The Good that Tailhook Delivers

An amazing example of how Tailhookers can help benefit our community is perfectly illustrated by the Colorado Mile High Tailhookers, Grand Junction Ready Room headed up by Kathy 'The Boss' and Hans 'Big Guns' Schmoldt.   

Tailhook is about elevating the public knowledge of tactical Naval Aviation, its current development and bringing its storied past to life, through events, articles and photos. But we are also about finding ways to benefit our communities in any way we can.

In the Grand Junction Community there is a young 14 yr. old man, Jordan Jones, bravely facing the daunting disease of Testicular Cancer.  The community had a fundraiser for Jordan and Tailhook wanted to help.  Word went out and the Tailhookers came.  Not only from the local community, but word reached the Cowboys of VMFA-112 who had a cross country planned and thought why not take the opportunity to stop in. As well, some from VX-30 made the stop too.

One of young Jordan's passions is airplanes (who could fault him for such a love?) and one of the best remote FBO's in the Nation is GJT's (Walker Field Grand Junction) West Star Aviation headed up by Doug Thompson (pictured left).  Doug is legendary in these parts for not only providing JP for thirsty birds, but for his "Old World" down to earth hospitality, and genuine love for Naval Aviation.  Not to mention, Doug KNOWS where the best fly fishing is in Colorado!

Doug and the Cowboys thought it would be a great treat to get Jordan to the field and see some of the Hardware up close.  So they did just that, after flying in they made sure Jordan got to see as much of their steeds as he wanted.  Jordan was thrilled not to mention Jordan's parents Kim and Jeff Jones.

Afterward, the pilots attended the fundraiser in his honor on Friday the 29th in which 200 to 400 people came. Approximately 20 NASGJT Colorado Mile High Tailhookers attended a welcome reception for the pilots who stopped over in GJ on their way across country.

We in the Tailhook community may not be able to cure that dreadful disease, but we can certainly provide a bit of a thrill to help Jordan know that we do care. 

More to come...

Comments

[Swampy]

John ! Thanks so much for covering this. Unfortunately, Hans and I were on a cross-country trip and were unable to attend. I do have to share this...Hans spent most of the time traveling from Bartlesville to Ft. Worth coordinating with the Tailhookers in Grand Junction to rally around and support Jordan and his family. At one point, he was on a conference call to the Lions' Club president and Tailhookers creating a Mass E-mailing to all the members so that they knew about this event.

All that just to say, thanks to everyone who heard about this and provided support.

UPDATE: On March 19, I was lucky enough to be at Walker Field with Jordan who visited with the Saints from VFC-13 out of Fallon. The smile on his face was priceless. What a survivor that young man is ! Thanks to Rob "Thumper" Modderman and the other 9 Saints who put that smile there that day.

[Big Gun Hans Schmoldt]

John,
Another great story by a master storyteller! Jordan, Jeff and Kim appreciate the attention they have received from the Cowboys and others from VX-30. Thank you for taking the time to cover what is happening in Grand Junction, Colorado.--Big Gun Hans