EAA President Talks Veterans,

May 3, 2010

Tom Poberezny EAA President

Again this year, the DAV Flight Team will return to Oshkosh, Wisc., to take part in a special Salute to Veterans at EAA AirVenture 2010, scheduled for July 26-August 1. As usual, DAV has a major role during several events, including a concert by actor Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band on Friday evening, July 30.

AirVenture’s is a national partnership led by EAA, the of America and DAV. Activities will take place throughout the grounds during the week, including historic displays and educational forums.

All veterans and active military personnel who are not EAA members are eligible for a special daily AirVenture admission rate of $28 (nearly 25 percent off the regular daily price). Additionally, all DAV and DAV Auxiliary members can attend AirVenture free of charge on Friday, July 30.

EAA President , an accomplished pilot and lifelong aviation advocate, recently sat down with DAV Magazine to discuss EAA, AirVenture and the Salute to Veterans.

Tom Poberezny was first elected president of EAA in 1989. Since that time, membership in the organization has increased to 160,000 members worldwide. He assumed additional duties as EAA’s Chairman of the Board in February 2009.

During his career with EAA, Poberezny has overseen a number of the organization’s milestone events. In the late 1970s he spearheaded EAA’s first major capital campaign, which supported construction of the current EAA Aviation Center headquarters and museum complex at in Oshkosh, Wis.

In 1992, he led the creation of EAA’s , which has become the most successful aviation youth program in history. Realizing the importance of mentoring to the future of aviation, EAA aimed to give one million kids between the ages of 8 and 17 an airplane flight by the centennial of powered flight on Dec. 17, 2003. The one millionth Young Eagle was flown in October 2003, celebrating the efforts of 85,000 EAA volunteers to reach the goal. The Young Eagles Program has now flown 1.5 million young people.

And one of his most demanding roles has been chairman of the annual EAA AirVenture for more than 30 years. During that time, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, as it is now known, has grown to be the world’s largest annual general aviation event, attracting an attendance of more than 500,000 from 70 nations and 10,000 airplanes for one spectacular week every summer.

DAV: Tom, can you tell us a bit about EAA’s history?

Tom Poberezny: It was founded in January of 1953 in . My dad () and 11 other individuals got together because they were interested in building their own airplanes. They were concerned with affordability and the education needed in aviation. Today, EAA has 160,000 members worldwide. Our largest annual gathering—AirVenture Oshkosh—is regarded as one of the world’s premier aviation events. We have strong advocacy through local chapters and youth outreach. EAA was founded on the principles of family involvement, high standards, innovation and, most importantly, a passion for aviation.

DAV: Additionally, EAA has become involved in advocating for effective aviation legislation, including laws that effect FAA and TSA.

Tom Poberezny: That’s very true. There are so many things to advocate for and we have limited resources. Our primary focus is with the bureaucratic side of government, which is the FAA, and to a certain extent, the TSA. On the elective side—or political side—we deal with the House Committees and the Senate Committees on Aviation.

DAV: What is EAA’s role within the aviation industry?

Tom Poberezny: When you come to Oshkosh, you’ll find a place with the latest technology, frame design, efficiency models, electric airplanes…the list goes on and on. We are looking to create pathways to innovation but not just for large companies. We support those who see themselves as enthusiasts on the outside looking in and want to become engaged and become a pilot, builder, or owner.

DAV: Tell us about the average EAA member.

Tom Poberezny: The average EAA member covers the demographic and geographic spectrum of the United States and, for that matter, the globe. They come from all walks of life, including individual business owners and heads of large organizations to hourly workers and contractors. And that passion for airplanes is really the only thing they all have in common. One of the core missions of the organization is to create affordability for aviation. One person’s affordability may be a $1 million dollar airplane verses a $2 million airplane, or it may be a $20,000 airplane verses a $50,000 airplane. The key for us is to try and break down the barriers to enjoying aviation.

DAV: Can you talk to me about Oshkosh and AirVenture and what that means to your organization to have this massive annual gathering?

