POLICE/MILITARY VETERANS TO SKYDIVE AND RIDE HOT AIR BALLOONS AS TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS FRIDAY MORNING AT MIDDLETOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT

To kick off the MidFirst Ohio Challenge air festival in Middletown, Ohio, Team Fastrax
Skydivers and local balloon pilots Michael Gliatti, Brian Trapp and Sean Askren are teaming up to pay tribute to our military veterans.

About 7:10 am Friday, July 18, 2008, Military veterans and Middletown Police Officers Eric Crank and Wayne Birch will jump out of an airplane over Middletown Regional Airport in tandem jumps with Team Fastrax.  Once on the ground they will  be presented with certificates of appreciation by John Guinn from www.thethankyoufoundation.org before they then climb into the baskets of hot air balloons and take to the skies for the serenity of a hot air balloon ride.

Officer Eric Crank is a veteran of both the Army and Navy with service in Panama and the Western Pacific, reaching the rank of Sergeant before ending his military service and joining the Middletown Police Department where he serves as Crime Prevention Officer.  He is now a 14 year veteran police officer.

Officer Wayne Birch also rose to the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Hood Texas with action in Operation Desert Storm. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star for his service. He joined the Middletown Police Department 16 years ago and is the department’s Warrant Officer.

Also joining in the skydiving/balloon riding event is Vietnam veteran Brad Morris who served with the U S Marine Corp. Other Middletown Police/military veterans who will join in on the balloon flight only.

Later on Friday, the MidFirst Ohio Challenge hot air balloon festival will begin a three day run in Smith Park, adjacent to the airport.

MidFirst Ohio Challenge is a complete festival wrapped around hot air balloon competition and skydiving demonstrations. Festival dates are Friday, July 18, 4-10:30pm, Saturday, July 19, Noon-10:30pm, and Sunday Noon-8pm. Admission is $5 per carload or $2 per adult walk-in – children under 13 are free with adults. For a full schedule of events visit www.MidFirstOhioChallenge.com.

Jump/Balloon Schedule:

6:00 am Tandem jumpers show up at Start Skydiving at the Warren County Airport to fill out paperwork and gear up.

6:50 am Plane takes off from Warren County Airport with Jumpers

7:10 am Tandem jumpers exit the airplane over Hook Field

7:15 am Tandem jumpers land at Hook Field in front of the FBO Office on the airport. (And/or US Flag Jump)

7:20 am Media interviews.

7:30 am Balloons launch from Hook Field with the passengers.

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Ann Mort

513-649-4506

RMort@cinci.rr.com