American Airlines & Fort Worth Airpower Foundation
Freedom Flight News and Events
cache/wst.opf.788761.xml
News
WWII Freedom Flight Celebration! Over 2 thousand people gathered in the Grapevine High School Gym Monday May 9th to meet the WWII Veterans and the students who will escort them to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. May 24th.
GCISD Superintendent Dr. Robin Ryan got the show started by sky diving from a helicopter 6,500 feet above the high school, accompanied by Army Golden Knight Mike Elliott and former Golden Knight Dana Bowman.
The evening was filled with emotion, featuring patriotic music and appearances by American Airlines CEO Gerard Arpey, Freedom Flight chair Lisa Arpey, America's tenor Steve Amerson, singers Matt Snook and Helene Cronin and the newest Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant (Retired) Salvatore Giunta and the American Fallen Soldiers Project artist Phil Taylor delivering the portrait of CJ West.
Of course the stars of the show were the WWII Veterans, who sat in the front row, the men who put their lives on the line over half a century ago to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.
We are proud of our students, who will accompany these WWII Veterans to Washington, D.C. to pay forward the message of patriotic sacrifice and becoming a part of something larger than themselves to insure our way of life in America.
*********************************
Challenge Coin Design Chosen
Grapevine High School
Iwo Jima veteran Donald Graves walked through the halls of Grapevine High School and into a history class for a very special treat.
Without notice, sophomore Baylee Asbill was surprised by Freedom Flight committee chair Lisa Arpey and Mr. Graves as they announced her design had been chosen for the Freedom Flight Challenge Coin.
Baylee's design features the image of U.S. Marines raising the flag on Mount Surubachi on the island of Iwo Jima. Her design morphs from the Marines hoisting the flag pole into students on the other side, carrying forward the lessons of sacrifice to protect our freedoms.
Her message was clear, service above self as proof that freedom is not free. It has been paid for with the blood and sacrifice of many whom have worn the cloth of this country. She hopes this coin will help pay forward the commitment of this generation to protect the freedoms that make us Americans.
Events
1. The Freedom Flight “Challenge Coin” is being minted now! Grapevine High School sophomore Baylee Asbill produced the winning design for the coin, featuring the image of the flag raising at Iwo Jim morphing into students carrying forward the lessons of sacrifice to protect our freedom. Baylee will go on the Freedom Flight and help distribute the coin she designed.2. And the winners are? We are waiting for results from the “Expressions of Freedom” project. Approximately 40-50 additional students will be chosen as representatives of GCISD and will also go on the Freedom Flight.
3. Attend the Celebration, 6:0-8:00pm May 9th, at Grapevine High School Gymnasium. Superintendent Dr. Robin Ryan will be joined by two Army Golden Knights skydiving into the inspirational celebration that will also feature the a Medal of Honor recipient and a parade of Veterans whom have sacrificed greatly to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. This is a celebration you do not want to miss.
