We had picked up a new B-17 at Hunter Field, Georgia and was in route to Bangor, Main when contacted and instructed to land at Trenton, New Jersey. Our final destination was the UK. Ice storms over the Atlantic had aircraft backed up and they couldn't accomadate us at Bangor. Being the Christmas Season our navigator and I headed for New York City. We walked by the famous Rockefeller Ice Rink. No one was on the ice and the overhead viewing area was empty. Our navigator suggested we go down and see if they rented skates. They did so we put them on and looked forward to the experience. I hadn't been on skates for some time but took a running jump on the ice, like a pro, my feet went up in the air and I slid a considerable distance on my back to the sound of applause from the gallery area, I looked up and a crowd had gathered. The next thing was thrilling, two beautiful young girls were helping me up. I looked around and there was a hole covey of girls on the ice. Their trainer came over to see if I was okay. The famous Rockettes were there to rehearse. The trainer invited us to remain on the ice and watch the rehearsal which we did. My lucky day
