FAMOUS WWII VETERAN PILOT FINALLY FLIES IN MUSTANG AFTER 65 YEARS - Article from Examiner.com

Article by Examiner.com - Joe Fernandez

Original Link Provided Below

June 5, 2014

FAMOUS WWII VETERAN PILOT FINALLY FLIES IN MUSTANG AFTER 65 YEARS

Original Link and Text: http://www.examiner.com/article/famous-wwii-veteran-pilot-finally-flies-mustang-after-65-years

Colonel Gail "Candy Bomber" Halvorsen prepares for his first P-51 flight.

Image Credit: Joe Fernandez Imaging

This past weekend's Honor Flight which took 25 WWII and Korean War veterans to Washington DC, had a very unique individual among the special group. Colonel Gail "Candy Bomber" Halvorsen visited the war monuments with his fellow veterans on Saturday. The overnight trip was the 16th such tour out of Austin-Bergsrtrom International Airport to DC which began here a couple of years ago. It was also named the Lee Leffingwell flight, in honor of the Austin Mayor who is also a veteran and former pilot. Mr. Leffingwell flew in the flight. 

Colonel Halvorsen was one of the crew members involved in the Berlin Airlift that started in 1948. He became famous for dropping candy to the children below tied in small parachutes hence his nickname. All together, he and his crews dropped an estimated 20 tons of candy (mostly Hershey's bars) from their C-54s. During Christmas eve of 1948, another 3 tons of the goodies were delivered on ground to the children of West Berlin. As a pilot he also who flew a variety of other aircraft including the Fairchild PT-19 and the Douglas SBD Dauntless. During the time he had trained with Britain's Royal Air Force to fly the P-51 Mustang but never completed the process. The Colonel still rides in the airshow circuit on board a Douglas C-54 (DC-4) painted in Belin Airlift colors. Colonel Halvorsen has been presented with a number of humanitarian awards thru the years and has written books about his experiences.

On Sunday, a very unique present was given to him by Burnet's Freedom Flyers, a great group of aviation professionals with programs to introduce young children to the world of flight and offer unique flying experiences to veterans as well. Colonel Halvorsen got to fly in their P-51 Mustang, Pecos Bill, thru the hill country, piloted by Mr. Cowden Ward. It was his very first flight in the Mustang and at 93 years young, he enjoyed every minute of it.

For more information on the Freedom Flyer's program in Burnet, Texas and if you would like to visit them and see their aircraft up close, please visit their website at www.freedomflyers.org

Pecos Bill In the News - Media / Event / News coverage Links

AIRFEST - Georgetown, Texas - Sept. 19,2014 

Image Credit Georgetown Texas

Original Link: https://airfest.georgetown.org/p-51-mustang-pecos-bill/

BURNET BLUEBONNET AIRSHOW - April 11, 2013

Image Credit DailyTrib.com

Original Link: http://www.dailytrib.com/2013/04/11/p-51-and-other-planes-take-to-skies-for-burnet-bluebonnet-airshow/

Freedom Flyers take World War II vets on flight aboard P-51 Mustang - Sept. 25,2014

Image Credit: kdhnews.com

Original Link: http://kdhnews.com/military/freedom-flyers-take-world-war-ii-vets-on-flight-aboard/article_fd5ae428-446b-11e4-a239-001a4bcf6878.html

Fort Hood Sentinel - April 29,2015

Image Credit Fort Hood Sentinel

Original Link: http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=14348

Image Credit Purple Heart Austin.org

Original Link: http://www.purpleheartaustin.org/supportfreedomflight.htm

WWII Veteran Flys in P-51

Image Credit Joe Fernandez Imaging

Colonel Gail "Candy Bomber" Halvorsen prepares for his first P-51 flight.

Original Link: http://www.examiner.com/article/famous-wwii-veteran-pilot-finally-flies-mustang-after-65-years

Support Freedom Flyers & Pecos Bill - Win the Ride of a Lifetime! - Win a Ride in Pecos Bill!

Freedom Flyers endeavors to honor the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S. and the more than 400,000 who died defending our country and the principles upon which it has been built.

Freedom Flyers has two World War II Warbirds in its fleet. They are the P51- Mustang and the Navy AT-6. These Warbirds are flown at airshow and aviation events around the country and provides World War II veterans with a once in a lifetime opportunity. Their opportunity to fly in these legendary aircraft.

We have a strong commitment to using our aviation resources to help in meaningful ways.

Therefore, veterans and people with limited financial means, who may need treatment at distant medical facilities, may travel with us at no cost.

Come join Freedom Flyers on our mission to make a difference. 

To Help Support this great mission and provide flights for our WWII veterans and keep these planes flying, The Lone Star Flight Club is offering you a chance to fly in an authentic P-51 Mustang! "Pecos Bill" is the P-51 who supports the non-profit Freedom Flyers charity to honor American Veterans with the ride of a lifetime. The Lone Star Flight Club is raising money to help pay for these Honor Flights by raffling off a ride for you or your favorite P-51 fan. Tickets are tax-deductible and only $100 each. Members of the FREE Lone Star Flight Club can take 40% off, if they wish. If you're not a member of the Lone Star Flight Club yet, you can join online for Free at www.facebook.com/LoneStarFlightClub. Help us support Pecos Bill and the Freedom Flyers' Honor Flights program and you, too, might be taking the ride of a lifetime!

