Western National Bank On Board For Five Years
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) said in a news release Monday
that Western National Bank will return as the exclusive Presenting
Sponsor for the next five years of AIRSHO! The Best Warbird Show in
America returns to the skies Oct. 8-9, 2011, above Midland
International Airport between Midland and Odessa, Texas.
"Western National Bank has again stepped forward to support the
Permian Basin by sponsoring one of the most significant events in
West Texas - our CAF AIRSHO," said CAF President/CEO Stephan Brown.
"They have recognized that the CAF provides world-class
entertainment for families and they are ensuring that we can
continue to do so with their strong five-year commitment. Their
support also allows us to provide this entertainment at
family-friendly prices, while we continue our mission of Honoring
American Military Aviation. We are very grateful to Western
National Bank."
With the support of Western National Bank, the CAF is working to
create a full educational plan for area students for AIRSHO 2011.
The program will include the Junior Aces program that was begun in
2009 when area sixth grade students were invited to participate in
the Special Show event on Friday morning of AIRSHO weekend. The new
plan also includes classroom lessons that will give educators an
opportunity to share different viewpoints of World War II and
American Military Aviation.
"We are honored to continue serving as the CAF Airsho Presenting
Sponsor," said Jack Wood, president and CEO of Western National
Bank. "We take our responsibility seriously as corporate citizens,
and it is a privilege to participate in an event that reminds us of
the freedoms we enjoy."
CAF FIFI
AIRSHO features over 100 aircraft on display and in the air,
ranging from early vintage aircraft to the thundering sounds of
today's American military. CAF AIRSHO takes great pride in bringing
modern military to the public along with the historic aircraft of
the CAF fleet.
AIRSHO will feature recreated historic battles of World War II
using the CAF's collection of rare classic warbirds. The show will
include aerial dogfights, simulated bomb explosions that rock the
ground and a recreation of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor with
the world-renowned Tora, Tora, Tora pilots.
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for
more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) ranks
as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is
dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight,
exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association,
the CAF has approximately 9,000 members and a fleet of 156
airplanes distributed throughout the country to 74 units located in
27 states for care and operation.