The Halos and Heroes (H&H) Hangar Celebration is our annual effort to increase awareness and raise funds for Air Compassion for Veterans (ACV). ACV Provides free medically related air transportation to wounded warriors and their adversely affected family members.
H & H is also a celebration in honor of our “Heroes” the wounded warriors and veterans who have sacrificed everything for our freedom and our “Halos”, the amazing Angel Flight volunteer pilots who donate their planes, their fuel and their time to serve those in need of medical help.
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4th Annual Halos and Heroes
October 2, 2010
Halos and Heroes 2010 was a wonderful event; we hosted over 100 wounded warriors and their families as our guests. Everyone enjoyed an amazing Warbird air demonstration, a delicious buffet from Trader Joe’s of Newport News, the bagpipes and drums of the Tidewater Pipes and Drums Corp and soothing entertainment by the Grace Street Quartet during dinner and Christine Pedi’s New York Cabaret live show.
The highlight of the evening though was the 4th Annual Honors Ceremony. Master of Ceremonies Richard Love, past Chairman of the Air Compassion for Veterans (ACV) Board, did a wonderful job as the emcee. Following the bagpipes and posting of the Color Guard, Tuskegee Airman Ezra M. Hill Sr. opened the ceremony by singing the Star Spangled Banner. Mr. Love shared the history of ACV and how it has provided over 17,800 free flights in the past 48 months for wounded warriors and their adversely affected family members. He introduced MG David Whaley (an ACV Board member) to explain the extremely difficult and life challenging issues facing our wounded and their families.
General Whaley then honored the wounded warriors in attendance and introduced Captain Chris Ayres, our wounded warrior speaker. Captain Ayres has an amazing story that he shares to inspire others and to help guide them on their road to recovery. Captain Ayers explained that he had to accept his physical wounds which were obvious but refused to admit he had any combat related mental issue or struggle. It took him 4 years of internal turmoil to confront his “invisible wounds” that eventually became life threatening. ACV provided Chris and his wife with free air transportation to the Pathway Home for PTSD counseling. Chris and his beautiful family continue to receive occasional treatment and now share a happy and productive life.
The Honors Ceremony was concluded with award presentations to our featured speakers and to our partner American Airlines, closing with Tuskegee Airman Hill’s inspirational version of “I’m Proud to be an American.”
Everyone spent the rest of the glorious evening enjoying the fabulous Christine Pedi cabaret show straight off the New York stage.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and participants for supporting ACV in our mission to make sure every wounded warrior and their family are able to access the lifesaving care they not only need but deserve.
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