Tickets and details are available at 
http://lonestarflightclub.com/P51-Ride-Raffle.html



The First 50 people to purchase a raffle ticket will also receive a Pecos Bill - Freedom Flyers Supporting Member Vinyl Sticker.

Six Veterans Honored With a Flight in a P-51 Mustang

Link to Original Post:
www.bigcountryhomepage.com/story/d/story/six-veterans-honored-with-a-flight-in-a-p-51-musta/13054/Jsel3WpRA0qrZMFQXr6S-Q

Original Post Date: 6/20/2014

Big Country Homepage.com

As the number of living World War II veterans declines, there is a growing interest in making sure what they did for America and the world is not forgotten.

It was that opportunity which drew a half dozen veterans to Snyder. As part of the Snyder Air Show, the Freedom Flyers group is giving free rides in a P-51 Mustang to World War II veterans. Six Vets took a ride in Pecos Bill.

KTAB's Victor Sotelo was able to speak with some of those who took a ride in the sky.

CLICK ORIGINAL POST LINK FOR VIDEO: http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/5184244

A Mustang Named "Pecos Bill" - Warbird News

Source Link: http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/mustang-named-pecos-bill.html

Original Post: Feb. 25, 2014

“Pecos Bill” at a recent event. The Mustang once served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and was later owned by a fellow named Bill Hubbs in Pecos, Texas (photo by Linda Cortelyou)

“Pecos Bill” is a name that would have been familiar to many in the 1940s. It was the name of a popular, but fictional cartoon cowboy of the old west, created by the writer Edward O’Reilly in the 1920s. Supposedly raised by coyotes, the famous cowboy hailed from Pecos, Texas, hence his name. It was the sort of moniker that could easily translate to a young pilot and his steed in wartime, especially if that steed was a P-51D Mustang.

“Pecos Bill” is indeed celebrated today on the side of P-51D Mustang 44-74445 that many will have seen on the air show circuit. Owned by Cowden Ward since 2012, the Mustang is on a new mission; honoring the Greatest Generation. Not satisfied with simply flying the Mustang in front of audiences across the USA, Cowden Ward has made it his goal to give a last Mustang ride, free of charge, to one hundred WWII veterans over the next year. None of this is inexpensive of course, as direct costs amount to nearly $1000 for each 20 minute ride. And that is where you, our readers, may be able to help

“Pecos Bill” with three happy customers in Kansas: WWII veterans (l-r) Raymond Fary, Clifford Kantz and Lynus Ryan. 

(photo by Jen Charlton)

“Pecos Bill” operates under the umbrella organization Freedom Flyers, a multifaceted registered charity which through their outreach programs also helps to inspire American youth on the merits of science and mathematics, and to provide free airborne transportation to medical patients in need. Freedom Flyers is indeed an organization worthy of our support. Please visit their website to learn more, and find out ways you might be able to contribute.

“Pecos Bill” is scheduled to visit the following locations in 2014. Please be sure to check ahead to see whether veteran flights will be offered, and how to register.

22-23 Feb – Air Fiesta 2014 – Brownsville South Padre Island Airport, TX, USA link

29-30 Mar – Wings Over South Texas, NAS Kingsville, TX, USA link

06 Apr – Sun’n Fun Fly-In – Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, FL, USA link

26 Apr – Bluebonnet Air Show – Burnet Municipal Airport, Burnet, TX, USA link

02-04 May – Central Texas Airshow 2014 – Draughon-Miller Airport, Temple, TX, USA link

17 May – Brady , Texas

24-25 May – Cannon AFB Air Power Expo – Cannon AFB, NM, USA link

06-07 Jun – Ada Air Expo 2014 – Ada Municipal Airport, Ada, OK, USA link

14 Jun – Denton Airshow 2014 -Denton Municipal Airport, Denton, TX, USA link

21 Jun – Snyder Air Show – Winston Field Airport, Snyder, TX, USA

05 Jul – Thunder over Cedar Creek Lake Air Show – Cedar Creek Lake, Tyler, TX, USA link

28 Jul / 03 Aug – EAA Air Venture Oshkosh 2014 – Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, WI, USA link

22-23 Aug – Rocky Mountain Air Show & Regional Fly-In – Greeley-Weld County Airport, Greeley, CO,USA link

30-31 Aug – Wild West Air Fest – Bob Adams Field, Steamboat Springs, CO, USA li

10-14 Sep – Reno National Championship Air Races – Reno Stead Airport, Reno, NV, USA link

27 Sep – The Heart of Texas Airshow – TSTC Waco Airport, Waco, TX, USA link

04-05 Oct – Wings Over Tyler Air Show – Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, Tyler, TX, USA link

11-12 Oct – Commemorative Air Force AIRSHO 2014 – Midland Int’l Airport, Midland, TX, USA link

