Well
the saying goes “In like a lion and out like a lamb” and perhaps this is how
our Club is functioning this time of the year because the thunderstorm season
has come a bit early and has interfered with some of our planned events. BUT things are going on...our Club
members are active individuals involved in many different things...
One only has to pick-up a
copy of the Trade-A-Plane, Second March
Issue, 2003 to see the front page
picture and following caption “Charles
Clements of Miami, Florida, flies his 1943 Consolidated-Vultee 28-5ACF (PBY-5A)
over South Miami Beach. This airplane was featured on the History Channel
in the show entitled “ Heavy Metal, Catalina Patrol.” Photograph taken by
Perdita Clements from Walt Orth’s North American AT-6.” Charlie also flew his PBY- 5A in the Air
Show for Internation Aviation Days in the Cayman Islands. Our TAC members
certainly do get around..............
In
The Miami Herald on April 9, 2003 Dr.
Jerry Jacobs was highlighted in an article about ex-POW 
veterans who attend support
groups once a week at the VA. Following
is a fascinating short biography of this
Club
member, submitted by another Club member...
“Jerry Jacobs enlisted in the United States
Army Air Force early in 1943. He received flight training and was sent overseas to England. He was
assigned to the 364th Fighter Squadron of the famous 357th Fighter Group of the Eighth Air Force. He
began flying combat missions in the summer of
1944 in the P-51
Mustang. Jerry shot down an
Me-109 aircraft on a mission over northeast Europe in early September 1944 and
followed that feat with a double shoot-down on September 18, 1944. The very
next day Jerry was providing cover for the infamous Arnhem operation(A Bridge
Too Far) when he was shot down during his 15th mission. He was taken
prisoner and taken to the famous Luft Stalag III camp and Sagan. This is the
same prisoner of war camp that the “Great Escape” took place from. He spent
early eight months as a prisoner of the German military before being released
to the Allies in April 1945.
Jerry returned to the United
States and decided to attend college at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his undergraduate studies and
continued on to complete his Doctorate in Dental Studies at the U. Penn Dental School in 1950. He met his
wife while at U. Penn and married in 1951.
They moved to Miami Beach in
1956 and he began his practice as an Oral Surgeon and teacher at Mt. Sinai
Hospital, which He continued until 2000. Jerry and his wife have two daughters
and three grandchildren. One of Jerry’s Most important memories is the birth of
two grandsons to his two daughters on the same day. Family is obviously an
important aspect in his life.”
Weather
conditions did not allow for a fly-out to Weeki Wachee in April. But Paul and Ingrid flew up with Ursula and John on Friday
afternoon to beat the soggy weather that settled over the southern half of the
peninsula on Saturday. They had a great
time on Saturday and were joined by some of the Grasshoppers who came from
central and northern Florida.
The
Marathon Seafood Festival held
in March brought perfect flying
weather. Reports from Club members
indicated lots of arts and crafts, boating exhibits, and food booths in
addition to the planes on display. The
music was loud and the crowds were
friendly. The EAA Chapter 1242 from Marathon Shores took and mailed a
complimentary photograph of each plane and passengers. It was a nice gesture of
thanks........
Sun
‘n Fun in
Lakeland was a destination on different
days for many of our Club members. Some actually saw one another!!!!!!!!!!
As
of this writing of this Newsletter, 21 of our members are looking forward to
the weekend of May 28/29 to June 1st when they plan to fly to
the Bahamas. Seven airplanes will
descend on Staniel Cay in the Exumas. These islands are noted for their
diving and fishing in crystal clear waters.
We expect to have a weekend of sun, fun, relaxation and unwinding.
But... back here in the
States...during the Memorial Day Weekend more activities at Wings Over Miami
Museum Fly and Bike Extravaganza involving Club members.....TAC members Roy
Schecter, Jerry Jacobs, and Fran Sargent as well as former member Harry Adams
were honored as WW II Veterans. On May 24 and 25 they were featured speakers
and each was recognized, each day, for their contributions to the War effort.
The Miami Herald had a feature article in the May 25, MetroMiami section…”WWII
fliers saluted” with Fran Sargent as the featured flier. Another guest speaker
was Major General (ret) Frederick “Boots” Blesse, a double ace fighter pilot
in Korea and author of “Check Six” the
fighter pilots manual written for the Air Force. He also formed the famous
Gunfighter Squadron of F4 Phantoms in Vietnam......
Lots of fun was had by all. Hope you had a
chance to attend .The Bodley’s even got a ride in Charlie Clements PBY-5…What a
thrill that was. TAC donated $100.00 to WOMM for these wonderful, worthy
aviation events.......
REMEMBER....”Create
Your Own Fly-Outs” is an ongoing event...whenever you decide to fly
somewhere and want some company e-mail or telephone Club members to join you
and you too can become a Cruise Director.......
Paul
Stutsman is updating the Club roster on a regular basis. So if you have any changes in
your information, please forward them to him... 305-385-3124 or pstuts@mindspring.com.........
Please
note that at the March 4th, 2003 Board Meeting Paul Stutsman was
voted the title of Lifetime Advisor to the Board.....
To
keep abreast of what is happening in your TAC you are all invited to the monthly
Board meetings:
The
Date-June 3rd
The
Place- John Martin’s Restaurant on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.
The
time – 6:30 PM.
All
members are welcome to attend.
The
Club Members wish to forward Cheers for a steady and healthy recovery for our
Cruise Director Sue Bodley who had to
spend a short time in the hospital.
Glad she is participating with us again....
This
Editor would like to thank the Club for the beautiful orchid I received after
my short hospital stay. I too am on the road to recovery.......
So
until next time...Fly safely........
Wendy
Gordon Smith
Calendar of
Events
|
|
TAC Fly-Out |
|
June 3, 2003 |
Board Meeting John Martin’s Restaurant |
June 7, 2003
|
First Sat., (May -
Sep.) Triple Diamond Jet Center at Venice (VNC ) for
FREE Barbeque and FREE Sodas. Phone: 941-485-1799 X3 Fax:
941-485-1699 www.triplediamondjet.com |
|
June 25 - July 4, 2003 |
XXII World Aerobatic Championships Lakeland
Linder Regional For
more info: www.wac2003.org |
|
June 29, 2003 |
TAC Fly-Out TBA |