ppilotmike
Well Known Member
VAF community,
I am happy to report that the VAF "Make a Wish" mission was a complete success! Thanks to all of you, Alex Cuellar and his dad, Alejandro, had what I think many would consider the "dream trip" to Airventure this year. The following is my writeup of their trip, a few of my favorite pics and the link to their picasa web album for more pics. On behalf of Alex and his family, thank you all for your generosity, encouragement and support for this young man. For those who aren't familiar with Alex's story, see these links:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=85196
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=86537
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=87052
Here's a link to ALL their pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/113781809018215688676/albums/5770632288414869617?authkey=CNH97Nju5O7KDg#photos/113781809018215688676/albums/5770632288414869617?authkey=CNH97Nju5O7KDg
Alex and Alejandro arrived "in style" at Airventure, flying in, courtesy of Dwight Drefs and his beautiful RV-10 on Saturday, before the show. Since Alex has a hard time walking for too long, they were given a golf cart to use during the week (thanks EAA and Homebuilt HQ). They checked in at the Christian School in Oshkosh, which would be their temporary home during the show.
Happy to be in Oshkosh (and inside with air conditioning).
After getting settled in, they met up with Paul Merems (fund raiser extraordinaire) to plan for the show and arrange to pick up their weekly passes (Thanks Ray Allen Company).
Once the show started, Alex and his dad hit the grounds as "first timers." On Monday, around noon, they got interviewed live on EAA Radio with Bob Collins, in the sound booth overlooking the runway.
"Look at how MANY of them there are!"
Alex and me, near the Hombuilt Hangars, thinking about which classes to attend..
On Tuesday evening, they attended the Vans Aircraft Banquet, where they were recognized and received a standing ovation from the crowd for their bravery. As the show continued, Alex and Alejandro were really able to see most of the grounds at Airventure, thanks to the cart, including the EAA Museum, Camp Scholler, the Sea Base and the Pioneer Airport. They even took a ride in the Ford Tri-Motor.
Thumbs up, way up!
They even found time to relax by the pond near the Nature Pavillion and Compass Hill.
By far, the highlight of the trip was getting a ride in the only flying B-29 Superfortress in the world, FIFI. (Big thanks to the people at the CAF!).
Also a big thank you to Dwight Drefs for providing their transportation from Colorado to OSH and back in his new RV-10!
Preparing to depart Airventure 2012.
To see more pictures, check out this link to their web album:
https://plus.google.com/photos/113781809018215688676/albums/5770632288414869617?authkey=CNH97Nju5O7KDg#photos/113781809018215688676/albums/5770632288414869617?authkey=CNH97Nju5O7KDg
Thanks again and god bless to all who helped this kid's dream come true.
I am happy to report that the VAF "Make a Wish" mission was a complete success! Thanks to all of you, Alex Cuellar and his dad, Alejandro, had what I think many would consider the "dream trip" to Airventure this year. The following is my writeup of their trip, a few of my favorite pics and the link to their picasa web album for more pics. On behalf of Alex and his family, thank you all for your generosity, encouragement and support for this young man. For those who aren't familiar with Alex's story, see these links:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=85196
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=86537
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=87052
Here's a link to ALL their pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/113781809018215688676/albums/5770632288414869617?authkey=CNH97Nju5O7KDg#photos/113781809018215688676/albums/5770632288414869617?authkey=CNH97Nju5O7KDg
Alex and Alejandro arrived "in style" at Airventure, flying in, courtesy of Dwight Drefs and his beautiful RV-10 on Saturday, before the show. Since Alex has a hard time walking for too long, they were given a golf cart to use during the week (thanks EAA and Homebuilt HQ). They checked in at the Christian School in Oshkosh, which would be their temporary home during the show.
Happy to be in Oshkosh (and inside with air conditioning).
After getting settled in, they met up with Paul Merems (fund raiser extraordinaire) to plan for the show and arrange to pick up their weekly passes (Thanks Ray Allen Company).
Once the show started, Alex and his dad hit the grounds as "first timers." On Monday, around noon, they got interviewed live on EAA Radio with Bob Collins, in the sound booth overlooking the runway.
"Look at how MANY of them there are!"
Alex and me, near the Hombuilt Hangars, thinking about which classes to attend..
On Tuesday evening, they attended the Vans Aircraft Banquet, where they were recognized and received a standing ovation from the crowd for their bravery. As the show continued, Alex and Alejandro were really able to see most of the grounds at Airventure, thanks to the cart, including the EAA Museum, Camp Scholler, the Sea Base and the Pioneer Airport. They even took a ride in the Ford Tri-Motor.
Thumbs up, way up!
They even found time to relax by the pond near the Nature Pavillion and Compass Hill.
By far, the highlight of the trip was getting a ride in the only flying B-29 Superfortress in the world, FIFI. (Big thanks to the people at the CAF!).
Also a big thank you to Dwight Drefs for providing their transportation from Colorado to OSH and back in his new RV-10!
Preparing to depart Airventure 2012.
To see more pictures, check out this link to their web album:
https://plus.google.com/photos/113781809018215688676/albums/5770632288414869617?authkey=CNH97Nju5O7KDg#photos/113781809018215688676/albums/5770632288414869617?authkey=CNH97Nju5O7KDg
Thanks again and god bless to all who helped this kid's dream come true.
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