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