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VOL. 4/ISSUE 11
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016
Wings of Freedom landing in Stuart Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE
pmccallister@veteranvoiceweekly.com
The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom is touching down in Stuart Friday Jan. 15 to Sunday, Jan. 17. It’ll head to Melbourne Jan. 18 to 21. Hunter Chaney, director of marketing, said the veteran-rich Treasure and Space coasts are a great place to kick off the annual history exhibit tour. “We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “Every year it’s exciting to kick off in Florida, and Stuart is our first stop on our 27th annual tour.” The exhibit of three World War II aircraft includes not just the opportunity to look inside, but to fly in them, too. “The heavy bombers, what’s neat is we have two, the B-17 (Flying Fortress) and B-24 (Liberator),” Chaney said. “The half-hour (flight) is $450.” Then there’s the lady, and what a lady she is. Betty Jane is a North American TP-51C Mustang. It’s the last of the duel-control Mustangs flying anywhere. Half hour and full hour flights in it are $2,200 and $3,200. Chaney said among Betty Jane’s nicknames is “Marital Argument.” Seems some couples have animated discussions about one wanting to put out $2,200 to $3,200 for an airplane ride. But, for those dollars folks get some flight instruction and stick time, too. The P-51 fighter-bombers were first flown in 1940. They continued in military service around the world until 1984, when the Dominican Republic retired its last one. In addition to helping the Allies take commanding air supremacy during the war, P-51s were later used by racers to wow crowds. The Wings of Freedom tour’s Consolidated B-24J Liberator is the last in the air. The B-24 played numerous roles, from bombing Japan to long-range hunts for submarines. The B-24Ds were also used for black ops support, such as Operation Carpet Bagger. The Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress is perhaps the most iconic of World War II aircraft that did one of the most famous missions — daytime precision bombing runs accompanied by P-51s and P-47 Thunderbolts.
See WINGS page 3
Photo courtesy of the Collings Foundation Bill Purple gets a sharp salute from Gabriel Decoff. The Collings Foundation’s annual Wings of Freedom tour is a good place for children to meet the few remaining World War II veterans. The three-plane tour will launch in Stuart this year and go to Melbourne next.
‘Hump for our Vets’ among packed IRC council agenda Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER
mkemper@veteranvoiceweekly.com
At its Jan. 6 monthly meeting, the Veterans Council of Indian River County packed in a number of high-profile items on its agenda. Coming first were representatives Bruce Cady and Jimmy Moran, urging each of the member veterans’ posts to join in the first “Hump for our Vets,” which will raise funds for the council’s many projects. Together with Orchid Island Crossfit, the event will involve loading up with a weighted backpack or rucksack and walking from Orchid Island Crossfit to Veterans’ Island Memorial at Riverside park. In addition to the weights each individual will carry, there will be team weights to simulate the extra equipment troops must carry to successfully complete their mission.
Participants will then return to the starting point, and enjoy a barbecue lunch provided by Orchid Island Crossfit. The event is open to people of all fitness levels, provided they are physically able to walk a total of 9 miles. It’s slated to take place Feb. 13 at 9 a.m. To participate, a donation of $25 for individuals, or $40 for families, is requested. Contact Cady at (772) 559-7774 or at bruce.cady@gmail.com. Next on the agenda was Renato Tavares, representing Mission 22, which seeks to end veteran suicides (its name refers to the fact that 22 veterans per day commit suicide in the U.S.). Tavares works with the Martial Arts and Boxing Academy at the Indian River Mall, Vero Beach, across from the council’s Victory Center military store.
See HUMP page 4