It started with a spectacular venue. Click here for Venue Pictures (this window will stay open so you can return)

There were plenty of airplanes to admire, big and small. Click here for Airplane Pictures

Live swing music was provided by the Reflection Big Bandl. Click here for Band Pictures

As you might imagine, with all that music there was plenty of dancing.. Click here for Dancing Pictures

We took a break to cut the cake and celebrate the 60th Birthday.. Click here for Birthday Pictures

The fellowship with friends was the best part - and lots were dressed in style! Click here for People Pictures

The highlight of the evening was honoring our veterans. Click here for Veteran Pictures

Special Thank Yous from Ron and Wendy

First, thanks to Larry Morris (shown above saluting with our granddaughter Madison) and his lovely wife Norma for making the Birthday Bash possible by providing the Pirate Aire hangar - and all the work it took to make that happen. Larry and Ron met a long time ago in the Southern Bell world and have shared work and flying experiences in the years since. Larry has been Ron's flight instructor and mentor for all things related to aviation for over 30 years. A true friend; and one of the truly nicest southern gentlemen you will ever meet.

Second, we want to thank everyone who took the time from their busy schedules to attend the Birthday Bash. There were family members, running friends, church friends, flying friends, Telephone Company friends, CMPD friends, veterans, and many who fit in more than one of those categories. Each of you is a very special person in our lives and we are grateful to God for having blessed us with your friendship.

Third, thank you for your generosity in supporting Airlift Hope/Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic. Your gifts will make a difference in the lives of people you will never meet - and that makes them even more special. Donations during the evening and in the days following the party totaled over $1,200! That is phenomenal! Should you want to know more about Airlift Hope (the name Angel Flight goes by in NC) then click here, if you feel led to make a gift (we don't get if we don't ask) then click here!

Fourth, many of you told us what a magical place had been created in the Pirate Aire hangar. It truly was a special evening, wasn't it? Gorgeous tables, great food, striking aircraft on display, and a spectacular night sky outside the hangar door that brought an unbelievable moonrise. Just in case you wondererd how all the details fell in place - the Birthday Bash logo in the serving line, on the glasses and the chocolates; the striking invitiaton that morphed into the poster you signed at the door; the handmade oriental lanterns, and so much more - it was the work of Michael Wilson.

Here Michael poses with his Mother and Father (Carolyn and Bill Wilson - who were spot on 1940s, weren't they?) beside the Birthday Bash poster. Michael not only designed all that you saw around you in the hangar, but he created a great deal of it with his hands. The lanterns on the tables, the lamps with the Birthday Bash logo behind the serving line, the arrangements on the bar - Michael made all of those. The invitation, big poster, logo glasses, logo napkins, even the "airplane aluminum" Birthday Cake - all his design. The placement of the airplanes, tables, bar, backgrounds, and the gobo light projector - all Michael's doing. We are forever indebted to him for making the night magical indeed. By the way, if you have a special event coming up, or have any type of interior design or decoration you need, here is Michael's contact info:

Fifth, thanks to three special people:

Mike Griffin for most of the pictures of the Birthday Bash that you see on this website. A longtime cycling, running, and telephone company friend, Mike was everywhere during the party taking pictures - above is the only time he was caught on camera. The inset picture is of Mike and me enjoying ice cream on Mike's Kamikaze Bike Ride in the heat of last September.

My good friend and former brother-in-law John Townsend for a week's worth of work that made the party possible. He retired a few years ago after 35+ years in the Law Enforcement Division of the National Park Service. He flew to Charlotte from his home in Spokane, Washington, arriving on the Tuesday before the party. I'm pretty sure we worked him 18 hours every day he was here. Above you can see John and Larry working on the hangar floor early Saturday morning - there is a reason it was so shiny!

Jane Daniel for her help with planning the party then making sure everything stayed on schedule during the Birthday Bash. Jane is an event planner and was the director at our wedding.

Finally, to each and every veteran that was there that night - Thank You for your service. But we neglected to recognize some others that have given their career to serving others. Thanks to those in the Thin Blue Line - the law enforcement professionals at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and in the National Park Service Enforcement Division. For veterans and law enforcement alike, thanks to those of you who were there (and a few who were invited but couldn't make it). Finally, Thank You to the families of those who have served (and are serving) in our Armed Services and Law Enforcement agencies. Your sacrifice is part of what makes America great.

In Closing...

I received many very meaningful birthday cards. Perhaps none has more meaning than this one from my very talented friend Leon. The airplane depicted is the one my father soloed in 50 years ago - August 18, 1960. Click here to see the story of the airplane.

A picture truly is worth a thousand words.

May all of your birthdays be as special as my 60th.

ron