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Friday, June 22, 2012
Vintage aircraft thunder through local skies BY Patrick McDonough
Courtesy photo
A B-17, a B-24 and a P-51 were recently on display at the Bremerton Airport in conjunction with the Wings of Freedom Tour. The aircraft are among the last World War II era fighting aircraft still operational and will be viewable at other nearby venues.
pmcdonough@soundpublishing.com
Area skies recently thundered and roared with echoes from the past when vintage combat aircraft landed at the Bremerton International Airport. The vintage aircraft were a B-17 Flying Fortress, a B-24 Liberator and a P-51 Mustang, all of which are among the last of their kind to still climb toward the heavens. The aircraft are all part of the Wings of Freedom Tour offered by the Collings Foundation and are touring nationwide with stops in Bremerton, Pasco, Wenatchee, Everett and Hoquiam, among their Washington stops. The Collings Foun dation has recovered and restored many of the aircraft that once ruled the skies and made aviation history and continues to tour the craft at air shows and other events.
Carrying on For Cindy Brook, who
is the coordinator for the Bremerton stop, the foundation’s mission to offer an opportunity to see such aircraft is one that is close
“Paying It Forward For Our Heroes” Know a disabled veteran who can use some help? The Military Affairs Committee of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce will is asking for letters of support and nomination for local disabled veterans in need of some assistance.
to her heart. Brook’s father used to coordinate the events in Bremerton and she had been unofficially handed the honor when her father passed away eight years ago. Brook said the foundation has been touring aircraft for 23 years and had made 15 stops in Bremerton. She said her father had
been too young to fly the “These aircraft are actual aircraft but had seen them flying museums,” she said. in the skies “And rather growing up than havin Seattle “These planes fly ing to travel and had somewhere in tribute to all the passed his else to see awe and veterans of World War them, they a p p r e c i a - II who got the job actually see tion down done,” the workto her. ing craft She said – Cindy Brook and meet she hoped people who p e o p l e f ly them would take the time to and have flown in them.” see the planes on one of their area stops because Connection to history Brook said the aircraft she felt it would inspire the same awe and appre- were a connection with a ciation among attendees of past that was disappearing. She said the B-24 the events.
Liberator in the event was the only World War II configuration aircraft of its type still flying anywhere in the world. She urged anyone who might have missed the Bremerton stop to see one of the other area stops. She said the stops offered tours of the planes as well as well as an opportunity to hear the planes and see them in action. The tour will stop in Hoquiam today and in Seattle through this weekend before moving eastward through Idaho. More information on the aircraft and tour can be found at www.collingsfoundation.org. The tour also offers a chance for people to experience a piece of history in person, and Brook said an opportunity to honor the memory of the men who served their country during World War II. “These planes f ly in tribute to all the veterans of World War II who got the job done,” she said.
Our committee has limited funds available, however, we want to give back to those who have given so much through their military service. If you know of a local disabled veteran who could use some, please write to us to nominate them for a special project that could make a small difference in their lives. Please send your nomination to the following address: macsilverdale@gmail.com
• Name of veteran • Address • Phone: home and cell • a brief summary of how and when they were injured, along with one current request for assistance. Here are a few ideas of how we would be able to help: Wheelchair Accessibility • Transportation Small Home Repairs • Animal Companionship M.A.C. consists of Silverdale Chamber Members working with all Naval Bases in Kitsap County.
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