Dear Valued Supporter,
Greetings!
As most of you know, the concept that Don Hinz envisioned for the Red Tail Squadron was two-fold:
1) Restoration of the "C" model Mustang to honor the Tuskegee Airmen and
2) develop a ground support system to complement the aircraft.
This was an enormous undertaking, but I'm pleased to report that Part 2 of this initiative was accomplished this summer. The Oshkosh debut of our RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit was received with great excitement! This really is a story about teamwork and expending resources in a positive manner to accomplish the mission.
The Red Tail Squadron team had worked tirelessly over many years to develop a successful fundraising strategy to twice restore the "C" model Mustang. However, the effort to fund the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit would be just as much of a challenge.
Doug Rozendaal led the effort to find a sponsor for the Traveling Exhibit. The Texas Flying Legends Museum made this happen. This led to the construction and delivery of a 53-foot, air-conditioned exhibit just prior to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. The RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit was essentially untested before Oshkosh. We all wondered: "Would the exhibit work as advertised?" and "Would the public understand its inspirational message?" The answer to both questions was a resounding "Yes!"
The inspirational message of rising above life's personal challenges (like the Tuskegee Airmen did) is universal. And the mini-IMAX type movie developed by Adam White of Hemlock Films for the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit accomplishes this by taking you "aboard" for an exciting journey. Along the way you learn a few tidbits about the Tuskegee Airmen and the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron.
The message of "Rising Above" is further reinforced on the outside of the exhibit with images supporting the six values we feel have contributed to the Airmen's success during World War II and in life. These values are: Aim High, Believe In Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready To Go, Never Quit, and Expect to Win.
To make this all work, we hired an experienced driving team - Terry and Jeanette Hollis. If and when you see them on the road, say hello. Without this experienced duo, we would have fallen far short of our goal. Terry and Jeanette wear many hats (docents, maintenance, data storage) besides driving the exhibit. They are always on the road and have done an outstanding job!
Another addition to the team is Marvona Welsh. Marvona had years of experience with the DAV B-25 team and has done an exceptional job of coordinating the Squadron's Mustang and RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit! You can read more about Marvona and the Hollises in this issue's Maximum Lift column.
What makes this all work is the "team effort" concept. We are all individuals that have come forward for a common goal: to tell a unique story in an inspirational manner.
We're going to have a great fall and next year will be even better! Come join our team - we'd love to have you!
Until next time,
Keep Your Speed Up –
Bradford Lang, Squadron Leader
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