Tom Poberezny: We are very proud of the event and approach it by not saying, “It’s the world’s largest event” but by saying, “It’s the premiere aviation event.” Oshkosh has become a legacy event in innovation. We are preserving military heritage, vintage aircraft heritage and the stories of individuals who have made contributions to aviation over the years. Many people call AirVenture “Aviation’s Family Reunion.” You meet people out on the flight path that you see once a year and start sharing stories to reconnect with them.

DAV: Tell us about some of your best memories of Oshkosh.

Tom Poberezny: There are so many stories but the one that comes to mind back in 1994 we celebrated the 25th anniversary of man’s first landing on the moon. We had something like 20 of the first astronauts and Neil Armstrong was on hand. Later that evening, we had a reception in the Theatre in the Woods, which is our evening venue and is located in the woods near oAeroShell Square. We had 4 or 5,000 people show up to see speakers and entertainment. The entertainment that night was a man by the name of Myron Floren, who was an accordion player who played with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. And I thought was worried maybe we wouldn’t have the best turn out. Well, the place was packed and we had a great program. I was standing in the back of the woods, it was dark and there were people behind in the tree line. I looked to my right about five feet away and there is Neil Armstrong and his wife standing under a tree, holding hands and watching the show. And I thought to myself, “If only the people around them knew that they were standing next to the first man on the moon. “ He had on a plaid shirt and khaki’s, holding hands with his wife, leaning against a tree at 9:30 at night in Oshkosh, watching Myron Floren.

DAV: Tell us about EAA’s relationship with the U.S. military?

Tom Poberezny: Because of the nature of the site we don’t have the Navy’s or Air Force Thunderbirds because we can’t give them the clearing zones that are required for military participation. But the military hardware is an important part of AirVenture and many companies involved in the production of military hardware are represented. The community is also very strong at EAA. These aircraft are preserved by private individuals who maintain their military heritage

DAV: So it’s just not lip service for your organization to talk about honoring veterans. You have a whole branch of EAA who is specially dedicated to preservation of military aircraft. Can you tell us a little bit about why it is important to Warbirds of America?

Tom Poberezny: The Warbird community has been a part of EAA for 40 plus years, and it is recognizing the men and machines. And that is very important. The people designed them, built them, flew them and maintained them. It is our goal to keep them these Warbirds flying. What we are doing is keeping history alive and, more importantly, making those important years in our nation’s history real to many families. For a lot of veterans, it is a reminder that they are not forgotten.

DAV: For the past five years, EAA has hosted the DAV and its flight team at AirVenture. This year, EAA is partnering with DAV for a Salute to Veterans. What is the purpose and some of the highlights of the event?

Tom Poberezny: The men and women of DAV and the men and women you represent are very special to me and all of EAA. They are veterans who have made an incredible sacrifice and put their country and mission ahead of all else. When you meet members of the DAV, what you find is their sense of honor and duty. None of this has been changed by their injury. So we are excited about the Salute to Veterans and the participation by DAV. We are thrilled that you are joining us in our mission to honor all veterans. This event will include special displays, educational forums for veterans and, of course, an appearance by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. This all ties in with our sub-theme, which is the 75th anniversary of the DC-3, one of the many historical airplanes within the military inventory.

DAV: A few years ago you had an opportunity to meet Gary Sinise and see the band when he came up to Oshkosh with DAV. What was that experience like?

Tom Poberezny: First, the show is great. He has a great group of musicians who are very energetic, and play a wide variety of music that I love and enjoy. The band was here during the day before the show, and I joined them for dinner at our guest relations facility. I had never met Mr. Sinise or the band members before, but they were very friendly and enthusiastic about sharing stories about concerts in support of our military. What I found out about Gary Sinise is that he is doing it for one reason—his dedication and his support for the military, veterans and especially those disabled veterans who are supported by the DAV.

DAV: With so much being packed into AirVenture 2010, can you tell us what you are looking forward to the most?

Tom Poberezny: For me, this is a very people-oriented event. We will have the unique planes as we always do, but we will be hosting some wonderful people—the DAV, several Medal of Honor recipients and other veterans, many who are tied to some very famous historic aircraft. When I look at the list of activities, it just reinforces to me the essence of EAA and the magic of Oshkosh. To me, it’s more emotion than anything else…emotion and excitement. When someone can say they have been doing this for 35 years and it is still as exciting as it was on day one, it says a lot about the event.