Living the dream

Courtesy photo

Two happy young men, McCook natives, exploring the wonders of exotic Hawaii. Not mere passengers on a holiday lark, these two, Sean Cappel and Asher Brooks were the pilots that had just flown a Nebraska Air Guard KC-135 from Lincoln to Hickam. I have no clue why they are there or what their mission is but so proud that it happened.

You see this old columnist was the flight instructor that initially taught both to fly right here at the McCook Airport. Obviously both went on to more advanced training in college at Omaha and then off to Air Force pilot training. I may have even imparted the dream of military service which this old guy so enjoyed in 25 years of active duty in the Air Force.

It may have been the first time that the two have made the trip to Hawaii but not long ago they sent me a picture dressed in combat garb as they stood on the ramp in Afghanistan. Surely Hawaii would be more fun!

McCook natives Asher Brooks, left, and Sean Cappel on duty, right, and off, above.

Courtesy photo

Yes, this old guy knew Hawaii well having landed there about a dozen times going to and from the war in Vietnam. We would leave less than wonderful weather in Oklahoma or hot and sticky Guam and then the next morning enjoy breakfast at the Hickam Officers Club Annex, open air on the edge of the ships canal leading into Pearl Harbor, watching the Navy’s warships coming and going. A great respite from the ugliness of the active war going on in Vietnam back in the sixties. We didn’t win that one either but it wasn’t for lack trying on the American GI’s part.

The letter was simply addressed to “Grannie Annie” with our address below. No stamp but postmarked “Camp Buerhing MPO” in the upper right corner. Yep a thank you from one of Grannie’s Army Chaplains stationed in Kuwait. I quote: “The 27th Engineer Battalion (Airborne) thanks you for your generosity. The many care packages you sent have been happily received and have directly let to an increase in the morale of the Soldiers. Care packages bring a smile and a taste of home to Soldiers missing loved ones and simple comforts of home. Your care packages easily ranked as some of the favorite ones received during our brief mission. It is a blessing to know that there are many people who care about us and support us during our deployment, even people whom we have never met. The American Soldier works a little harder knowing that the nation supports and cares for them.

More than that they allow for conversations between me and Soldiers. These conversations about the events of their day allow for relationships and deeper conversations between me and them in their moments of need. May God bless you as you continue to serve American Soldiers!” Signed Captain, Chaplain, Cameron B. Michael.

He then went on to thank the community here for all your support and a few sentences about his wife and young children back home whom he sorely misses. It is you who makes the ministry of Adopt a Chaplain so successful as Ann professes she is just the hands and feet that makes it go. A letter like the above makes it all worthwhile. You, our community, are making a difference!

Our McCook Airport hosted a great event in beautiful weather last Saturday the 14 of September.

A genuine, beautifully restored N3S Stearman, biplane, WWII, came to town. It is one of four owned by the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation. They are dedicated to giving back to our veterans who have served long ago and now live in long term care facilities like our Brookdale and they give back by offering half hour rides, free, to those who were in the military way back when.

As a thank-you this old gent also got the last short ride of the day. First time in a Stearman for me.

Scott, an Ag pilot from Geneva, and his wife Jan came to give the rides, seven veterans, some WWII, and four others about 90 years old all received rides throughout the day.

Griff Malleck had his T-6 parked out front for display and non-flying tours. Both were military trainers of the 1940s.

Shelby of J&S Aviation, our FBO, did our airport proud. Tables and chairs set up in the fuel office and lounge area decorated so the whole place looked festive. Hot coffee, ice tea, lemon aid, cold water, popcorn, protein bars and at lunch grilled burgerås and baked beans.

Shelby and Mindy from Brookdale coordinated the event and J&S Aviation donated the fuel. It was well attended by family and friends of those who received rides. The public was invited and a few came to observe and appreciated personal tours of the airport inside the fence.

Later Jan, the pilots wife and coordinator of the rides, spoke that it was the best event tin which they had ever been involved. Ah the stuff of dreams fulfilled.

That is how I saw it.

Dick Trail