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Save
Our Flying Heritage |
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The Save Our Flying Heritage (SOFH) is a
non-profit public educational foundation filed under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS. The Organization is dedicated
to presenting the Army Aviation story to the American people through
narrated, patriotic flying presentations and static displays of the actual
aircraft and equipment used by the men and women who served in Army
Aviation. This is accomplished through the acquisition, restoration,
and maintenance of historic flyable army aviation aircraft representing Army
Aviation (Vietnam to present). The Mission The SOFH is a national, one-of-a-kind non-profit all-volunteer
organization composed of veterans, their families, and civilian supporters
and is acting to connect the American soldier to the American public as an
active, accepted, and admired member of the American family by presenting the
story of Army Aviation and the American soldier. The SOFH is providing
America an opportunity to hear its veterans share their stories and see its
military legacy in flight and in action. The Method To
best share the legacy of the Army and Army Aviation with the American public,
the members of the SOFH have chosen to take the story TO the American people,
versus having the people come to them, through extensive and elaborate use of
its historic flyable Army aircraft fleet in "living history"
programs presents at major public venues, such as air shows, and at numerous
other smaller community outreach initiatives. The Need Few
military branches have had a dynamic a growth and development as Army
Aviation, yet it’s heritage and the professionals
who made this history are little known or recognized. Further, the various
types of historic Army Aviation aircraft are rapidly disappearing,
they are being given to foreign governments or sold for scrap. Finally, there
is a present generation of young Americans who have no first hand knowledge
on the contributions of these sky soldiers and their aircraft. When their
aircraft are gone and their stories left untold, their legacy will remain
forever unknown to the American people. The Organization In
2009, the SOFH was organized by a group of concerned citizens and veterans to
improve the public’s awareness of Army Aviation and it’s
Veterans. Utilizing flyable historic Army Aviation aircraft, the SOFH tell
the story of Army Aviation to the public through country-wide education
presentations. To
secure the long-term success of this "first-of-a-it's-kind"
organization, the organization has: 1.
Incorporated as a Non-Profit Domestic Corporation, in October, 2009. 2.
Received I.R.S. approval as a 501 (c)(3)
public educational organization. (Donations of money and equipment are fully
deductible under IRS guidelines). 3.
Qualified to receive Federal surplus property and supplies through the
Federal Surplus Program. Aircraft The
Organization is constantly on the search to obtain examples of historic Army
Aviation aircraft. These aircraft are acquired and maintained solely as a
"means" to tell the Army Aviation story to the American public. To
date, the SOFH has been successful in acquiring both fixed-wing and rotary
aircraft, representing the eras from World War II, Korea, Vietnam to present.
Some of the aircraft have already been restored to "show quality"
condition, while others are waiting their turn for full restoration as funds
become available. Aircraft Preservation One
of the unique functions of the SOFH is to obtain, restore and maintain in
flyable condition, examples of historic aircraft representing Army Aviation
from Vietnam to present. No other known educational organization is totally
dedicated to preserving only flyable U.S. Army Aviation aircraft for future
generations of American to experience. Following
acquisition of an aircraft, the SOFH has four primary tasks:
The
Save Our Flying Heritage understands that
today’s soldiers and their families are watching how America treats her
veterans. We are using veteran aviators and veteran aircraft to inspire
Americans of all generations and ensure that our Nation’s military legacy and
heritage of service are never forgotten. |
