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Latest News Hello everyone, We are quickly approaching our 3rd annual Ride 911 which will be hosted on September 9th 2007. Just to update you on the latest events. Last year the proceeds from the ride enabled us to donate 3000.00 dollars for a college scholarship at Metropolitan State College of Denver. This is one of top aviation programs in the nation and produces many eager and energetic young men and women to join the ever growing and changing aviation industry. When Ride 911 donated the funds we requested the college to have those applying for the scholarship to write an essay on how September 11th 2001 affected their lives in aviation. The aviation department chair has narrowed it down to five very worthy candidates. We are in the process of choosing the winner, which will be disclosed in the near future and hopefully attend this year’s ride.
Ride 911 also donated 1000.00 dollars to help fund the Flight Crew Memorial being built in Dallas Texas near the American airlines headquarters. Paul, Melissa, and I flew down to Dallas to present the check in person at the ground breaking ceremony. Unfortunately the weather had other plans and as the event got kicked off the winds and rain came down in force scattering everyone for cover. We found our refuge in a local fire truck with a three firefighters. Melissa was enjoying her time with some of Dallas’ finest and truth be known she is the only reason they let us seek shelter in their fire truck. This year was very special for me and thanks in part to Ride 911 an Iraq Veteran who lost both legs and one arm was able to join me on a very coveted trip to IWO JIMA. I met Hilario Bermanis II (HB) on one of my flight to Hawaii. HB lives on the island of Pohnpei and twice a year has to fly to Hawaii for his check ups. HB is a twenty five year old Air Borne Ranger who was serving in Iraq. In 2003 HB and his unit was guarding a weapons depot in Baghdad when they came under attack from a group of insurgents. The fire fight was pretty bad and things got worse when two grenades were fired into the area HB and his men were defending. HB used his body as a shield to cover his men from the blast of the grenades and subsequently lost his legs, arm and almost his life. HB’s unit suffered one fatality and several injures, but had it not been for HB heroic efforts there would have been several more fatalities. HB was made a U.S. Citizen by George and Laura Bush at his bedside at Walter Reed Medical Center. While he was recovering from his injuries. HB also received the Metal of Valor and the Purple Heart. After spending several hours talking with HB on two different trips I invited him to join me and Military Historic Tours on the annual IWO JIMA trip. He eagerly excepted the invitation and was joined by his father on the trip. Iwo Jima has a lifetime of history in its self. The marines stormed the beach in WWII and lost about 8000 men in 36 days while Japan suffered the loss of about 21000 men in that battle. Every year we fly the Iwo Veterans to the island so they can remember their fallen buddies and lay a wreath in remembrance. The Japanese only allow this once a year and after the last American Iwo Jima veteran passes on , they will no longer allow any U.S. Citizen to step foot on that soil. HB was the first wheel chair bound person allowed on the island in history. Because of the efforts of many fellow pilots and Ride 911 we were able to raise the funds required to give this young Veteran a trip of a lifetime. Thanks to all! We look forward to another great ride this year and with your efforts we will continue to honor our fallen brothers and sisters in aviation. Thank you for helping us support your community, see you in September. The Schuttloffel’s and the Lucken’s
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