Thanks to a Few "Aviation Vets"

June 3, 2010
Last weekend there was a gathering at Stanton Airfield, the local airport where I hang out, to celebrate a local man’s life long involvement in aviation. Clarence Hines, 86, spent three years in the military from 1942 to 1945, serving the U.S. Army during World War II as a machine gunner. While serving, he earned a purple heart and a bronze star. But that’s not really the reason that I mention him in this blog. Clarence had been an A&P, IA, CFI, charter pilot, airport manager, and all around aviation jack-of-all trades for 46 years at this small country airport. In April of this year he was one of seven people to be inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. I first met Clarence about 20 years ago. Last week while attending a local AMT Day lunch at Modern Aero, a local FBO, I was introduced to Oscar May, 79 years young. During our short visit I learned that Oscar had also spent a lifetime working in aviation, primarily aircraft maintenance in a variety of roles at a variety of companies including a short stint at the airlines. He said something to me like, “I liked general aviation better.†Last month I received a telephone call from Tony Ristuccia of New York. Tony, 88, wanted to personally speak to me about the editorial column I wrote in the April issue of AMT, titled “The Next Generation.†Tony is an old TWA guy and we had a great conversation about his life in aviation, the industry today, and our like views regarding the next generation of aviation professionals. I can’t help but think about my chance meetings with these three men over the past month. Without a doubt they all had one thing in common - they were proud of their careers and their life in aviation. I detected some enthusiasm in their voices. You can probably argue that the decades these dedicated individuals spent working in the aviation industry were different - perhaps simpler times than what we experience today. However, I’m sure they had their own challenges and stressful events. As we conclude another Memorial Day it seemed only fitting to mention what I will call these “Aviation Vets.†I’m not sure if Oscar or Tony spent time serving our country like Clarence had, but they all have served our industry well. Congratulations Clarence, Oscar, and Tony. I hope one day I can join the club with you and be considered one of the old “Aviation Vets.†There are many more men and women around the world just like these three. How many “Aviation Vets†do you know? Do they visit your shop, airport, or company? We’d like to hear about them. Keep ‘em flying guys, Ron