Dunwell Report

Nearly 70 years ago, thousands of U.S. Army Air Force airmen converged on four Montana communities to train in flying the B-17 "Flying Fortress" bomber.

     The arrival of all those trainees had a profound impact on the communities of Great Falls, Glasgow, Lewistown and Cut Bank.
     Townsfolk often went out of their way to make the GI's welcome.
     Montana Historical Society Community Preservation Coordinator Kate Hampton says sometimes the bonding went beyond friendship.
     “And another good indicator of how well they were accepted in Cut Bank over the about two years of training, there were 25 marriages between soldiers and the local ladies, so I think they were very well welcomed.”
     You can watch the entire interview when the Dunwell Report airs Sunday night at 10 with encore broadcasts Wednesday morning at 11 on CW-10 and Saturday afternoon at 5 on Beartooth NBC.

Story by Don Dunwell, Beartooth NBC.
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