Warbird Information Exchange

As we gather with friends and relatives this Memorial day weekend for picnics, ballgames, etc: we need to take a few minutes to reflect as to why Memorial Day is a holiday. Freedom is not free and far too many men and women of our armed forces rest under white crosses or under the Star of David to keep us free.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Amen Pat! We will be flying the Harpoon over 7000 white crosses representing the Soliders, Saliors, and Marines killed in Iraq and Afganistan this Memorial Day in Manteca CA, for one of the largest celebrations on the west coast. They also have a beautiful memorial to those local Men and Women killed in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. It is a real honor for us to be able to show our support to the familys of the Men and Women that have laid done their lives for our freedom. We only wish we could do more.

For those of you in the area that wish to attend the Memorial Day celebration, it is at Woodward Park, Manteca CA. The Harpoon fly-over will be at 5:00 PM.

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Ken Terpstra

Vice-President
Stockton Field Aviation Museum
PV-2D Harpoon 84062

Once again I will have the privilege of honoring the fallen by participating in a formation flight over Santa Barbara. As we fly up the coast I will think of the thousands of men and women that sailed out of Port Hueneme bound for the Pacific Theater. I will remember the Marine aviators like Joe Foss that flew out of then Marine Air Base Santa Barbara and the soldiers that trained at nearby Camp Cook. For many soldiers and sailors this beautiful area of California would be the last part of America that they would ever see. Thanks to their sacrifice I can look upon this same scenery as a free man, free to fly and pay tribute to so many that gave away all of their tomorrows. Lest we forget.

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Check out our new website.
CAF SoCal Wing http://www.cafsocal.com/

How will I spend Monday?(notice I didn't say "3 day weekend"),...
8:00 prep the plane for departure.
9:00 arrive at Placerville airport to brief the Missing man flyover.
11:00 I will lead our twice a year flyover of 4 SNJ aircraft with a missing man tribute at the Veterans memorial in Placerville Ca.
Pilots--C. Wahl, B. Lessman, J. Booth, J. Quaid.

The attendance at the event is 1000+ to honor the veterans. We support the event every Memorial Day AND Veterans Day.
Then after that its back to the shop to work on the Dauntless and Helldiver with the crew.
Chuck Wahl SNJ-5C BuAer 90656
Ps. GoPro pictures from the wing if anyone is interested.