Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:07 pm
From the Connecticut post...
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/San ... ailarticle
By Drew Joseph
The students visiting Sikorsky Memorial Airport on Friday looked like any bunch of students on a school trip.
As they toured a hangar looking at classic aircraft, they raced under a plane's wings, acted as if they were pilots, and looked a little bored as a volunteer explained the history of one of the planes.
But this wasn't just any school group.
Two weeks after a shooting massacre at their school left 26 dead, about 20 Sandy Hook Elementary School students visited the airport for what organizers hoped would be a break from the sadness still visible in Newtown.
Some of the students were wearing yellow T-shirts with an image of a green ribbon and the declaration, "Love is louder than violence."
"If we can provide an hour with a big smile on their faces and one happy memory at the end of this year, then it's all worth it," said Drew King, the executive director of the Connecticut Air and Space Center, who helped put the event together.
King pointed to his 11-month-old son sleeping in a stroller next to him, saying the boy made him all the more appreciative of being able to help out in some way.
Inside the hangar, the students took turns pretend-piloting an old Hiller helicopter. At one point, some parents gently encouraged one boy to give up the controls to a trio of girls waiting patiently outside the cockpit.
On the tarmac, a silver 1940s-era Beechcraft Model 18 landed. "I see it, I see it, I see it!" one boy shouted, as others dashed from inside the hangar to get a better view.
Once the plane stopped, the kids and parents went over for a closer look. The students took turns crowding into the eight-seat plane.
"That's what it's here for," said Nick Tramontano, the owner of the plane, who flew it down from Oxford so the students could see it.
"As long as they don't take any of it home," he added with a laugh.
In a different hangar, the students and their parents gathered around a table covered with craft supplies, drawing airplanes and building paper airplanes.
"It's a wonderful way to focus on something and to give them an opportunity to see something they haven't seen before," said Becky Samberg, a Newtown parent who helped coordinate the event.
As she spoke, her sons -- one a second grader at Sandy Hook and one a sixth grader -- threw their paper planes to see whose went farther. When the planes landed, the boys hurried to pick them up and launch them again.
Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/San ... z2GP1FYpdP
The Warbird Community is a small one, and many of us "step up to the plate" for people that we only know through pictures or a forum "handle". A big personal thanks to everyone at CASC who made this happen. Anyone who decries that "WIX ain't what it used to be", should know that the only reason this event happened was because of WIX.
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/San ... ailarticle
By Drew Joseph
The students visiting Sikorsky Memorial Airport on Friday looked like any bunch of students on a school trip.
As they toured a hangar looking at classic aircraft, they raced under a plane's wings, acted as if they were pilots, and looked a little bored as a volunteer explained the history of one of the planes.
But this wasn't just any school group.
Two weeks after a shooting massacre at their school left 26 dead, about 20 Sandy Hook Elementary School students visited the airport for what organizers hoped would be a break from the sadness still visible in Newtown.
Some of the students were wearing yellow T-shirts with an image of a green ribbon and the declaration, "Love is louder than violence."
"If we can provide an hour with a big smile on their faces and one happy memory at the end of this year, then it's all worth it," said Drew King, the executive director of the Connecticut Air and Space Center, who helped put the event together.
King pointed to his 11-month-old son sleeping in a stroller next to him, saying the boy made him all the more appreciative of being able to help out in some way.
Inside the hangar, the students took turns pretend-piloting an old Hiller helicopter. At one point, some parents gently encouraged one boy to give up the controls to a trio of girls waiting patiently outside the cockpit.
On the tarmac, a silver 1940s-era Beechcraft Model 18 landed. "I see it, I see it, I see it!" one boy shouted, as others dashed from inside the hangar to get a better view.
Once the plane stopped, the kids and parents went over for a closer look. The students took turns crowding into the eight-seat plane.
"That's what it's here for," said Nick Tramontano, the owner of the plane, who flew it down from Oxford so the students could see it.
"As long as they don't take any of it home," he added with a laugh.
In a different hangar, the students and their parents gathered around a table covered with craft supplies, drawing airplanes and building paper airplanes.
"It's a wonderful way to focus on something and to give them an opportunity to see something they haven't seen before," said Becky Samberg, a Newtown parent who helped coordinate the event.
As she spoke, her sons -- one a second grader at Sandy Hook and one a sixth grader -- threw their paper planes to see whose went farther. When the planes landed, the boys hurried to pick them up and launch them again.
Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/San ... z2GP1FYpdP
The Warbird Community is a small one, and many of us "step up to the plate" for people that we only know through pictures or a forum "handle". A big personal thanks to everyone at CASC who made this happen. Anyone who decries that "WIX ain't what it used to be", should know that the only reason this event happened was because of WIX.
