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.
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