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The Connection Military Aircraft Give to Families

The size of the C-124 is impressive as it was designed to carry military gear such as tanks and trucks without disassembling them. Museum of the US Air Force
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Key Takeaways:

  • Military aircraft often serve as powerful family touchstones, preserving memories and connecting generations to loved ones and their historical experiences.
  • Nate Wilburn developed a deep fondness for the C-124 Globemaster II ("Old Shaky") through his father Claude's vivid stories of riding the unpressurized cargo plane during his military service.
  • Personal encounters with the C-124 in museums, including a shared visit with his father, solidified Nate's connection, with aviation now serving as a lasting reminder of his father's legacy and their shared passion.
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Sometimes an aircraft, especially a military aircraft, is a touchstone for families. It doesn’t matter if the loved one was the pilot of the airplane or even a member of the flight crew. What matters is that they have a fond memory of the airplane, and when they share it with their family, the airplane becomes part of their family story. These airplanes are an anchor point in history and help bring us closer to our loved ones—especially after they have gone west.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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