Why? The Jake Parrish Memorial FLY-BY
Noah McCullough-97---
Back in the olden days when Eula Heath was Chapter 59 President, she was determined to increase the level and number of chapter members. Starting with "almost" monthly Chapter Fly-Ins at Heathrow International for pancake breakfasts or hamburger suppers, the Chapter numbers and members' enthusiasm began to ascend.
During this period, Jake Parrish, a Chapter 59 member and a two plane aircraft builder, was taken from us by cancer. Eula had an idea that the Chapter should honor Jake's name by recognizing any member who had completed construction of (and flown) either a homebuilt or a total restoration of a factory airplane. After all, it's usually the only reward a builder/restorer EVER receives for the effort other than personal satisfaction. Her plan was to recognize members who had qualified during the calendar year by presenting those members with an award at the Annual Awards Banquet. That award would be called the "Jake Parrish Keep Em Flying" award. In addition, the members name, aircraft type, N-number, and date of 1st flight would be engraved on a plate to be affixed to a permanent plaque to be maintained by the Chapter President and exhibited at the Annual Awards Banquet.
After the first banquet with "Keep'Em Flying" awards, another idea came to Eula: why not have a "Jake Parrish Memorial Fly-by" on (or close to) his birthday of February 13th to keep his memory fresh. Chapter 59 members have completed seventeen (17) consecutive Jake Parrish Memorial Fly-bys since that first fly-by in 1982. The next Jake Parrish Memorial Fly-by will take place on February 13 or the nearest Sunday at 1400 hours.
Over the years we have lost other Chapter members and have modified the fly-by to include a short prayer and roll call of the fallen members in order to keep their memories fresh as well.
It is a Chapter 59 TRADITION
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Pencil sketch by John T. Williams for the 8th Annual "Jake Parrish
Memorial Fly-By" in honor of Jake.
First fly-by was in 1982