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Thursday April 14th, 2011
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F-100F Super Sabre Roll-out and Commemoration |
Due to generous support from a sponsor, the F-100F was added to the Vietnam Memorial Flight now featuring the F-4 Phantom, TA-4 Skyhawk, F-100F Super Sabre and UH-1E Huey Helicopter. We fly these aircraft and make them accessible to the general public in honor of the over 58,000 that lost their lives and over 8 million who served our military during the Vietnam War. Seeing these jets streak across the sky and flying in these aircraft – makes a lasing impression. On Monday Mach 28th, the Houston crew was working all-out getting the F-100F ready in anticipation of the commemoration flight and Bud Day’s arrival. This would be the first time Bud would see the F-100 painted as his favorite MISTY aircraft. We were worried if he was going to be able to scale the 12 ft. + ladder to get into the cockpit. Bud has been through a lot: survived a no chute bail out of an F-84, survived a T-33 fire on take off, one of the first to nail a 0/0 landing, was shot down over Vietnam, became a POW – tortured ruthlessly for over five years and is now 87 years old. So you can imagine, we were at the ready to assist should Bud need any help.
That afternoon Mr. Day watched as we prepped the F-100 for a practice formation flyover with the TA-4 Skyhawk and F-4 Phantom. There were smiles all around as the F-100’s engine roared to life. Running out of daylight the crew moved quickly to get the jet out on the ramp. We had just enough time to practice a couple passes in the pattern. On Tuesday, March 29th people from around the United States gathered to celebrate this Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate as we had hoped. Bud and the crew waited patiently for an opening in the weather. Finally, in the late afternoon the sky cleared enough so our pilot Charlie Friend and Bud could fly a mission. This completed mission #26. As the F-100 rolled to a stop and the engine whined down Bud said – “fantastic”. Please call or email Hunter Chaney if you would like to help support the F-100 (or any of the CF aircraft!). hchaney@collingsfoundaiton.org 800-568-8924 |
Going West |
But, it is not getting any easier. We are in the last throes of the "Greatest Generation". Fewer and fewer WWII Veterans are around to pass on their history to our younger generations. Families are now making personal changes to make sure our parents, grand parents and great grandparents are well taken care of in the last years of life. With them, they will take personal experiences of a time when the world was wrapped in the most terrible conflict in human history. The thought of loosing this American generation is unsettling. The thought of people forgetting about the great sacrifices and terrible suffering endured during WWII is equally scary.
This is why it is so vitally important to have living history programs like Wings of Freedom tour. To read about WWII History - you might remember. To truly experience history - you never forget. Touring through and flying in the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator is like walking into a time machine. It is an interaction that starts in the marrow of our bones and ends in the brain. The experience is so exciting that people want to learn more. Certainly, one of the most effective means to engage the younger generations in WWII history. We implore you to go flying, volunteer and help support our efforts. Operating historical aircraft and making them accessible to people all around the country is immensely expensive. We will keep the history and memories alive - so long as you are with us. Believe it or not, the Wings of Freedom tour is quickly approaching our stops in Arizona, through California and up the Pacific West. Come-on out, touch a piece of history and "Keep 'Em Flying".____________________________________________________________________________ |
B-25 Mitchell "Tondelayo" |
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Looking for Volunteers! |
Calling all Warbird Buffs! |
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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ~ COLLINGS FOUNDATION PX STORE |
Help us "Keep 'Em Flying" for Future Generations Freedom is not for free - And neither is maintaining and operating the Wings of Freedom tour, Vietnam Memorial Flight and related Foundation programs. Please, help support the Collings Foundation by renewing your membership, making a contribution or volunteering. Every bit helps. |
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| WASP Vi Cowden 1916-2011. American Patriot, Pilot, Mother and Friend. |
Rob Collings drove Bud Day, his wife Doris and son George Jr. to the entrance of the hangar. The expression on Bud’s face was priceless. He made a B-line straight for the F-100 and climbed the ladder like a 12 year old! For hours Bud was very gracious shaking hands with the crew, conducting interviews and talking about his experiences with the F-100.
amazing commemoration. Bob Collings, Rob Collings and Bud Day made speeches and the F-100 was rolled out to Bud Day’s favorite song “Misty” (Mr. Day’s call sign was MISTY 1 and the F-100s serving as Forward Air Controllers were called MISTYs). Also in attendance was Medal of Honor recipient James Fleming and his wife. 
The Wings of Freedom tour now has made over 2,530 consecutive stops since the Foundation started the tour 22 years ago. To say we are honored to meet and work with so many great people - is an understatement. At the end of every year, we marvel at the fact that we are able to continue to honor our WWII Veterans, loved ones, friends and relatives through these incredible historic aircraft. 
