For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Heidi Greer
Phone: 757-271-2289
Email: Heidi@MercyMedicalAirlift.org Website:AirCompassionforVeterans.org
Virginia Beach, VA – Now is the time to purchase your tickets to an event that will be remembered in Hampton Roads for a long time. It is the 2nd annual Halos and Heroes hangar party!
Scheduled for October 4 at the Virginia Beach Airport in Pungo, the World War II-style celebration seeks to raise funds and public awareness for Air Compassion for Veterans and will feature The Charlie Daniels Band.
Live band music, surprise entertainment, bagpipes, premier of the book “A Sacred Glance”, and an air show featuring World War II aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang and Corsair are some of the other attractions as well as an opportunity for guests to taste the best BBQ in town with a large variety of homemade sides and refreshments..
Air Compassion for Veterans is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides medically-related air transportation at no cost to troops, wounded warriors, veterans and their families who have been adversely affected by military deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) when the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot assist. Since the program’s inception in November 2006, over 5,000 flights have been logged, transporting veterans and families of all branches of the armed forces. ACV is the largest charitable air transportation system in the country serving our wounded warriors and flew 469 missions in May this year. Requests continue to increase.
One of the reasons for this increase in our flights is due to the military recognizing the epidemic of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) affecting our brave men and women returning from combat. Approximately 85% of combat troops experience some degree of PTSD, especially with so many troops making 2 or more combat tours. ACV is committed to guaranteeing free transportation to the necessary medical or counseling treatment centers. The medical world is also seeing the extreme impact that PTSD and TBI is having on the families and the community at large. These conditions are causing a huge increase in the numbers of suicides, divorces, homelessness and crime among veterans.
This Halos and Heroes Hangar Celebration will be a great opportunity to help ACV through your donation for tickets. Tickets are discounted, limited and will be pre-sold at $35 each for active duty military, veterans and family, $65 each for civilians and only $100 for VIP seating for the show. “Due to the limited number of tickets for this private event, we urge people to buy tickets now as we expect to be sold out before September and no tickets will be available the day of the event,” said Heidi Greer, Halos and Heroes Director as well as Public Outreach and Financial Development Director for ACV. VIP Reserved Table sponsorships are also available and may be dedicated to a personal hero.
The Virginia Beach Airport is privately owned and holds one of the nation’s largest private collections of vintage “warbird” aircraft. It is a rare opportunity to see these WWI and WWII warbirds demonstrate their avionic maneuvers in such a private setting. The hangar celebration will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. In addition to the Charlie Daniels show, air show and other events, Angel Flight volunteer pilots—“Halos”—will use their own private aircraft to fly in wounded veterans—the “Heroes”– from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center to be honored at a special honors ceremony.
“A Sacred Glance” To Debut/ Air Compassion for Veterans
The book ”A Sacred Glance” is a compilation of stories from WWII and Korean war veterans currently residing in the Hampton Roads area. With each riveting story you will see a photo of the veteran during active duty and one of him now. Most of these amazing veterans will be our guests at Halos and Heroes and will be at tables in the airport museum to sign your personal copy of “A Sacred Glance” that you can purchase at a special event price.
This wonderful concept to honor our older veterans came from Edward R. Boyer, CEO and President of Mercy Medical Airlift (MMA). MMA is a 35 year 501 (c)(3) non-profit charitable air transportation system with the highest rating from the charity “watchdog” Charity Navigator. MMA is the administrator of ACV and Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic and is also the largest charitable air transportation program in the nation with 95% of all donations going directly to servicing those in need.
“A Sacred Glance” was titled, edited and compiled by MMA’s public relation specialist, Suzanne Rhodes. Ms. Rhodes is also a published author and recently released her latest book, “Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic”.
To buy tickets, sponsor a table, or obtain further information, call Heidi Greer at 757-271-2289 or email her at Heidi@MercyMedicalAirlift.org. Interested persons can also purchase tickets on our website: www.HalosandHeroes.org.
To learn more about the program, visit www.AirCompassionForVeterans.org or call 757-271-2289. If you are in need of service, call 888-662-6794
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