Hillard Air Ops Center
Dedicated
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EAA President Tom
Poberezny and his wife, Sharon, embrace Ryan and Doreen Hillard
during Monday’s dedication ceremony of the new Charlie Hillard
Air Operations Center. Photo by Jim Koepnick |
On Monday, Tom Poberezny
had the privilege of dedicating a new building on the flight line in
honor of his best friend and former air show team partner Charlie
Hillard, who died in a plane crash in 1996. The Hillard Air Operations
Center will forever honor the memory of Poberezny’s one-time teammate
in the Eagles Aerobatic Team (originally Red Devils).
At the ceremony were
Charlie’s widow, Doreen, and their son, Ryan, along with many members
of the aerobatic community.
"When Charlie went
west, it taught me that the depth of the pain you feel when someone dies
is equal to the depth of the love you feel," Poberezny said.
"This building will honor not only Charlie Hillard, the aerobatic
performer, but also a great ‘boss’ of the aerobatic show here."
Also present was Debbie
Gary, who generously donated the interior furnishings of the new
building, which will also serve as the FAA Flight Service Center.
Poberezny joked, "Everyone better take care of it."
The new Hillard building is located on
the flight line just off the southeast edge of AeroShell Square. |
