Air Show provides thrills for community
COSHOCTON – The 2013 Wings Over Coshocton Air Show is now in the books but the acrobatic thrills will linger in the memory of adults and youngsters alike for a long time. From the Misty Blues bringing a large American flag from high above the airport to the Flags of Honor, Jason Flood, wing walker Tony Dazian and more, the air show provided our community with a wonderful weekend of entertainment. Following the cancellation of the show on Saturday due to rain, blue skies and fall temperatures greeted patrons on Sunday.
Bethel Toler, airport administrator, said, “It’s been great. We really salvaged a bad day. The show was great, we’re really pleased with it and we’re already thinking about the next one. I would like to thank my board, all the volunteers, all the businesses who took the time to help us and donate. I would like to thank County Commissioners Dane Shryock and Gary Fischer for coming out today on Sunday; they didn’t have to, to participate in the Flags of Honor. It was a wonderful day and I can go home with an easy heart.”
The Flags of Honor ceremony was held with reverence and respect for Ohio’s fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan. The first flag placed was in honor of CPO Ray Border from West Lafayette and was carried to its place of honor by parents Craig and Julie Border. Toler said of the importance of this ceremony, “I think everyone of us down the line has had people serve in the service. My uncle flew a B29 in the Air Force and got me interested in flying. All of these young people that sacrificed their lives – if that don’t hit you – nothing will – and now I have a grandson who is going to Afghanistan in October and I really worry about that. But he is serving his country and we pray to God for a safe passage. These men and women gave their lives for our freedom, to let us do what we do here.”
Five-year-old Braidee Slaughter said she liked “the guy walking on the wing.” The noise didn’t bother Braidee too much and she liked the smoke. She said she would come back to another air show and would invite her friends.
Dr. Jerold Meyer, president of the Airport Board, said, “We have to thank our local corporate sponsors as well as our community. This was put on for the community. An air show is something you can use to make a little money for your airport to provide funds for some projects but the real reason is to provide some wholesome entertainment for the community and to provide a place to bring your kids and have a good time. It doesn’t hurt anybody, it’s exciting, and it’s a great place to spend an afternoon.”
“I would like to thank our staff and all of our volunteers. We had so many volunteers here – not only the airport staff but we had community people that volunteered and put in lots of hours and worked really hard. And it was more than usual, we had two days – instead of being over on the first day it went to the second day and people put in extra time and I think we were rewarded for that.”
Category: People & Places
