CAF Ceremony - Arizona

[sabrina]

I don't know if any of you live in the Phoenix area of Arizona, but I'm going to this event tomorrow in Mesa. Found out about it at the last moment and can't miss it.

"A Gathering of Legends"
Arizona Wing of the CAF - Welcome to our site!

Bud Anderson is going to be there among many others....I've written about him, will be great to meet him in person.

Of special interest to me right now is meeting some of the WASP's (Women Airforce Service Pilots) of WWII since it will have a part in the fiction project I'm working on right now. I'm glad I found this when I did...it's about 27 min. from my place in Chandler.

 

[evangilder]

Neat stuff! Get some pictures.

 

[Geedee]

Neat stuff! Get some pictures.

Too righty !!!!

Enjoy your visit

 

[sabrina]

This morning was terrific. I didn't know enough ahead of time, so I didn't get a media pass, and by the time I got there (early) the parking lot was full, as well as the adjoining fire department and department store parking lots. I wound up parking way the heck up the road and climbing a wall to get to it...haha.

Looks like I was attacked by a dog on the way over because my leg was all scraped up by straifing the wall. A guy approached me and said, "Ma'am, have you seen that commercial where the guy goes to the hospital with the dog still hanging off of his arm? That's kind of what you look like. Looks like that hurts."

I got to shake hands with Bud Anderson and have him autograph my copy of his book, To Fly and Fight. I also shook hands and chatted with some of the Tuskegee Airmen....all in all, a really inspiring day. So glad I saw this at the last moment.

Also...so incredible...I met a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot) who is still gorgeous and sharp and witty in her late eighties. Once I introduced myself and explained my project, she gave me her card and agreed to be a correspondent for the book. WOW. It'll add some terrific detail and validity to the fiction.

The ceremony was beautiful, and I wiped tears throughout the entire thing. Then there were some P-51 flyovers and a nice static display.

I'll post some airplane pics in a bit.

 

[GrauGeist]

Sounds like you had an awesome time (in spite of the fence!), looking forward to the pix!

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool Sabrina, cannot wait to see/read more about it!

 

[wheelsup_cavu]

It sounds like you had a great time.
I am looking forward to the pictures Sabrina.


Wheels

 

[sabrina]

___

 

[sabrina]

______

 

[GrauGeist]

Real nice shots!

The last 'Stang is pretty unique, but I hear the headroom is pretty limited for taller folks.

Hope there's more!

 

[sabrina]

....actually, there's not. I should be ashamed of myself...I'm a professional and I only snapped a few. I didn't want to take any shots inside because of the ceremony, the crowds, etc. Too bad I didn't get a pic with me and Col. Bud Anderson.

 

[GrauGeist]

That's it?? That's all you took?

Just kiddin'!

But that would have been super cool to have had your photo taken with Bud Anderson, hopefully, there'll be another opportunity next year!

 

[sabrina]

yes, I'll be back. To earn your forgiveness if nothing else...

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

I can't believe that I missed this thread until now. Must have been a great experience, WOW. Great aircraft shots to.

 

[snafud1]

Awesome pics!

 

[vikingBerserker]

Great shots Sabrina!

 

[wheelsup_cavu]

Very nice shots Sabrina.


Wheels

 

[Messy1]

Great shots! Bet it was a moving experience talking with everyone you got to speak with that day! Too cool! Great shots!

 

[cco23i]

GREAT shots!! Too bad the P.R guy there doesn't want our period ground crew display set up, HQ of the CAF loves us but seems Larry has his own ideas. All well, great shots again!!!

Scott

 

[sabrina]

Thanks, I appreciate it!It was a great event and I'm always more than happy to cover any aviation-related events or stories for my magazine or just for fun...tides me over until I start flying again!