.: NOBLE CAUSE FOUNDATION :.
Our way of life, our form of government, did not just
happen. It was conceived out of struggle. Our patriots paid dearly
for their convictions. Our form of government is “no free lunch.”
Sacrifices have been made from our beginnings to the present day.
War and threats of war require great sacrifices, and constant
vigilance must prevail if we wish to perpetuate what we treasure.
We must preserve
our legacy both to honor those who
have made the supreme sacrifice on our behalf
as well as to guard it for ourselves and
posterity. It must not be taken for granted.
To pay tribute to the veterans, our heroes, for
the tremendous sacrifices that they made and
for which they will never be forgotten.
Our foundation promotes patriotic events, entertains
veterans and welcomes our heroes
back home. Our main project is to build a
memorial wall to honor the more that 3000 US
Aviators who lost their lives over the Ploesti
Oil Fields in Romania in WWII. To be killed, wounded, or missing
in war is not the worst. But to be forgotten, that is the worst.
The Noble Cause Foundation will
continue to remember and honor the service and
sacrifice of our Greatest Generation for all the
freedoms we enjoy today.
The Noble Cause Foundation originated
because of a desire to honor our veterans. It began as a seed
that was planted over fifteen years ago when we started to
collect and restore military vehicles for reenactment of WWII
battles. As time went on we found a need to use these vehicles
for carrying our veterans to parades, displays and patriotic
events. Before long we began to receive numerous requests from
both civic and veterans organizations for the use of these
vehicles. This endeavor made it possible to increase the
exposure of our veterans to the public thus creating more
opportunities for them to be recognized for their service and
for the sacrifices they made for our freedom. We need more
people and more funds to work with us on this. We also want to
involve the younger generations so they will appreciate what has
been done for them. We want to organize trips so that they can
be a part of this and know first hand what happened and where so
that history will come alive and they will someday carry the
torch.
There was one special battle for the most strategic target
during WWII, the oil refineries of Ploesti, Romania.
That was one of the costliest and bloodiest in WWII history. I
feel especially personal about this battle because I was, as a
small boy, an eyewitness and survivor of the Ploesti bombing
raids. I was with my father when he pulled some American crewmen
out of a downed B-24 Liberator. While I spent time hiding in the
woods with the soldiers, they inspired me and that is when the
love story started between the United States and me. I had an
undying passion to get to this country which I ultimately did
when I escaped from the Romanian communists in 1970. I made up
my mind that I would never miss a chance to be here for the
veterans because they are the embodiment of what our country
stands for and they are the protectors of our freedom. They and
their families suffered and died for us. Everything about this
foundation will be for these veterans.
I have met the veterans who were Prisoners of War in Romania and
have heard their stories. Some even knew my dad. Our foundation
would like to share the story of this battle and to honor those
brave American soldiers who sacrificed their lives for what they
have believed in "Freedom".
Cornell Iliescu, Founder
THE NOBLE CAUSE FOUNDATION
Orange County, California
'OPERATION TIDAL WAVE'
The Ploesti Mission Memorial
The Noble Cause Foundation will be creating a memorial
commemorating those brave airmen who gave their lives over the
skies of Europe during WWII.
