A Day of Celebration at 2B2

  By Charlotte Vincent

September 22-23, 2012, will go down in 2B2 history as UFO Weekend!

As Alex Hasapis covered in our last posting, Saturday, September 22,

marked the first annual gathering of the New England region’s United Flying Octogenarians (UFO) at our little but historic Plum Island Airport! Alex Hasapis served as host for the day. Seven UFOs joined us around the table in our 2B2 lounge and shared their aviation experiences, including moving recounts by three UFOs of their flying missions during World War II in service to our country.

On Sunday, September 23, the tables were turned on Alex. Alex Hasapis became the guest of honor at 2B2! Family and friends gathered to celebrate Alex’s 80th birthday and his induction into the elite UFO organization.

The calming of the wind gave the necessary clearance for the day to be opened by Butch Crook, nationally awarded precision skydiver and long time friend of 2B2. The jump plane circled overhead and caught the crowd’s attention on the ground. With their eyes glued to the skies and their cameras flashing in paparazzi style, the crowd watched Butch’s skydiving show with excitement and amazement!

Photo by R.Neville

First, a pair of yellow streamers was dropped from the plane. We learned from Linda Ducharme, Butch’s special lady and fellow skydiver, that the streamers help the jumper to determine the wind direction and proper departure point from the aircraft.

During the next go ‘round of the 2B2 patch, Butch made his way to the exit door and jumped into the spacious blue sky! After a few minutes of free falling, he popped open his signature blue and white parachute. Butch then got busy unraveling a flag custom made by him and Linda in Linda’s upholstery shop. As Butch floated buoyantly towards the ground, “Al’s 80” unfurled bigger and bigger across the sky!

Photo by R. Neville

Butch masterfully steered his descent and touched down on target. The crowd greeted him with a resounding round of applause. With his feet once again on 2B2 ground, Butch made his way to the man he’d jumped to honor. He extended his hand to Al in a firm handshake of respect and gave him a big bear hug as a sign of their friendship.

Photo by R. Neville

As guests continued to arrive, Don Paquette fired up the grill for his famous hot dogs and hamburgs! Jumping in to help were Joe LaPlante, Veronique Werner, Katherine and Frank Novak, and Laura Hughes. There was grilled food on the deck and, thanks to the courtesy of some guests, delicious side dishes and desserts inside the 2B2 lounge.

Pete Scuderi, Al’s son-in-law, provided photo coverage for us for the day! His photos are featured in this blog and on our Photo Gallery (www.plumislandaerodrome.org). Pete covered the day from every angle. His photos capture the vibrant spirit of the day!

The white flag sporting “Al’s 80” was hoisted up the flagpole at the entrance of 2B2. It flapped in the wind throughout the day - keeping everyone mindful of why we were gathered on this day. We were gathered to pay tribute to Alex Hasapis.

This blog covered the event held in Alex’ honor ... My next blog will pay tribute to the man we honored on this day. So keep you eye on our 2B2 Fly By Blog!

 My special thanks to the special people who made this a great day of celebration for all:

Steve Noyes and Dick Copithorne, for giving us the 2B2 venue for the day;

Laura Hughes, Don Paquette, Katherine and Frank Novak, Joe LaPlante, and Veronique Werner, for your help in planning and pulling off this surprise celebration event, and for keeping it running smoothly all afternoon long;

Butch Crook, Linda Ducharme and the jump plane pilot, for opening the day for us by parachuting across the sky with your custom made birthday flag;

Pete Scuderi, for giving us your beautiful photo album of the day;

Denise Weir, for adding color and beauty to the day with your floral arrangement from Denise’s Flower Shop in Newburyport;

All the cooks and bakers who brought side dishes and desserts to our 2B2 table;

Dear Family and Friends, for joining us in spirit or in person at 2B2 to “tip your hat” to this remarkable man.