Flabob Where The SOS Was Flowing

By David Gufstason

(AKA The Mad Bungee Jumper)

More than 3,000 people turned up on a beautiful spring-like day for the free activities at Flabob Airport in Riverside County, Calif. last month to honor America's veterans, look at airplanes and eat Spam and SOS on purpose.

The day was a busy one. The flight line quickly filled up with aircraft, including a number of pristine warbirds from the Planes of Fame Museum over the hill at Chino and Classic Rotors of Ramona Airport. A pair of F-16s did a fly-over but were too smart to try even a smash and go on the 3,200 foot runway which officially has "stray dogs" on it, according to flight guides. The T-34 Missing Man Formation also flew over.

Five bands, including one from the U.S. Navy, the Riverside bagpipe band, two groups that represented the big band era and a polka band, provided music throughout the day. There were standup comedians, impersonators of Groucho Marx, Elvis Presley and the Andrew Sisters (at least, they claimed they were impersonators).

A large number of restored military vehicles turned up, many of which were incorporated in the annual Parade of Veterans. Re-enactors staged military conflicts while local army recruiters set up six simulators of military equipment.

Five vendors served food, including a replica WW II chow hall that offered the aforementioned Spam and SOS. (If you don't know what that stands for, ask a vet. In supermarkets, they laughingly call it creamed chip beef to serve on toast and non-veterans actually buy it.)

Rides were offered all day in a three biplanes and a J-3 Cub. Proceeds from the flights will be used to keep the DC-3 "Flabob Express" flying.

The highlight of the day consisted of speeches in honor of the vets that were delivered by Major General Pat Halloran (USAF, ret.), who has more than 100 combat missions in F-84s under his belt, plus 2,200 hours in U-2s and SR-71s, and Thomas Wathen, who created the Wathen Foundation. The Foundation owns the airport and the aviation high school held there.

The programs began at 9:00 and went until dusk.

"It's been a laid back affair with an emphasis on that small town feeling," said organizer Jon Goldenbaum. "Everyone seems to have a lot of fun and no one misses the purpose of the event. The crowd grows every year and so do the activities."

Flabob will host another celebration in 2010 on Saturday, Nov. 6. For more information on activities at Flabob www.visit www.flabob.org