jh

We go wheels up tonight on Honor Flight 10 and I wanted to send out a major thank you to Cobra Country. As a veteran of the United States Air Force, I spent 12 years experiencing some of the more incredible things that words do not accurately describe. I have seen the worst and the best that humanity has to offer. I was a fire medic and ended my career as a Basic training instructor. I worked with some of the best men and women America had to offer. After I retired from service and I went into teaching, I have always been proud of my time in the service. However, now that I have been given the opportunity to give back to my fellow veterans through the honor flight program here at Jackson Heights, I am beside myself with how much support we are showered with. This year alone, the hard work of the students guardians both from Jackson Heights and those from Holton have raised an incredible sum from fundraising. Enough that we are able to bring 50 veterans ranging from the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom on an amazing two day trip to Washington DC. This is a completely independently funded operation that is due to the generosity and support of this community. I can not thank you enough. This is Jackson Heights’ 10th Honor Flight and my second as the hub leader. I hope for many more to come and with this community as my team backing me up, I know we can make it happen. There is nowhere better than Cobra Country! 



Derek E. Smith

USAF Retired

Honor Flight Hub Leader

Jackson Heights Honor Flight



The honor flight is not something that is done easily. It takes a lot of work and the generosity of our community. Below are the Red, White, and Blue Level Contributors:


Red:

L Gilliland

J&R Hill

Trinity Lutheran Church

WM D Rush

Ireland Custom Exhaust

New York Hair Affair

Tanking Tax

Rod and Shannon Wittmer

Pat Birkbeck

White:

Kappa Kappa

George McGhee

Bob Powers

Gary and Connie Baldridge

Dee Petree

Chris Gross Construction

Bill Wray

Jeff and Malia Warner

China

Giant Communication

GN Bank

Jackson County Farm Bureau

Michael and Amanda Shuster

State Farm, Gus Suarez

Blue:

HF rubber Machinery

the Haverkamp Family

Denison State Bank

Levick-Barrett Post # 28

Construction and General Labor

JH Alumni Assn. 

VFW Holton

KNZA

Robert & June Carson

David & Ange Allen

Don & Tammy Askren

Kevin & Michelle Schierling

Mary Lou Birkbeck

Doug Richert’s Chevrolet

JH Kitchen Staff