Annual Valley Flight - Prep for memorial Day

[gmascelli]

Annual Valley Flight


Mary and I recently did the road warrior gig to take care of her mom and dad’s cemetery plot. The just under two hour trip led us to the Veteran's cemetery in Bear Delaware. Following our clean up, new flag install and fresh flowers we headed to Chesapeake city md. We had the chance to meet up with fellow pilot Frank of AirDorrin. His lovely bride was busy helping out at the fire house so we certainly missed miss Bev.

Fast forward to this morning and we are headed to the Ocean City airport ready to head north. Today is my parents turn for flowers, mulch and General cleanup. I had completed the preflight inspection Sunday when I took on fuel. The last thing I needed to do was sump the tanks and tug the plane out. Our gardening tools and two gallons of water were loaded into the baggage compartment followed by us climbing aboard.



It was windy today, 310 11 knots gusting 18 knots. At least it was right down the runway for departure. We faced a constant headwind as we climbed to six thousand five hundred feet. Since Philly didn’t want this bug smasher in the bravo, clearly evident by the expected route change, I decided to fly VFR and skirt Philly and Allentown.



We rode along on top and I was starting to concern myself with the thought of should I have filed or I may need a pop up to get through this layer. Thankfully there was an opening and I let down for Wilkes-Barre, KAVP as we crossed over the wind turbines. I was cleared to land runway four and ride the bucking bronc to the runway winds 300 16 gusting 19 knots.


Headwinds

I took on 16 gallons and with that the ramp fee was waved. I was charged a landing fee of $13. Mary secured the curtesy SUV and once our supplies were loaded we head to the cemetery. The Pittston Walmart had the mulch and a large selection of flowers to choose from. Twenty minutes later we were digging in the dirt and planting flowers.


Tailwinds

A beautiful day to fly and an annual event that is near and dear to my heart. I miss my folks everyday and to honor them by completing this flight and preparing the grave for Memorial day is very important to me.

 

[lwickter]

Great use of the machine Gary. Thanks for sharing.

 

[gmascelli]

Great use of the machine Gary. Thanks for sharing.

You’re welcome! it would have been just shy of five hours each way ground pounding. 3 Tango Charlie makes it an easy day.

 

[rringgold]

Two thumbs up Gary!

 

[flingwing]

Memorial Day is important to me also, thanks for sharing. “Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery and Today is a Gift”

 

[gmascelli]

Memorial Day is important to me also, thanks for sharing. “Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery and Today is a Gift”

flingwing

Ed,

Thank you for your service.

Growing up Memorial Day was always a day to honor those who served and gave all for their country. My family is from Wilkes-Barre PA and the traditions run deep. I remember as a youngster making stops at each cemetery and always attending the Memorial ceremony. I collected brass from each gun salute at each stop. I still remember the fireman along the route collecting donations at traffic lights with the pass the boot. Many great memories that I refuse to let fade away. My aunts and uncles are gone now, and there were many, big italian families on both sides. It's up to the cousins to carry on and most of us are getting long in the tooth too.

 

[flingwing]

Gary,

Thanks for the kind recognition.

I grew up in a large family of WWII vets. My dad was a pilot in the Army Air Corp along with an uncle that flew B24's over Italy. Another uncle that was a flight engineer on a B29 and another that served as a Marine on Iwo Jima. When the Vietnam war escalated there was no way I was going to be able to escape the draft by running off and hiding like some did.

Memorial Day to me is a special day to give gratitude to the almighty for having let me survive so I could show reverence to those guys I served with that didn't get the chance to live out the rest of their lives with their loved ones. I served two tours in Vietnam the first one the ground as an Infantry Platoon leader and the second as a helicopter Gunship pilot. Unfortunately, I knew many that didn't make the trip home. God Bless