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Charles Bartley
Bradley, California

While watching a C-SPAN interview in the summer of 1999, I couldn't have known how it would affect our lives. Congressman Sam Johnson, the interviewee, was an Air Force Thunderbird pilot in 1957. When the Congressman mentioned he was a Thunderbird, my ears perked up. Was he a member at the same time as my brother John? My records said, "Yes."

My brother John was killed during maneuvers over the Mediterranean Sea in 1958 after completing his "Thunderbird" tour.

For unknown reasons, John's wife lost contact with our family. A personal endeavor of mine, I had to find them. I had to know how John's three daughters survived their loss and how they faired in life. Congressman Sam Johnson, through C-SPAN interviewing, provided the springboard link after 41 years of searching. (John's wife remarried, thus her name was unknown.) A conversation with Congressman Johnson and his wife Shirley provided a telephone number, 3 years old but it proved to be correct. Contact was made.

A heartfelt reunion occurred in August 1999. Wonderful is an inadequate word to describe the emotions and feelings of the meeting.

This reunion prompted a much larger one. All family members, relatives, and associates were invited.

The Thunderbirds home base, Las Vegas, was chosen as the place for the August 2000 reunion. Ninety-five attended in John's honor. Team members, Congressman Johnson, Astronaut Bill Pogue and Doug Brenner's widow Phyllis graced the attendance.

A perchance happening - perhaps - but without C-SPAN it may never have occurred.


ONLINE PRESS KIT >>

Contest Winners
Read the essays of the 25 contest winners.

Press Releases
Sep. 28, 2005 -- Winners Named in C-SPAN Viewer Essay Contest Marking 25 Years of Viewer Calls

Sep. 14, 2005 -- C-SPAN Marks 25 Years Of Viewer Calls-Ins With LIVE, 25-Hour Call-In Program On Oct. 7

Aug. 17, 2005 -- C-SPAN Marks 25 Years Of Viewer Calls-Ins With LIVE, 25-Hour Call-In Program On Oct. 7

News Articles
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) - Oct. 10, 2005
Talkers Magazine - Cover Story Oct. 2005
Jewish World Review - Columnist David Brooks, Nov. 1999

History of Call-Ins on Radio and Television
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Evolution of Call-Ins on C-SPAN
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More about C-SPAN's 25 Years of Viewer Call-Ins
Background information on C-SPAN call-in programs

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