The Story Behind “The Last Mission” Limited Print with Personal Diary (4 Years of research)
This print was done in memory of my best friend “My Dad” (Merrel L. Duncan).
My dad grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota (Dundee, MN) with a total of 5 brothers and 5 sisters. His father died when he was very young, so one of his older sisters (Leone) helped take care of dad with his mother.
Mother Duncan always told dad that within every cloud there is a silver lining. So when dad was climbing to 10,000 feet and breaking through the clouds he saw what his mother had said. There was the sun shining through the clouds with the silver lining.
That is why this print is shown with the B-17’s breaking through the clouds and the sun shining through, showing their silver lining. As once was stated “it looks so peaceful before the horrible battles they are about to encounter”. Finding Peace before the storm with their Almighty Maker “GOD”.
Dad flew 30 Missions of heavy bombardment as group lead out of Bassenbourne Air Base, in England into the ETO (European Theater of Operations). On one of the 30 missions as group lead dads B-17 came limping back home to England with 172 bullet holes in the plane and 2 engines knocked out. Dad always said “What a magnificent plane the B-17 was”.
This Limited Edition print with diary is the one last mission I am flying with my dad. This is a tribute to my dad and all the men and women that have served or currently are serving our country. Done in his memory, for us never to forget, by his son, Mike.
**Frame is not included**
