3/1/2009 - VHF Squadron Flight Support’s Children’s Harbor
LAKE MARTIN AL- Bringing joy and smiles to the faces down below, the VHF Squadron performs formation fly-bys over Children's Harbor located on Lake Martin near Alexander City, Alabama.
This first flight of the 2009 VHF Season event took place February 7, with many more support flights scheduled this year. "The weather was perfect", according to the VHF Squadron Leader, "Fossil", "Everyone in the VHF rallied to the Alexander City Airport for the pre-flight brief then launched to tour the lake and set up for the formation work over Children's Harbor."
-VHF pilots hosted at Alexander City Airport for the pre-flight brief-
Children's Harbor on Lake Martin hosted a disabled children's camp from Birmingham. The Full Life Ahead Foundation was there for the weekend and contacted us, asking if we could support the camp with a mission of some formation passes for the kids and their families.
Flight Lead "Hollywood",described the scene, "Immediately after the welcoming ceremonies for the campers, over 150 disabled children and their families were on the beach waiting for our eight ship formation to fly over to say hi. It was thrilling, as we approached, to see the camera flashes and wildly waving arms from children in wheelchairs. They were all wearing their white camper sweatshirts for the occasion, specifically so we would be able to see them."
"That day we were able to put smiles on their faces and help them forget about the life's traumas for a few moments. It was a great day," says Fossil.
VHF "Children's Harbor" support schedule, below, include the days for one flyby show per camp, weather and pilot schedules permitting. Fossil said, "It is easy to get support from the Squadron for these camps that not only make the kids smile but also makes us smile!"
May: 26-30th
June: 4-7TH, 8-12TH, 13-18TH, 19-22ND,
July: 13-18th Camp Smile-a-Mile, The cornerstone of camps at Children's Harbor
Veterans Having Fun, VHF, is comprised primarily of current and retired military pilots all flying homebuilt experimental RVs which are tandem two seat, tailwheel aircraft. The average flight time per pilot exceeds 20,000 hours each with all members having flown some type of fighter aircraft prior to joining VHF. These pilots are experienced in military formation procedures.
- Eight members of VHF, Rascal, Snake, Toga, Nomad, Daego, Muff, Hollywood, & Fossil gather at KALX prior to flyby for Full Life Ahead supporting the kids and parents of this organization. Feb 2009, photos courtesy , Mike Ballard
The Squadron has performed at several fly ins as a benefit over the past six years. The Auburn Red Cross Heroes fly in is one of their favorites due to the enthusiastic crowd and local support for the veterans. You can enjoy their beautiful aircraft and the tight formation performance of VHF in Auburn this year at the 2009 "Heroes" on March 14th.
"Children's Harbor" which hosts various support group camps for children and young adults who are facing some tough life challenges is the latest addition to the VHF 2009 schedule. -B Meyer, Mike Ballard contributed to this article.
FMI: VHF Squadron , See related Aviator article - Children's Harbor,
AUO Red Cross Heroes Fly In
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