17-18 Oct – Southern Heritage Air Foundation Airshow -Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport, Mound,LA, USA link

25-26 Oct – Fort Worth Alliance Air Show – Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Ft Worth, Dallas, TX, USA link

01-02 Nov – Wings Over Houston Air Show – Ellington Field, Houston, TX, USA link

07-09 Nov – NAS Pensacola Open House – Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show – Sherman Field, NAS Pensacola, FL, USA link

Pecos Bill Honors Tuskegee Airmen at Duck Commander Independence Bowl Game

http://independencebowl.org/p-51-mustang-flyover-set-for-kickoff/

P-51 MUSTANG FLYOVER SET FOR KICKOFF

• DECEMBER 3, 2014
• in HOMEPAGE SLIDER, NEWS

In honor of the Tuskegee Airmen being named the recipient of the 2014 Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award, a P-51 Mustang will perform a flyover of Independence Stadium prior to kickoff of the Duck Commander Independence Bowl.

The P-51 Mustang performing the flyover is named “Pecos Bill.” The P-51 is the aircraft most commonly associated with the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black aviators of the United States military. The P-51 Mustangs used by the Tuskegee Airmen were recognizable by the red markings on the tails, which is where the nickname “Red Tails” originated from.

The Spirit of Independence Award has been given out annually at the Independence Bowl after the Sports Foundation directors decided to recognize an outstanding American citizen. The first recipient honored in 1977 was General Omar N. Bradley, the only living five-star general in the United States at that time. The following year, and until his death, General Bradley presented the “Spirit of Independence Award” to his fellow recipients. After his death, the General’s name was added to the award.

Since the award’s inception, this honor has been bestowed upon outstanding American citizens, or organizations, which symbolize the spirit of freedom and independence on which our country was founded. Some past recipients include: John Wayne, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan, Wounded Warrior Project® and the Doolittle Raiders.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Tuskegee Airmen at halftime will be two documented original Tuskegee Airmen – Ret. Lt. Calvin Spann and Ret. Staff Sgt. Homer Hogues.

Kickoff for the 2014 Duck Commander Independence Bowl is set for Saturday, Dec. 27 at 2:30 p.m. CT. Tickets to the game can be purchased online by clicking here, or by calling (318) 221-0712.

Letters from our supporters - Don Ross

Dear Mr. Ward,

Your P-51, Pecos Bill, is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing her with us. 

My Grandmother lost her brother on December 3, 1944 in the battle of the Hurtgen Forest. When I see the old birds fly, I think of the stories that my Grandmother told me of her brother and the reasons that we went to war for. Seeing the old planes fly free, reminds me of our freedom and men like yourself allow the story to be told and demonstrate what these old war birds did.

Here I am standing in front of your beautiful girl.

This picture is more or less a dream come true for me to stand in front of a true flying P-51 Mustang and to meet someone who ones one and still lets us average people who probably will never own, fly or fly in one get this close is amazing. Thank you for giving me this experience.

I donated the money today, because I understand how much these beauties cost to operate, I know the donation I made is just a very small dent in the operational costs, but it is how much I appreciate what you are doing. My children, only hear my stories that my grandfather told me about the great planes of World War II. You allow them to see and hear the power and engines. Just think you own a part of what truly made us free. It is ashamed that many forget this and there are not many left who flew them.

My study is decorated in war bird prints. I just love the old war birds. 

Thank you for sharing yours and part of your story with me.

I had a great time.

Thank you, 

Don Ross

SUN 'n FUN 2015 - Honoring Americas WWII Veterans - George Hammond

Featured in SUN 'n FUN Today Newspaper - April 24, 2015 - Lakeland, Florida

By BEN SCLAIR

FREEDOM FLYERS HONORS VET

George Hammond is a 90-year old from Longwood, Florida. He's also a World War II veteran.

"I turned 19 after coming home from my first tour in World War II" said Hammond.

He flew PBY's mostly, but flew anything and everything he could get his hands on. "I flew a P-51 once" he recalled. "I wasn't supposed to, but they needed a ferry pilot, so I did it"

Years later, to thank him for his service, Freedom Flyers - an organization that honors veterans by taking them flying, took Hammond for a ride in the P-51 Mustang named "Pecos Bill" on Warbird Wednesday at SUN 'n FUN.

By how quickly Hammond climbed the ladder onto the wing, and then into the cockpit, I'd say he was pretty excited for his second flight in a P-51. And why wouldn't he be?

Thank you Mr. Hammond.

Cowden Ward, Owner and Pilot of the P-51 "Pecos Bill" met Mr. Hammond the day we arrived at SUN 'n FUN. A short conversation later and it was all set, Mr. Ward and Mr. Hammond would be taking to the skies the next morning in honor of Mr. Hammond and his service to our great country during WWII. 

Freedom Flyers, an organization created to provide free flights to our veterans to thank them for their service, works together with "Pecos Bill" the P-51 to honor veterans around the country. They are able to provide these flights thanks to donations made to Freedom Flyers from supporters just like you. 

Please help us keep honoring our veterans by visiting www.freedomflyers.org and making a donation to this great organization.