never told the charges against them. On 14 October 1942, these three crewmen were advised that they were to be executed the next day the three were taken by truck to Public Cemetery Number 1 outside of Shanghai and executed by a firing squad. Before William was led off he gave Chase the little piece of fabric that his sister had made him and told him to keep it next to his heart. He told Chase to stay strong and live because his sister was waiting for him. The two men exchanged a hug and said a silent goodbye.

Of the remaining men one died of malnutrition, and the other four were tortured, starved and placed in solitary confinement until released in 1945.

Jacob and Abigail were married in the summer of 1946. Every October they would walk out to the middle of the cornfield and would light pink paper airplanes and throw them in remembrance of William.

Just a side note, William was an actual pilot and he actually died like in the story as well as Chase being a prisoner of war.