Midwest Aviation Salutes Our Veterans - Annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Hecker, IL Features Local Aircraft

By Carmelo Turdo

Members of the Midwest Aviation community again participated in the annual Memorial Day remembrance ceremony held at St. Augustine Cemetery in the town of Hecker, IL today.  The program was scheduled to begin at 10am, with presentations from local community leaders and patriotic music performed by local artists.  The aerial salute featured five aircraft from three local airports with a total of nine crew members on  board.  The aircraft, a T-34 Mentor, Pitts S-1C, Cessna 150, Cessna 172 and A-1B Husky, gathered at Sparta, IL Community Airport for the flight briefing and took off about 11:15am for the short flight to Hecker.  The Aero Experience was aboard the Cessna 172, flown by Mr. Bob McDaniel and Mr. Steven Bauer, in the number three position behind the faster T-34 and off the right wing of the Pitts S-1C.  All five aircraft flew over the ceremony site in a loose trail formation in an aerial salute to the local veterans who sacrificed their lives in military service.  Here are some views of the aircraft and crews participating in the event: