Dates: August 16-18, 2013
Event: Clarion County Airport Open House and Airshow Greenwood Lake Air Show
Location: Clarion County Airport, Pennsylvania Greenwood Lake Airport, Milford, New Jersey
Attendance: Estimated 15,000 spectators combined
In celebration of National Aviation Day, the CAF Red Tail Squadron participated in two events during this weekend. It required additional planning, but the P-51C Mustang appeared at both events.
Bill Shepard, Eugene Richardson, Jeanette & Terry Hollis
The 2013 open house and air show at the Clarion County Airport included a tribute to the famed World War II Tuskegee Airmen. The P-51C Mustang of the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron arrived on Friday evening and was met by several Boy Scouts and a large crowd.
Proclamations honoring the Tuskegee Airmen were read and presented to Bill Shepard by the Mayor of Clarion and the Clarion County Commissioners at a VIP reception Saturday morning.
There were several media interviews and this community loved their experience with the Mustang. Special thanks to Jim Papke and Norman Wagner who worked hard to make our visit possible after reading about the CAF Red Tail Squadron in AOPA magazine!
The 5th annual Greenwood Lake Air Show celebrated their three day event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The airport welcomed the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and two Original Tuskegee Airmen, Eugene Richardson and Julius Freeman. Everyone enjoyed seeing the movie and talking with the Tuskegee Airmen.
In the afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday, the Mustang performed in the show to the delight of the crowd. Many commented that they only came to see the Mustang fly in the show. They also enjoyed their RISE ABOVE Experience and meeting the pilot, Bill Shepard. With the Mustang staged at another airport, Bill drove back and forth to be with the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit.
Special thanks to Peter Simon and his wife who worked with Tim Wagner to bring both the Exhibit and the Mustang to this event. Peter secured the down payment and then worked to bring both the Mustang and the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit to the show.
Educational Outreach – The Boy Scout Troop earned their Aviation Badge at Clarion County Airport as Bill and Brent spent several hours with the youth of their community. At Greenwood Lake Air Show, the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit registered over 351 children.
To see photos of these events and others, please visit out Facebook album!
©CAF Red Tail Squadron 2013
