RAI Jets in Kalamazoo recently coordinated a Talons Out Honor Flight for nine original members of the Women's Ordnance (WOW) Chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association.
KALAMAZOO, Mich., April 24, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- RAI Jets, a Kalamazoo, MI-based aircraft management and jet charter company, was proud to help coordinate the 2023 Talons Out Honor Flight to Washington, DC, for nine ladies from the Eastern Michigan Women Ordnance Chapter (WOW) of the American Rosie the Riveter Association (ARRA). The flight took place Monday, March 27, with most passengers being former "Rosie the Riveters," aged 95-101. Most had worked at the Willow Run B-24 Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, as riveters in the 1940s. Their mascot was "Rosie the Riveter," whose bicep-baring image exudes the determination and strength women showed by working in the factories to keep manufacturing going for the soldiers fighting overseas.
The Talons Out Honor Flight left RAI Jets in Kalamazoo aboard a Boeing Dornier 328 on March 27 at 8 am and returned around 11:30 pm. RAI Jets President Becky Riley-Bakeman was personally instrumental in planning the flight. She also accompanied the group to Washington. She said RAI Jets has worked with the Talons Out Honor Flight organization in the past, but this was the first flight for the WOW workers in Michigan since 2016.
"It was an honor to spend the day with these original "Rosies" and honor their contribution to history. They took the place of the fighting men in the factories and often worked dangerous jobs to support the war effort," said Riley-Bakeman. "They were so committed some of them even lied about their age so they could go to work in the factory as young teens."
The "Rosie the Riveter" flight was co-sponsored by WOW, the Boeing Company, and community donations.Talons Out Honor Flight honors hundreds of veterans annually with "one last mission" to visit the nation's Capital. Typically, the flights are much larger and use the airlines to transport their large groups. For the flight from Kalamazoo for nine "Rosies" and their escorts, a 30-passenger plane was more suitable and efficient.
"When WOW approached us to see if we could make an Honor Flight happen for the "Rosies," we knew RAI Jets would be willing to help," said Angela Pettit, tour lead with Talons Out Honor Flight, who worked closely with Riley-Bakeman. "RAI Jets has always supported the Honor Flights and has hosted pre-flight events at their hangar on many occasions. We knew we could count on them."
RAI Jets made all arrangements for the charter flight, including the special accommodations for wheelchair boarding, which is traditional for all Honor Flights. Once arriving in Washington, DC, the "Rosies" were met with two more ARRA members, and the group of 11 boarded a bus for the U.S. Capitol building and a special tour. Next was a luncheon with Michigan representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Lisa McClain (R-MI) and a visit to the WWII Memorial in the afternoon. They ended the day with dinner courtesy of Boeing Co. To commemorate the event, Boeing gave every "Rosie" two newly minted, shadowboxed "Challenge Coins," which had traveled to the space station aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
"It was a long day for the ladies, but they were still talking and enjoying the flight on the way home," said Riley-Bakeman. "I guess that's what makes them "Rosies"—They Can Do It!"
Erica Francis from Fox 2 Detroit on WOMC accompanied the group to Washington, DC. She had helped with community fundraising efforts with a story she did with one of the "Rosies" in January of 2023. NBC National news also covered the event, and Riley-Bakeman published her retrospective of her "Day with the Rosies" on the RAI Jets website.
RAI Jets is grateful to Angela Petitt at Talons Out Honor Flight and Bette Kenward, head of the Eastern Michigan chapter of the ARRA, for their help in making the event possible.
About RAI Jets
RAI Jets LLC is a Kalamazoo, MI-based aviation specialist featuring mid-sized, super-midsized, and heavy jet management, jet charter, and maintenance services. The family-owned company officially opened in 2009, preceded by more than two decades of generational experience in aviation. For individuals and businesses, the Part 135 operator offers customized jet charter for business or leisure, as well as turnkey management and aircraft maintenance for jet owners. RAI Jets operates its own fleet of aircraft for charter and offers jet owners the possibility of offsetting operating costs by adding their aircraft to RAI Jet's FAA-approved Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate. RAI Jets also offers aircraft acquisition service and hangar space.
For more information, visit FlyRAI.com or call (800) 247-2834.
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Karen Dix, Big Ideas Writing, 6306050169, [email protected]
SOURCE RAI Jets
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