Candy Bomber strikes again
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SACRAMENTO, CALIF.
Horst Bendzulla was a 10-year-old boy living in war-torn Berlin, Germany, in 1948 when he was one of the lucky children who caught a candy-laden parachute dropped by the "Candy Bomber."
Brother Bendzulla never met the pilot who dropped the candy at that time, nor did he know he was a life-long member of the Church. But 60 years later, just outside the gates of the Sacramento California Temple, he exchanged a hearty greeting, handshake and hug with that pilot, Col. Gail S. Halvorsen, USAF (Ret).
Brother Halvorsen was in Sacramento to re-enact his famous candy drop over the Mormon Center — a Church complex which includes the Sacramento California Temple, a multi-purpose building and recreation areas — and to give a keynote address at a multi-stake single adult conference Saturday, April 19. Brother Bendzulla, who now lives in nearby Auburn, heard about the visit and made sure he and his family were there to meet the post-World War II hero.
As American and British aircraft were dropping relief supplies to Germans cut off by a Soviet blockade, Brother Halvorsen, one of the pilots providing relief, started dropping the candy attached to small parachutes (originally made of handkerchiefs) to children as he was returning from each mission. The news of the candy drops spread quickly and Brother Bendzulla remembered hiking several miles to the place where the children would eagerly wait for treats from the sky.
Brother Bendzulla and his wife, Marcella, joined the Church in Germany and immigrated to America. By trade, he had been trained as an artist and worked throughout Europe restoring paintings, antiquing, and specializing in gold-leafing and marbleizing. He continued his craft in Southern California and eventually moved to Northern California before retiring to the Auburn area.
"Painting is still my hobby," noted Brother Bendzulla who loves to paint landscapes and ocean scenes. After visiting Pearl Harbor, he was inspired to paint the USS Arizona several times and, since then, has done paintings of many other military ships.
"About three months ago, I came across an old black and white photo of the Candy Bomber's plane dropping candy parachutes to Berlin children," he said. "I felt an overwhelming desire to paint it. I started the painting and didn't like it and started over again. I didn't know at that time that Brother Halvorsen and I would have a chance to meet. I planned to cherish the painting for myself and hang it in my home, but when I heard he was coming, I immediately knew I had to give the painting to him."
"Brother Halvorsen's recent visit to Sacramento and first-time meeting with Brother Bendzulla garnered unprecedented media attention," noted S. Dennis Holland, multi-stake director of public affairs. "Five of the six news stations in the region covered the story, as well as several local newspapers."
Melanie Kim, a reporter for CBS 13 and World War II buff, was thrilled to get the assignment. She and her cameraman spent more than three hours videotaping and interviewing Brother Halvorsen. "I've flown in a B-17 and an F-15 fighter and it was such a privilege to meet Col. Halvorsen," noted Ms. Kim.
Nearly 40 Primary children from the Citrus Heights California Stake, along with conference organizer Deanne Ellsworth of the Fair Oaks California Stake and several single adults assembled 250 candy parachutes for Brother Halvorsen's latest re-enactment.
"It took three passes (in a small plane) over Mormon Center for Brother Halvorsen to get all the candy dropped to conference attendees picnicking below," said Sister Ellsworth.
A group of Primary children from the Sacramento California North Stake had just finished a tour of the temple grounds and were also having a picnic when the candy parachutes began to drop. Bishop Wayne Keele said, "It was such an added bonus for our Primary to take part and catch the parachutes — and to learn about the Candy Bomber and that he is a member of the Church."
Brother Bendzulla, his wife, daughter, son-in-law and several of his grandchildren also grabbed for the falling parachutes. Brother Bendzulla said, "It brought back many memories and tears to my eyes to see the parachutes coming down again."
