This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:49 am

Very Cool!!!!!!!!

i am almost in tears!

Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:50 am

I like it. A LOT.

But this is all kind of going fast.

Has anyone thought what GARY would want us to do? Would he want all the fuss?

Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:50 am

I agree with the renaming of the forum, and wonder if in a more long-term fashion the CAF could be convinced to set up a scholarship for A & P students in his name? While he was a pilot, I am sure many will agree that he was an artist when it came to actually saving aircraft....and it would be a nice way to preserve his memory for decades to come.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:24 am

Speedy wrote:I like it. A LOT.

But this is all kind of going fast.

Has anyone thought what GARY would want us to do? Would he want all the fuss?


It is not so much what he would want us to do, but, what we want to do for him.

I am sure he would just shake his head and chuckle at us for making this fuzz, but, he would know that we love him and want to keep him around in our memories for a bit longer than we had a chance to keep him.

darn, its raining on my keyboard! :lol:

Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:35 am

RandolphB wrote:I agree with the renaming of the forum, and wonder if in a more long-term fashion the CAF could be convinced to set up a scholarship for A & P students in his name? While he was a pilot, I am sure many will agree that he was an artist when it came to actually saving aircraft....and it would be a nice way to preserve his memory for decades to come.


You're right, Gary was an artist when it came to airplane maintenance. His first love was aviating, though. I thank the Lord that he got to race at Reno, if only for one weekend. He sent Ellen a text message after his first day of PRS--"ABSOLUTELY F***IN'LUTELY AWESOME!" I think that sums up one of the high points of his aviation career, and it is one of the events we'll remember him by in our family.

Scott
Last edited by Second Air Force on Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:35 am, edited 1 time in total.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:47 am

I would think an A. & P. scholarship would be a great idea, funding in perpetuity would be tough as it would take a sizable endowment to create the necessary yearly funding to make it worthwhile. As a possible fundraiser to feed a trust/scholarship fund. What Would Gary Do brand merchandise. For anyone with hands on aircraft, I can't think of a better way to say it. Is it good enough, is it safe, should it fly? Dig deeper and do it right or get out! Gary had passion! Just did a quick price check, 1000 of the silicone (figure that would stand up to aviation related solvents better than nylon strap) wrist bands would run 38 cents each at the place I checked. If we moved those at $5 ea, it would make a good start towards a fund.
Image

Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:24 pm

I think it would be a most fitting memorial to a truly great man and WIXer.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:07 pm

Funny, I thought that would be appropriate, once I heard the stunning news today. Then I logged on here and found that I'm not to only one to think so.

You have my vote.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:07 pm

Funny, I thought that would be appropriate, once I heard the stunning news today. Then I logged on here and found that I'm not to only one to think so.

You have my vote.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:59 pm

Excellent idea count my vote as a YES!!

Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:25 pm

You've got my vote! I can't think of anything more appropriate here on WIX!

Thank you.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:41 pm

You got my vote, Tulio.

Doug

Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:27 pm

Holedigger wrote:I would think an A. & P. scholarship would be a great idea, funding in perpetuity would be tough as it would take a sizable endowment to create the necessary yearly funding to make it worthwhile. As a possible fundraiser to feed a trust/scholarship fund. What Would Gary Do brand merchandise. For anyone with hands on aircraft, I can't think of a better way to say it. Is it good enough, is it safe, should it fly? Dig deeper and do it right or get out! Gary had passion! Just did a quick price check, 1000 of the silicone (figure that would stand up to aviation related solvents better than nylon strap) wrist bands would run 38 cents each at the place I checked. If we moved those at $5 ea, it would make a good start towards a fund.
Image

Now that wristband idea could be taken the wrong way... And I'm not trying to be funny at all.

Ryan

Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:31 pm

Tulio that's a great idea. I also like the idea of making his avatar pic a decal.

Gary Austin

Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:13 am

Guys,
i own a label printing company. i will donate time to make a decal if you think there is a need and a way to distribute.pm me if interested. While i never met Gary, i truly believe he has given so much to this "movement" and should be remembered.
Simon
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