Pikes Peak Regional Air Show 2014
Dates: August 8-10, 2014
Event: Pikes Peak Regional Air Show
Location: Colorado Springs Airport
Lt. Col James Harvey, Lt. Col Marion Rodgers, and Lt. Franklin Mason with the P-51C Mustang
The Pikes Peak Regional Airshow exceeded all expectations for the community of Colorado Springs. The CAF Red Tail Squadron was honored to be a part of this inaugural airshow. With the P-51C Mustang flown by Alan Miller and the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit, the Squadron played an important role in the show. There were lines all day long and the exhibit was full for almost every showing. Terry and Jeanette Hollis did an excellent job of promoting the story of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Numerous interviews were conducted on Friday with the CBS and ABC affiliate television stations. Alan Miller and Marvona Welsh, along with Lt. Col James Harvey and Lt. Frank Mason were interviewed numerous times throughout the weekend. Many spectators recognized Alan and Marvona from the television interviews.
The CAF Red Tail Squadron and the Hubert L. “HOOKS” Jones TAI Chapter worked together with the same goal – to tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen and how they triumphed over adversity. There were 3 original Tuskegee Airmen in attendance throughout the event. Lt. Col James Harvey, Lt. Col Marion Rodgers and Lt. Frank Mason. With the TAI Chapter being set up by the RISE ABOVE movie, the Chapter members were kept quite busy signing autographs and selling their merchandise.
Guests pose in front of the Exhibit with Pilot Bill Shepard.
On Saturday, special guests from the Beckwourth Outdoors organization sponsored an educational field trip for the youth in Denver metro area to see the CAF Red Tail Squadron’s RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and the P-51C Mustang. Inside the exhibit, after the group watched the RISE ABOVE movie, Bill and his uncle Steve Shepard inspired the group and encouraged the children to follow the 6 principals as they then handed out the dog tags and bookmarks to the children and other guests.
This group and many others saw the Mustang being pushed out and the engines were started as Alan was preparing the Mustang for flight. After the P-51 landed and returned to the tarmac, the youth in the group had an opportunity to talk with Bill Shepard and sit in the cockpit of the Mustang.
Educational Outreach – Numerous groups were invited to see the RISE ABOVE movie on set up day at the airshow on Friday.
Please click here to see photos of the event.
©CAF Red Tail Squadron 2014
