2008 PILOT MEMORIAL EVENT PLANNING MEETING

April 7, 2008

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by Tom Ritchey, Chair. Others present were Pete Weber, OPA; Ron Hanna, OPA; Dave Martin, OPA, IAHA; Phyllis Upright, OPA; Don Milligan, Retired SR Chief, USNR; Steven Utter, BSA; Doug Davis, PCOPA President; John Horn, IAHA; Elaine DeVore, AMVETS; Gary DeVore, AMVETS; Larry Weber, ODA; and Andy Andersen – OFF.

Minutes of March 17th Pilot Memorial Planning meeting was approved as printed.

E-mail and phone correspondence was reported by Andy Andersen, Corresponding Secretary.

 

Who Does What & When on the agenda was discussed as follows:

Signs and barricades will be placed by EAA & PCOPA on Monday morning, who will also move tables and chairs from EAA hangar to Power’s hangar for Community Picnic and chairs to area near the temporary flag pole at the beacon tower. 

ODA to install pulley and halyard on airport beacon tower by May 21st or at time new beacon is being installed. Mandatory briefing by Dave Martin at 10 am on Café porch for all participating pilots. Ceremonial flags to be raised at 8 am on beacon tower and Café flag pole by Al Cleveland.

Fly-Over of F-15 and U.S. Coast guard has been requested by ODA and Pete Weber. Larry Weber will ask OANG if F-15 aircraft will be equipped with VHF radios for communication with Ron Hanna during Fly-Over. Tom has requested Memorial Day Proclamation from Polk County and Andy will request from Cities of Independence and Monmouth. Marques Spa parking lot is available and two shuttle busses, with drivers, are being requested from Baptist Church and M/I YMCA from 10:15 am to 2 pm.

CAP Cadets will help taxi and park aircraft. Scout Troup 38 & volunteers will help park cars and place Memorial Wreath to be made by Pines Chapter 99s.

List reviewed of deceased Pilots since 2007 Memorial Event and includes 12 Military Pilots to receive Memorial Flags from Rep. Darlene Hooley. Families of three lady pilots, will receive engraved Memorial Vases provided by Airpark So-n-So’s. Other deceased civilian pilot’s families will also be recognized during Ceremony.

Restrooms will be available at EAA & FBO hangars. Harry Malette will order handicap accessible Port-a-Potty to be placed near fuel pumps. Poster to be designed by Lois Martin and Andy will print and post. Farnstrom Mortuary will print program like last year. Master to be made by Lois & Andy. News articles will be written by Trish Hanna and Andy. Safety Officers are Jerry Pryce, Doug Davis and Pete Weber. Flight Advisor will be Ron Hanna, assisted by Debra Plymate, on Dave Ruddiman’s portable tower. PCOPA to plan and serve Community Picnic in Power’s hangar Monday Morning, chaired by Marilyn Husser. Cost will be $5 for all except Coast Guard crew who will be free. Polk Fire Dist #1 will be asked to provide lunch for their emergency crew volunteers.

 

Tentative Program

MC will be Tom Ritchey, Polk County Commissioner, who will announce events.

AMVETS, assisted by USNR, will lower Ceremonial U.S. Flag to ½ staff and lead in Pledge of Allegiance, followed by raising flag to full staff while Suzanne Bladow leads in singing the National Anthem.

Invocation by Reverend Bob Roach.

Welcome by Dan Clem, Director of Oregon Dept. of Aviation.

Military Historian, John Bruning, to speak on Tribute to Pilots.

BSA Scout Troup 38 to place Pilot Memorial Wreath, made by Pines Chapter 99s, at base of Ceremonial Flag Pole.

Announcement will be made of the placing of a Pilot Memorial Bench in honor of Alan Upright provided by the PCOPA chapter. U.S. Flags that have flown over the Nation’s Capitol will be presented to deceased Military Pilot’s families by U.S. Representative Darlene Hooley and her staff, assisted by Bob Severance, OFF President. Engraved Vases, provided by Airpark So-n-Sos, will be presented to families of deceased lady pilots by Margaret Wilson, assisted by Kelly Wilson, President of IAHA. Memorial Recognition will be provided to families of all other deceased civilian pilots.

RV Missing Man Formation Fly-By, lead by Dennis Krummel or substitute. Medley of Military songs, by Steven Springer, played as attending veterans stand in recognition of those who survived military conflicts. Springer will also provide and setup PA system.

TAPS presented by Danielle Ritacco, SrA.

Local and other private aircraft Fly-By will be lead by Lynn McDonald at conclusion of Pilot Memorial Ceremony. The PCOPA Community Picnic will start serving at 11:30 am through 1 pm in Power’s hangar. Ice Cream will be sold by Pines Ch. 99s. Bulletin Boards will be on display all day listing names and pictures of deceased Oregon KIA and MIA Military pilots. M/I YMCA Airplane Model Builders display & judging in Power’s hangar at 1:15 pm. It was suggested other model aircraft be displayed in Power’s hangar.

The U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration will be at 1 pm on taxiway and will be narrated on PA.

 

Next and final Pilot Memorial Event Planning meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th at 7 pm in Gabel’s hangar.

 

Submitted by Andy Andersen, Acting Recording Secretary, from notes and tape recording.

 

Meeting0407.doc