Event Pictures and Memories
Pictures from association and GOAM events. The association was born from a group called Grumpy Old Aircraft Mechanics (GOAM). The association is separate but we still go to the GOAM group for guidance, for fundraisers and to recruit new association members, so images from GOAM events will be included here as well.
Jo Jo's Shopping Trip - March 10, 2021
John's niece Jo Jo has battled cancer since she was a baby. Having been in groups with him for several years I had followed her story and seen his prayer requests. I was sad to see that they had to surgically remove her eye. I saw a picture of her with some shopping bags that were gifts and I thought... we could send her on a shopping trip that would really make her smile.
I made a post in the group asking everyone if they would pitch in a few dollars. The group overwhelmed me with their love and generosity and pitched in what ended up being $7439. Donivan, his wife Heather and the very sweet miss Evelyn (you will recognize her by her beautiful, sassy shoes) traveled to Lincoln and met with other grumps... Tim, Michael, Duane and Jim, along with members of the Lincoln Fire Department, PD and Logan County, with lights and sirens on to deliver a check to miss Jo Jo and her family. Several of Donivan's neighbors heard what they were doing and sent gift baskets. Jo Jo's family knew that something was going to happen but had no idea what. As you can see in the video, her mom loses her balance a little when she reads the note and realizes that people sent all of this to make her baby smile. Jo Jo went on some shopping trips and to Disney with the money. As of now she is cancer free and learning to live with a prosthetic eye.
Thank you Evelyn, thank you to your family and all of the group members who made this happen. You made Jo Jo smile and created an experience for all of us that will last a lifetime.
Ft. Worth Airshow, October 23, 2021
We all met at Buc-ee's, put our car flags on and drove into the airshow together as a grumpy convoy! John and Carol brought some of the best BBQ that's ever been cooked in the state of Texas, along with water, plates and other supplies. Michael brought jerky from his shop "Perk N Jerk" in Roswell, NM. Dan and Jan brought pie. We had a wonderful time!
Paul's Foot's Gone Away Party - March 18, 2022
Paul had to have his left foot amputated. We held a "gone away party" for the foot to bring him some smiles and for the MEM crew and anyone else close to show him support. We met at Huey's in Southaven and had a good time. Paul has a great family. As he opened a gift bag, his daughter closed her eyes and was praying aloud "peg leg, peg leg" lol.
Great Texas Airshow, San Antonio, April 22-23, 2022
We had a great time at the GOAM night out on Friday! Awards were presented to Cecil and Javier for fireworks safety, ha ha, and we presented Patrick with an appreciation award for "Bringing the Dick" the special cupid's arrow dick donuts. We had aviation trivia and a really great time. We all signed a spare foot for Paul so that our SA members could send him well wishes. THANK YOU everyone who came out!
Saturday was a great time at the airshow. We learned that from now on we should all meet at one location and drive into the airshow together. We had a hard time connecting because there were so many people in that one location that cell service was overloaded. But the show was good, the Thunderbirds were fantastic and the static displays enjoyable. Most of all, getting to meet and visit with our members there was the best!
Dayton Air Show - July 29-31, 2022
In Dayton we met at Company 7 BBQ on Friday night. Our ringleader was dealing with a back injury and couldn't make the trip but everyone there pulled it off nicely. The food was great and the company even better. Thank you to everyone who came out and thank you to the people who pulled this event together!
The airshow and performers were great but the parking and accommodations for the handicapped left MUCH to be desired. Some members spent hours in line waiting to park. I hope that the event organizers get their system straightened out before next year.
Marco and Sara had baby Lily all prepared with special (and cute!) hearing protection but the jet sounds were just too loud. You can see by the look on her face... So, they took her home early.
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