Pedro Rescue Helicopter Association  Notes

PEDRO RESCUE HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION UPDATE

Now that Spring is just around the corner, I think the time is right to bring you all up to speed as to what is happening within the PRHA.

First of all, THINK REUNION.  Please join us as we meet once again at a joint reunion with the Air Rescue Association.  This reunion will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, Wed, 19 Sep thru Sat, 22 Sep 2007.  If you recall from my report of the PRHA 2006 reunion in Hartford, CT, we will hold an official PRHA reunion every other year--the next one in Montgomery, Alabama in 2008.  During the off years, we will have joint ARA/PRHA reunions as we will have this year.  Check the ARA website for more information as it becomes available from the ARA, since they are the ones setting up and hosting the reunion.  And, from past experience, I know that they really know how to put on a reunion.  We hope to get as many PRHA members there as possible--even if you are not a member of the ARA--come as our guests.  You will need to use the ARA registration forms when they are available later this spring.  If you have any questions, please contact either Ed Cartwright (edlcartwright@yahoo.com) or myself (johnlouc@msn.com).

On a more serious note, I am happy to announce that the PRHA recently contributed $750 for the Community College of the Air Force's 35th anniversary and the presentation of the bronze bust of Airman William Pitsenbarger.  Airman Pitsenbarger, you will recall, made the ultimate sacrifice while saving the lives of his fellow servicemen while serving in Vietnam.  As a Pararescueman (PJ), he deployed from a hovering H-43 to assist wounded GI's below.  It was during his extended stay on the ground that he was mortally wounded.  For his valor, he was recently awarded the Medal of Honor.  His valor exemplified the motto of the Air Rescue Man's code--"These things I do that others may live."   The Community College of the Air Force is a part of the Air University at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.  The Air University Foundation, also a part of the Air University, is the primary office for this fund raising project.

Speaking of memorials, the PRHA is also working towards establishing a PRHA memorial at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.  Bob Gerstenberg, our former PRHA president, is chair of the memorial committee.  This is a big project and Bob has been working diligently, with his committee, as they move towards completion of the project.  It is still in its initial stage and if any of you have any ideas or suggestions concerning the memorial, please pass them to Bob.  This includes pictorial depictions, words that convey the mission of both the H-43 and it's crewmembers, great photographs that can be used for the etching on the stonework--basically anything that you consider important and relative to the project.  We envision a display that will have a hovering H-43 in a hoist operation-- in a firefighting mode--a medical evac--anything else that is appropriate.  Bob's email address is:  rf.gerty@verizon.net.  Once we get a firm handle on the design and costs for the project, I'll let you all know as we will need financial assistance for funding.

That's about it for now.  Remember, mark your calendars.  I'll see you all at the ARA/PRHA reunion in Louisville this September.

John Christianson

President, Pedro Rescue Helicopter Association