I have read it - and get it - that here in Steemit...there are no rules. My activity of late has been greatly diminished by "negative (-nn%) bandwidth - can not do diddly-squat - read only" during prime time : everyday. But also there are other factors like work and other pursuits in one's life.
The chaos over the microprocessor (Computers) gotchas of Meltdown/Spectre and crap "update" quality of name brands of technology adds more stressful distractions and getting ready for another Tico Spacecoast Airshow is a burden of enjoyment.
But despite various real "limitations" I get to expereine something good - at least now and then which makes up for the frustrations....
One of the best experiences over the past decade since relocating to Central Florida I have been blessed with, has been the Valiant Air Command (VAC) Warbird Museum. The VAC’s ephemeral vibe to all daily visitors from around the globe, is a wonderful collection of Warbirds; the sights and sounds and smells that embody the past, rich legacies and heritage of military and commercial aviation. Besides the physical aircrafts, artifacts, memorabilia and a working airfield vistas…there is…its people: the “volunteers.”
The volunteers by and large perform everyday with enthusiasm and expertise with tangible affection that is hard to disbelieve. They come from different backgrounds and experiences to perform the overall VAC mission(s) with passion, knowledge, expertise, dedication and work ethic -- to say nothing for the sheer love for whatever they do. And it shows time after time – all the time.
This past weekend, we had another special guest event.. a surprise party for a couple honoring their 50th golden wedding anniversary. Family and guests traveled from around Florida and elsewhere to attend on a very chilly January night. One guest, hailed from Canada… a little about him.
Mr. Fred Gilman, WW2 Canadian air force veteran: Retired P47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot for the American Army Air Corp. “I fired 8 .50 rounds a second from that plane, nothing got away! Fred is the President of the American Military Retirees Foundation in Plattsburg.
Earlier I met this young gal a new museum guide quite briefly a few weeks earlier; I had heard many good things said about her and also she a high school junior and a youthful seventeen on her life-clock-odometer. In years past, we had various young people from the local schools join in mentoring program with us – old dudes, And I am happy to say all were great successes, one (Yanni) just graduated from the Naval academy and is currently at flight school at Pensacola; another (Tyler) got his degree and is working in commercial passenger aviation and another (John) is a Navy corpsman attached to a Marine AM-Fib unit 5 fleet. And others as well.
I was able to get Fred and Kaila to hook-up later that evening and the result speak for itself:
I had the pleasure last night of meeting and giving a tour to Fred Gilman, a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilot back in WWII. He told me of some of his favourite trainers including the Harvard (T-6, SNJ) and the Fleet Finch, of which he was pleased to see these trainers again. He went right up to our SNJ there and gave us all the biggest smile. He saw the Stearman and told me it looked almost just like the Fleet Finch (given quite a few differences) and was very excited to see that one as well.
He also told me of his switch to the United States Army Air Force, and in 1943 he flew P-47 Thunderbolts. He told me that when he transferred he wanted to be flying the P-51, but got stuck with the “Jug”! He told me some things last night that I won‟t ever forget, and I can‟t believe sometimes how lucky I am to meet these heroes. Ladies and gents, these men are our real heroes. If you see those hats or pins, be sure to thank them. They are the reason we are here and privileged today.
