Mission takes flight, thanks to devoted volunteers

Dear Editor:

On Saturday, June 14, Aviation Missions held a "Free Flight" at the Union County Airport in Union.

In attendance were 28 men, women and children who were there to learn about the many well-paying careers and opportunities that exist in aviation today.

There were five pilots, four airplanes, one certified flight instructor, parents, grandparents and other individuals who are concerned about disadvantaged youngsters.

To date we are having these "Free Flights" about every two to three weeks as grants and donations will allow.

So far we have held these flights in Laurens, Chester, Spartanburg, Camden, Greenwood, Anderson, Orangeburg, Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill, Shelby, N.C., and at other places.

All of these flights have been successful and hopefully they will continue and increase in number and volume of participants as support continues to grow for our mission.

Also in attendance were two very important men from the Gaffney area, Mr. Roger Vleck and Mr. Vic Sarratt. Not only did these two men attend, but Mr. Vleck flew kids in his Mooney airplane (donation his time, plane and $7,500 to the Mission's cause).

Moreover, Mr. Sarratt donated his time, his beautiful Beechcraft twin-engine Baron and $150 to our cause.

To all of these real heroes, we are now, and always will be grateful to God for them and their devotion to help others of all colors, races and creeds.

Mr. Dan Spiers, who is our certified flight instructor and an an anesthesiologist at Wallace Thompson Hospital in Union, was on hand to travel from Union via car to pick up one of the planes we rented from Aero 11 and to fly kids from as far as Pelion. We are also grateful to him as well for the donation of his time and caring effort for these kids. He also provided free flight instructions.

In the future, we plan to identify any kids, parents or grandparents who are interested in this great chance to fly free to see an overall view of God's green earth and possibly reach out and touch His face.

Time, nor space will allow us to ever attempt to tell of all the things that are coming from God's efforts to help these kids.

Since Gaffney has proven to be a leader in so many things, we just wish Cherokee County had an airport so we could visit you locally.

Therefore we ask that interested people call (864) 426-6542 for information. Respectfully, Ron A. Henderson Aviation Missions Buffalo, S.C.