Helicopter restoration imminent
Project had been on hold
By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)
Friday, June 6, 2008
A Lyon County man has solved a problem and saved a bundle of money for organizers of a project to rejuvenate the helicopter at the All-Veterans’ Memorial at Soden’s Grove.
Ron Whitney, a member of the All-Veterans Memorial Association committee, announced this morning that Justin Klumpe of rural Hartford had taken on the project.
Klumpe volunteered late last month to paint the huey after comments posted to an online story revealed the problems and expenses being encountered on the project, which initially had been estimated to cost no more than $50,000. Klumpe posted his own comment, pledging his labor at no cost. Since then, the committee, helicopter crew members and Klumpe have worked out the details of the job.
Students in Michelle Barnhart’s seventh- and eighth-grade classes at Olpe began a fundraising drive last year to help defray the costs and involved the OIpe schools and the community in the effort. The group managed to raise about $500, with an additional contribution of $250 from a private citizen.
Then the overall helicopter project stalled, until Klumpe figuratively raised his hand.
“We made a lot of progress in the past several weeks,” said Ron Whitney, a Vietnam veteran who serves on the committee.
Whitney said that Klumpe is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and now serves in the Naval Reserves.
“But the real key here is he was trained in painting military aircraft,” Whitney said. “Isn’t that fantastic? ... He wants to paint it for us and put on the decals.”
The savings in labor costs will be tremendous, he said.
The committee — Whitney, chairman Frank Lowery, and city representatives Mark McAnarney and Bill Hansen — is securing the specialty paint, a lift and a spray gun that Klumpe will use when the weather cooperates.
“We’ll need several days of dry weather, where there isn’t rain forecast every-other day,” Whitney said.
“The guys from the crew are excited about it. ... Things are looking very positive right now.”
Whitney said that Klumpe’s solution not only brings a financial boon, it is far less labor-intensive than had been initially believed.
“We don’t have to pick it up off the pedestal and transport it and bring it back,” Whitney said. “This is far, far simpler; it’s far, far cheaper.”
Other contributions have come in, and with the Olpe youngsters’ money, additional funds from grants and government will not be needed.
“We’ve got everything pretty much covered financially,” he said; “even city funds are not going to be necessary at this point.”
Whitney estimated that the project now will cost less than $1,500.
Even the stencils that Klumpe will add after the paint job have been donated.
“One of the crew members was able to locate stencils for us, so there’s no expense there,” Whitney said.
Comments
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Posted by navywife (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
wow,
Words can't even begin to describe how proud I am of my husband. now, if only he would volunteer to do the laundry....
love you honey ;)
Posted by justamom (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Mr. Klumpe...you are a god send.
Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How wonderfull! God bless you Mr. Klumpe! I wondered why it couldn't be just painted where it sits. It's great what nice people and some practical thinking can accomplish.
Posted by hjcary (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for your commitment to this memorial. When we drive the 8.5hrs to Emporia each summer to visit family the first thing (after seeing grandma and grandpa of course) our boys want to see is the All Veterans Memorial.
Posted by esu42 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is an absolutely wonderful story. It's just fantastic that Mr. Klumpe was willing to donate his time and efforts to this project.
Posted by manapooh15 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow..I wish I had a brother that is willing to do such a wonderful thing like this.....wait...I DO! If I was back in Kansas, I would help you paint Bub. Take some pics of the progress and email them to me so we can see how nice it looks! Love you!
Posted by user4137aolcom (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is Ghostrider 22, the former aircraft commander of the aircraft in question. We found her two years ago, and have been fortunate enough ever since, to be able to visit Emporia and its wonderful Citizens over Memorial Day.. We have writtten numerous notes/blogs/verbiage, etc. about how proud we are of her, and how gratified with all we have faced, that she found a home on the sacred ground that the folks in Emporia created for her.
God Bless navywife, Mr. Klumpe, Create, lrrp, etc.,and all the good folks that have watched over her in the time she has been there. 68-15652, the aircraft that saved our lives, deserves the best that can be given her. The City, the Veteran's Committtee, and Mr. Klumpe, will help ensure that happens.
For the good of the great City of Emporia and its future generations to remember the sacrifices of all of us, our ship has found a home.
Our sincerest thanks and deepest appreciation to the City and the folks who live there, from all of us who flew her..
22.
Posted by tbrack (anonymous) on June 9, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
we are so proud of you son!!!! so proud that you love your country enough to help with a problem. We need more people like you!!!! We love you....mom and dad Brack
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