Kromě zde prezentovaného torza všech veřejných akcí, jichž se na naše letce po listopadu 1989 sesypalo nekonečné množství, samozřejmě průběžně probíhaly i již zmiňované veřejné besedy, kde se sešlo od několika desítek lidí až po stovky po celé republice. Ať byl sál však jakkoli kapacitně velký, vždy bylo plno do posledního místečka. Toto je snímek ze samostatné besedy plk. Irvinga v roce 1994. He was closely watched by his wife Blanka, she was worried because her husband was seriously ill by that time...

Kromě zde prezentovaného torza všech veřejných akcí, jichž se na naše letce po listopadu 1989 sesypalo nekonečné množství, samozřejmě průběžně probíhaly i již zmiňované veřejné besedy, kde se sešlo od několika desítek lidí až po stovky po celé republice. Ať byl sál však jakkoli kapacitně velký, vždy bylo plno do posledního místečka. Toto je snímek ze samostatné besedy plk. Irvinga v roce 1994. He was closely watched by his wife Blanka, she was worried because her husband was seriously ill by that time, and his daughter Iveta. At that time, she would book a videographer for these debates so that there would be recording of her father's war and post-war stories. Thanks to his idea, there are many hours of carefully preserved videos.

After the debates, which were certainly exhausting for colonel Irving, a book signing and chatting with guests followed, and this became a nice tradition. Every time, new contacts were made or new facts and unexpected links surfaced. Often, direct descendants of Jan's fellow fighters arrived to the meeting and asked about their life, addresses, contact information, photograps etc.

One of many airmen's balls in the Lucerna cultural centre. The tradition started soon after the Velvet Revolution and it is being continued, God be thanked, until these days. Here, Jan Irving took a photograph in front of the ball room. Shown are his good friend from the 311th, colonel Stanislav Mikula with his wife and son Vlastislav, and Iveta Irvingová.

And airmen's ball in the Lucerna cultural centre (1998 or 1999) again, after general Irving's death, though. However, Iveta tried hard not to keep her mother mourning for too long so whenever an occasion arose, she would involve her in airmen's social events so that she would not dwell on sad thoughts. Also shown brigadier general Zdeněk Škarvada who is already deceased as well, his wife, and Blanka Irvingová. On the right, shown from side, Alois Konopický..

The Irving family grave at the Olšany cemetery in Prague. After her mom's death, Iveta got the plaques with names of family members made so that everyone could easily undestand the family connections. And as she says with "dry English wit", "The last spot behind the glass is waiting only for me. I don't know though, how I will get myself there when nobody from the close family is still alive..."

Eva Pacovská with her mother Marta Škramovská, Prague, 1934

Eva Pacovská, 1937, historical photography

Jan Škramovský and Marta Škramovská, nee Gross; wedding of Eva Pacovská's parents, Prague, 1930

Eva Pacovská, Praha, cca 1949, historical photography

Eva Pacovská, Praha, cca 1955, historical photography

Jan Škramovský, father of Eva Pacovska, around 1940

Family farm Pertoltice, before World War II

Family farm Pertoltice, February 17, 1933

Jan Škramovský, father of Eva Pacovská, Prague, around 1960

Radomír Burša / Ostrava / June 2019

Radomír Burša / Ostrava / June 2019

Pavel Císovský in Ostrava in June 2019

Pavel Císovský in Ostrava in June 2019

Eduard Ovčáček / Ostrava / June 2019

Eduard Ovčáček / Ostrava / June 2019

Jan Irving's parents - mother Marie and stepfather Josef, photographed in 1970

Two cows and a flock of poultry were an important part of the life of a broad family...

Two cows and a flock of poultry were an important part of the life of a broad family...

The family cared for other five children - orphans from the neighbourhood...