The Sky Above Us Read online

  Many of the real commanders, pilots, and officers of the 357th are named in this novel: Edwin Chickering, Henry Spicer, Donald Graham, Leonard “Kit” Carson, Clarence “Bud” Anderson, Tommy Hayes, Don Bochkay, Chuck Yeager (yes, the man who broke the sound barrier in 1947!), Jim Browning, Bob Becker, William O’Brien, Glen Davis, Jack Warren, John Barker, Alfred Craven, and Leo Miller. All other characters in the 357th are purely fictional.

  There was indeed an American Red Cross Aeroclub at Leiston Army Airfield, run by Virginia Rado. All Red Cross personnel in this story are fictional, as are the details of the Aeroclub. But the setup and activities run by Violet and Kitty are typical.

  During World War II, seven thousand Americans worked overseas for the Red Cross, operating service clubs, clubmobiles, Aeroclubs, Donut Dugouts, and many other services. Twenty-nine ARC workers lost their lives while serving. Their work aiding servicemen and providing those touches of home—including 1.6 billion donuts served!—were greatly appreciated.

  Two “too coincidental to be real but really happened” moments occurred in the story. The 357th Fighter Group and the US 2nd Ranger Battalion actually sailed to Britain on the same ship on the same day. When I found out, I actually squealed. Also, the Luftwaffe did fly a “nuisance” air raid to Leiston on the night of June 7–8, 1944, causing minor damage and injuries in the enlisted men’s mess.

  I hope you enjoyed reading about D-day from the air. Please join Clay Paxton on the ground in The Land Beneath Us (2020) and Wyatt at sea in the first book in the series, The Sea Before Us, if you missed it.

  If you’re on Pinterest, please visit my board for The Sky Above Us (www.pinterest.com/sarahsundin) to see pictures of England, Normandy, Red Cross workers, P-51s, fighter pilots, and other inspiration for the story.

  Acknowledgments

  In writing my eleventh acknowledgments page, I run the risk of repetition. But can gratitude ever be repetitive? A writing career is a peculiar thing, and I could not write stories without the support of my family and friends. Not only do they bear with very odd writer quirks, but they also drag me out into the sun to interact with real human beings. And without sunshine and real human beings, there can be no stories.

  And without my publishing team, there would be no published stories. My agent, editors, cover designers, publicists, marketing directors—I appreciate your talents and am so thankful for your support.

  In this novel, several character names were “won” by readers in the pre-order campaign for When Tides Turn. Vicki Caruana contributed “Kitty Kelly” for her grandmother who was a volunteer during the war. I thought it a fitting name for Violet’s perky Red Cross friend.

  Joanna Hiemstra contributed “Theo” for her grandfather who emigrated from the Netherlands and “Christopher” for her cousin who recently passed away. She also contributed “Sylvia” for her storytelling grandmother who was a young girl during the war.

  “Nick Westin”—reader friend Rachel DeFelice suggested this name several years ago. The reason she’s naming a character is private (snicker). I’m so glad I found a character worthy of the name—and I admit Nick almost stole the show.

  Also, thank you to writer friend Rachel McDaniel for telling me about her grandfather, Lt. Dale Karger, who was the youngest ace pilot in the 357th Fighter Group, although after the time frame of this novel. It was an honor to see video footage of him relaying how he shot down a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter!

  Small-world coincidences have been a lifelong occurrence for me, so I was thrilled when my friend Pauline Trummel casually mentioned her mom’s cousin was an ace pilot in the 357th. She sent me scans of newspaper clippings and photos. Capt. Bob Becker was one of the original pilots, as my fictional Adler was, so of course I had to work his name in.

  Extra thanks to my husband for brainstorming a pithy Texas saying with me.

  And thank you to my readers! I appreciate your messages, prayers, and encouragement. Please visit me at www.sarahsundin.com to leave a message, sign up for my email newsletter, read about the history behind the story, and see pictures from my trip to England and Normandy. I hope to hear from you.

  Discussion Questions

  The aerial component of D-day is often overlooked, yet Allied airmen flew almost fifteen thousand sorties on that day. Have you heard of this aspect of D-day or of the preinvasion missions? What parts interested you?

  The American Red Cross played a crucial role in keeping up morale for men and women in the military during World War II, both stateside and overseas. Could you see yourself working or volunteering? What areas interested you?

  As a second-born child with a naturally ambitious personality, Adler has always striven to be first, both with his brother and as a pilot. In what ways is his ambition good? In what ways is it bad? How does he learn to temper this?

  Violet struggles with the pain of an unfulfilled dream. Have you ever had an unfulfilled dream? How did you deal with it?

  At the beginning of the story, Adler’s philosophy is “If it hurts, don’t think about it.” Can this be a good self-protective mechanism? When does it go too far? What do you think about his later realization that “the more he allowed himself to feel pain, the less it hurt”?

  In what ways is Kitty Kelly a good friend to Violet? What traits do you like in your friends? Do you gravitate toward friends who are similar to you or who are different?

  Nick Westin never gives up on Adler, even at his worst. Did Nick’s example give you any ideas about how to deal with hurting or unbelieving friends? What approach do you like to take?

  Violet suffers from homesickness and tries hard to overcome it. Are you a homebody? Or do you long for adventure? Or somewhere in the middle?

  Adler clings to the scrap from Oralee’s dress. How did this affect your opinion of him? What do you think of his decision to give it up for Violet—and of Violet’s response? When is it good to hold on to our memories and mementos, and when is it better to let them go?

  Likewise, Violet clings to Elsa the Elephant. What do you think of Violet’s missionary dream? What’s the difference between being called by God and being asked to be willing? Do you think she made the best decision at the end?

  “The last shall be first, and the first last” (Matt. 20:16) is the theme verse for this story. How does this play out in Adler’s story? In Violet’s? Does this concept inspire you—or make you squirm?

  Violet wrestles with self-righteousness, a quiet sin common in “good Christians,” a sin we’re often quick to spot in others but not in ourselves. How does this manifest in her thoughts and actions? How does she change? Did any of her revelations strike you?

  When Adler learns of the full consequences of his sins, he goes through a second round of mourning, regret, and re pentance.In what ways is this right and good? When does it become unhealthy?

  Adler and Violet share a love of Westerns. What hobbies or interests do you share with your loved ones? How do they make your relationships more fun?

  Adler sees parallels between his life and the biblical story of Jacob. What similarities do you see? Are there any biblical characters you’re particularly drawn to? What is it about their stories that you relate to or draw strength from?

  If you read The Sea Before Us, what did you think about the continuation of Wyatt’s story? From what you’ve heard about Clay Paxton, what might you expect in The Land Beneath Us (Clay’s story, coming in 2020)?

  Sarah Sundin is the bestselling author of The Sea Before Us, as well as the WAVES OF FREEDOM, the WINGS OF THE NIGHTINGALE, and the WINGS OF GLORY series. Her novels When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years,” and Through Waters Deep was a finalist for the 2016 Carol Award and won the INSPY Award. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

  A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfath
er served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the US Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force. Sarah and her husband have three adult children—including a sailor in the US Navy! Sarah lives in northern California, and she enjoys speaking for church, community, and writers’ groups. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

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