Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 This week I traveled from Arizona all the way to my birthtown of Burlington VT, to show my wife where I was born and grew up in the neighboring state. Yesterday morning I had a royal appointment with the Vermont ANG as I donated to them my entire 1/72 collection of the 14 planes I did of their entire history from P-47s to F-35s. Was painful to lose them, but what better place to possibly give them, than where they will be most appreciated and viewed by many? Besides those who see them in the ARC gallery, I mean. And boy, did they roll out the red carpet for us! They took my wife and me to RIGHT BESIDE the runway to watch the F-35's launch for their morning missions. We saw 6 take off while standing mid-field, then were taken to the far end for 2 more. Those last 2 were already airborne by the time they reached us but apparently kept it low deliberately for us as they roared past us. And WOW....it was absolutely AMAZING!!! Even my non-aviation wife was totally blown away. What an amazing gift and honor! Afterward when I had set up the entire model collection in chronological order, the base Colonel came to meet us. It was my honor to walk the Colonel through the "fuzzier" history of the 50's and early 60's, during which time the unit flew P-51D's, F-51H's, F-94B's, T-33's, F-89D's and F-89J's. I myself was born in Burlington under the protective roar of their F-102's. We were given additional gifts of challenge coins and a framed photo of Vermont's F-35's under the streak of the Milky Way, which apparently took about 8 photos combined to show to effect. Finally we were given great thanks as they discovered they had friends and supporters far from home. Oh, and next week they are bringing in someone to construct a full display case for them...and dangit, I forget for which room/building, but it will be prominent. No photos yet, they took them and will release them pending approval. But...WOW!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 Probably safe to say that counts as a once in a lifetime event. 😁 Glad your models have a good and relevant home for their future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 That´s awesome and very inspirational! Great to have your models getting a new home at such a location! HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Da SWO Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Awesome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Congrats Andrew! Honor well deserved. I hope to do the same for the NH ANG in a few years. If I had known you were going to Burlington, I would have asked my brother to give you a tour of the Beta Technologies E-VTOL plant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 That was very gracious of you. Good job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
admiralcag Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Ooo rah! Vern Retired CO ANG Guardsman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Absolutely outstanding! That's a great thing you did donating your VTANG collection to them. Can't wait to see the pictures. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 (edited) That is an amazing story. That is what this hobby is all about for me. History and honoring those who were and are willing to defend freedom. Geoff M Edited October 15, 2022 by Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viper730 Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 That's fantastic.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonwinn Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 MOST EXCELLENT. I was born and raised in western MA and travelled throughout my life to VT to camp and hike the Long Trail. I also watched the Hogs, A-10s, from Barnes AFB come over the mountain from Westfield to the Berkshires. Am most anxious to see these pictures as my first girlfriend was from Barton VT. Awaiting anxiously for these images!!! John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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