Warbird Information Exchange

It's my opinion that a donation to the B-29/B-24 squadron in Gary's name would be an appropriate way of memorializing him. I'm not saying give money to the Commemorative Air Force proper, just the B-29/B-24 squadron.

http://www.cafb29b24.org/

Gary put his life into both of the airplanes and probably did more than any single person for the squadron itself. With FiFi, he was the original fire behind the engine project. With the B-24, he took an airplane nobody really wanted to put much effort into and made her into the plane we see today. Help Dave Miller carry on Gary's work.

If you want to do something in his memory, keep his legacy alive. Get the airplanes that he loved so much in the air and help keep them there.

http://www.cafb29b24.org/

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Brad

Brad
You beat me to it. A number of members of the squadron who knew Gary believe that the best way to honor Gary's memory is to do our best to keep the two "Ladies" that he so loved in the air. We are going to focus on all the good times that we had with Gary and the positive contributions that he made to both the squadron and the CAF. Therefor we would like to begin collecting contributions to purchase sponsorship(s) on first Ol' 927 then "FIFI"

I was talking with Dave Miller yesterday evening, and Gary had a tremendous impact on our squadron, as he took Diamond Lil an airplane no one really cared about, and made her into the airplane that people now want to see Ol' 927. His talents and dedication to this project were amazing.

If you would like to contribute to this project please do so by sending a check to the squadron at:
B-29/B-24 Squadron
PO Box 61945
Midland, Texas zip79711-1945

OR you can contact me via pm and we can work something out.

Thank you for your consideration, and Gary on behalf of the entire squadron we will miss you! Fly safe and fast

Chris Trobridge
CAF B-29/24 Squadron

I would get envolved if they would change the name of "Old 927" to "Gary's Pride" (That old B-24A certainly was) and if those folks don't take his conversion of Diamond Lil to Old 927 thread and make a book out of it and sell it, they are stupid(We on this site would, but I realise there is some trademark crap involved and of course the CAF management is so obdurate they will not be able to see the potential). I never cared much for the "Old 927" name anyway. The fact that Gary came out of Nelson Ezell's shop is reflected in his work and on their two planes. Man, I'm gonna miss that young man!

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tracers work both ways

There have been quite a few suggestions as to how to best memorialize a man we all clearly respected and cared for a great deal.

Perhaps those who are in touch with Gary's family could contact them and see if they have any preference. I mean no disrespect to anyone here, or any of the ideas put forth, but I think maybe they might be consulted as well.

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"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999

I understand and appreciate where you're coming from, but Brad is just as much part of Gary's family as Gary's own flesh and blood. I think it's a splendid idea... with the only caveat being that I have a lingering sense of resentment against the CAF for the grief they caused Gary after he worked so hard for so long to rebuild that old bird into a shining star of the airshow circuit. I can't help but wonder what we'd be discussing today had that not happened.

But Brad's right- Gary put his heart and soul into those two aircraft, and helping to keep them in the air would be a fine tribute, I think.

Lynn

Lynn, I think I should have been more clear than I apparently was, as I wasn't aiming my comment only at Brad's suggestion.

We've talked about trying to save the two ex-USAF fighters, a scholarship fund, and numerous other ideas in addition to Brad's suggestion here...and every one of these suggestions have merit. Which would be the best? I didn't know Gary well enough to know, and I would like to think that where ever I end up placing my support would be the best possible way to honor him.

I have actually been thinking about this for a day or so, and I thought that, based on Brad's subject title in this thread, that my comment might be mpre geographically appropriate here than some of the other threads.

I sincerely apologize to Brad if it seemed that I was in any denigrating his idea. That was not my intention, and Brad would be in a far better position than myself to suggest the best way for us to focus.

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"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999

I have thought about this and I am sitting here watching the video of Gary. I think the best would be fundraising to get the B29 back in the air. You can see how fondly he thought of the B29 the way he refers to it moreso than the B24..?

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Cheers,
Peter

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I was already getting something together to make a donation to the squadron in his name, just because the B-24 project was how we met in the first place. And thanks to Gary, my life changed after that. But it's nice to see it suggested here as well. It will probably take me a couple weeks to get it taken care of.

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Sure, Charles Lindbergh flew the plane... but Tom Rutledge built the engine!

Visit Django Studios online or Facebook!

I would be in favor of either of the following two options:

1: Set up a scholarship in Gary's name to be given to an individual who will pursue an A&P rating and shows an interest in preserving warbirds. This can go to those kids who come out to the hangers to help and have an interest in warbirds but not the financial means to get into the business. We all can think of one or two who would qualify and this would be something I think Gary would like.

2: Sponsor either the B-29 or B-24 or both as a tribute to him. He put a lot of who he was into both of those airplanes. Although he had difficulties with the CAF they were with the people not the planes. The planes will remain, the people will change and his workmanship will go on through the ages with both those planes.

I would love to see some kind of scholarship fund set up for future A&P's. I know next to nothing on how to set that up, however. When those type of scholarships are set up, how do they make sure they are self-perpetuating? In other words, how does the scholarship keep money in it every year after the scholarship is given out?

After all of the dust settles, and there is more clear direction on what form of a Gary memorial is undertaken, I will definitely contribute towards it. So far, I am really liking the scholarship idea, however.

One piece of advice for whoever ultimately sets this up. Whether it's the B-24/B-29 fund or a Gary scholarship or whatever, PLEASE set up some form of electronic payment, like paypal. There are many, many people, myself included, who are much more likely to donate when it only takes a few mouse clicks versus the pain in the butt it takes to write and address a letter and drop it off at the Post Office. I will do the letter thing, no problem, but there are many people out there who don't have the time or won't take the time it takes to do a letter exercise.

I believe the paypal account that Scott set up for the replica .50's for "Ole' 927" greatly illustrates this point. I don't believe that nearly the amount of money donated would have happened if it weren't for the ease of electronic transactions.

Like it or not, that's the modern world we live in. Do you think Ebay would have been as successful as it is, if it weren't for the invention of paypal?

Just something for the higher-ups to consider. Thanks for your consideration of this.

I haven't posted anything, because when I heard the news, I too felt that maybe I had let him down. I talked to him about his problems and thoughts. The facts are that he didn't take his life, mental illness took it". Instead of everyone trying to come up with thier own ideas, as much as they have merit, let's focus on one. I think Brad's suggestion should be the one to get behind. Let's keep the opinions of the CAF or anyone else out of it. The facts are " He loved those planes and had an impact on thousands of people because of them and his work on them."

Give to the B24/B29 squadron in Gary's honor.

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Blue Skies,
Doug

www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com

You think if the CAF gave the wix membership an amount that we could raise towards the bombers that they would paint for us garys name under the FE window of FIFI and the tail gun position on 927 since those were his favorite spots???

Just a Idea.

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Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005

ditto

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Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

Should all us Wixers donate as a whole or as individuals?

I think it is a great idea.

Dave C

Well said, Doug.

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"I love the smell of 100LL in the morning."