Sun, Jul 08, 2018
Joplin, MO-Based Roofing Manufacturer Has Participated In 15 Veterans Airlift Command Flights Since 2008
For the last 10 years, Joplin, MO-Based Roofing Manufacturer TAMKO has donated its planes, fuel and corporate pilots to transport wounded veterans through the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) “Hero Flights” program.
Focusing on post 9/11 combat-wounded veterans, VAC’s “Hero Flights” help bring injured American soldiers, sailors, airmen and their families back together by providing free air transportation for medical and other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. VAC has provided free transportation for hundreds of wounded veterans and their loved ones since the organization was founded by Walt Fricke, a veteran wounded in Vietnam.
“When wounded veterans or their families have a travel need, VAC sends out mass communications to find open plane seats and when possible, TAMKO answers that call,” said TAMKO’s Chief Pilot Jim Burnside. “Since 2008, TAMKO and its corporate pilots have been privileged to participate in 15 Hero Flights.”
TAMKO’s first-ever VAC flight was in May 2008 for an Afghanistan veteran who lost his leg when his vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Transportation was provided from Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. to his home in Kansas.
Over the past decade, TAMKO’s “Hero Flights” passengers have included passengers such as a soldier’s wife in Missouri who was transported to visit her wounded husband at Walter Reed; another military wife who was flown from Walter Reed to her home in Missouri; a recovering soldier who was flown to Walter Reed hospital to be with his friend and fellow soldier when he passed away from his injuries; an Afghanistan veteran who was flown from Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, Maryland to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas – he was severely injured when his vehicle was hit by an IED in 2012; and the most recent passenger, a U.S. Marine Corps corporal who has been transported numerous times – he became the second surviving quadruple amputee after he stepped onto an IED in 2010 while crossing a crude bamboo bridge in Afghanistan.
“He is an inspiration,” said Burnside. “It is wonderful to be able to see improvements in his overall wellbeing. I am honored to work for a company that continues to support our troops long after they come home.”
(Source TAMKO news release)
More News
Runway Lead-in Light System Runway Lead-in Light System Consists of one or more series of flashing lights installed at or near ground level that provides positive visual guidance a>[...]
Aero Linx: Aviation Without Borders Aviation Without Borders uses its aviation expertise, contacts and partnerships to enable support for children and their families – at hom>[...]
Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]
From 2010 (YouTube Version): Yeah.... This IS A Really Cool Job When ANN's Nathan Cremisino took over the lead of our Aero-TV teams, he knew he was in for some extra work and a lot>[...]
Also: Junkers A50 Heritage, Montaer Grows, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Vans' Latest Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase'>[...]