"Old soldiers never die; they simply fade away." The 100 anniversary of World War I is around the corner (it's here already in Europe). Don't let the sacrifices of these men and women be forgotten. Victor Chapman was the first US aviator to die in the war; he's vaguely remembered in Miami with a former army airbase. His squadron is honored in France with a monumental building, but his exploits are all but forgotten in his own country. Bring this hero back to life! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Chapman
http://friendsofchapmanfield.weebly.com
Victor Chapman was so eager to help the French push the Germans out of France during World War I that he volunteered within weeks of the war's declaration in 1914 to join the French Foreign Legion. America wouldn't enter this war until 1918. Chapman fought in the trenches then joined the famous Escadrille Americaine challenging the Germans in aerial dogfights (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Chapman . He was the first American airman to die in WWI. An airbase was named in his honor in Miami, Florida (http://friendsofchapmanfield.weebly.com )The 100th anniversary of his death will be June 23, 2016.
It is fitting that the US Postal Service will commemorate the US efforts in WWI with a series of postage stamps. It is most fitting that Victor Chapman, as the first US aviator to die in that war, be honored with a stamp. It would be even more fitting if the US and France produced a joint issue commemorating Chapman and the Escadrille Americaine. This squadron evolved into the Lafayette Escadrille and was especially renowned. The US Postal Service likes to oblige commemoration when it can, but it can be unwieldy; it need a push. Please help honor Victor Chapman.