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:24 pm
CASC, you guys are absolutely the BEST for being far sighted and doing that for those kids!!!!!! You now all shine in a different light in my eyes.
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:53 pm
That it hands down the coolest story I've read all year! Great job, CASC!! 
SN
SN
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:22 pm
Thanks Guys!
Thanks to SaxMan for reaching out to Chris and myself. Turns out were all from Maryland so, how can I say no...
I am very proud of my Volunteers and friends that steped up to the plate quickly and with out question to help.
Video Coverage http://connecticut.news12.com/sandy-hook-e-s-students-get-private-air-and-space-tour-1.4385015
Today the museum Hosted 23 Children from Newtown, 13 were students from the 2nd grade at Sandy Hook Elementary. We were able to put some much needed smiles and joy into the family and children. We wish to thank our great Volunteers for making the impossible happen, over a holiday. Our partners at Sikorsky Memorial Airport including Atlantic Aviation (Hangar Space and Gift Bags), Blue Sky Flight Services (Hangar Space, Ramp Space and operations), Stanzailes (Lunch for 50), Morgan Kaolian (J-3), Andrew Kosch (Whitehead #21) And our friends at Connecticut Corsair & Craig McBurney (Corsair Display and activities) , Nick Tramontano and Jerry O'Neill (Beech 18), Sikorsky Commercial (UH 60 Black Hawk) and Hobbyland USA (Gliders) for their generosity of time and donations for such a great cause. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts.
Thanks to SaxMan for reaching out to Chris and myself. Turns out were all from Maryland so, how can I say no...
I am very proud of my Volunteers and friends that steped up to the plate quickly and with out question to help.
Video Coverage http://connecticut.news12.com/sandy-hook-e-s-students-get-private-air-and-space-tour-1.4385015
Today the museum Hosted 23 Children from Newtown, 13 were students from the 2nd grade at Sandy Hook Elementary. We were able to put some much needed smiles and joy into the family and children. We wish to thank our great Volunteers for making the impossible happen, over a holiday. Our partners at Sikorsky Memorial Airport including Atlantic Aviation (Hangar Space and Gift Bags), Blue Sky Flight Services (Hangar Space, Ramp Space and operations), Stanzailes (Lunch for 50), Morgan Kaolian (J-3), Andrew Kosch (Whitehead #21) And our friends at Connecticut Corsair & Craig McBurney (Corsair Display and activities) , Nick Tramontano and Jerry O'Neill (Beech 18), Sikorsky Commercial (UH 60 Black Hawk) and Hobbyland USA (Gliders) for their generosity of time and donations for such a great cause. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts.
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Fri Dec 28, 2012 11:45 pm
Good Show guys 
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:12 am
Wonderful. Just simply wonderful. Thank you for helping to put a little shine back into what has been a fairly dark month, all things considered.
Thank you.
Lynn
Thank you.
Lynn
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:13 am
Fine job. Respect.
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:19 am
Very cool~ good job folks!!!
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:52 am
Kudos, Drew! 
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:21 am
Neat stuff! Airplanes always bring a smile...
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:41 am
Kudos to everyone involved! It was a wonderful event with lots of smiles.
It just so happened that a brand new Black Hawk (6 hours on the clock!), destined for the U.A.E., made a "fuel stop" during our event. How serendipitous!
Here it is on departure with many thankful waves from the group!
The day couldn't have been better! WIX'ers Cherrybomber 13 and Warbird Kid pulled out all the stops to make this happen!
Jerry
It just so happened that a brand new Black Hawk (6 hours on the clock!), destined for the U.A.E., made a "fuel stop" during our event. How serendipitous!
Here it is on departure with many thankful waves from the group!
The day couldn't have been better! WIX'ers Cherrybomber 13 and Warbird Kid pulled out all the stops to make this happen!
Jerry
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:49 am
Outstanding!!!
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Sat Dec 29, 2012 11:52 am
Outstanding job to Cherrybomber 13, Warbird Kid and the rest of the crew at CASC, a job very well done. Wouldn't expect anything less from the home of the Corsair.
This is a photograph of the Chance Vought Factory in Stratford, CT which is the birthplace of the Corsairs. Also photographs of corsairs being constructed on assembly lines. Photos of Corsairs having been accepted by the Navy waiting to be ferried to Naval air bases.
This is a photograph of the Chance Vought Factory in Stratford, CT which is the birthplace of the Corsairs. Also photographs of corsairs being constructed on assembly lines. Photos of Corsairs having been accepted by the Navy waiting to be ferried to Naval air bases.
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:04 pm
Three cheers and a standing ovation for CASC! 
Re: Way to Go, CASC!!!!
Sat Dec 29, 2012 4:12 pm
Just goes to show that the good in the world will always overcome the bad. Most excellent job guys!