Editor,

This past weekend the PBY Memorial Foundation’s PBY-5A Catalina aircraft moved from Whidbey Island Naval Air Sation’s Seaplane Base to a new aircraft display area across from the PBY-Naval Air Museum on Southeast Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor.

This unique community event culminated from months of planning and cooperation among a broad cross-section of North Whidbey communities and thousands of hours of volunteer time preparing for and executing the move.

As our plane moved along Oak Harbor’s streets during the foggy wee hours Sunday morning, the sense of “community” was palpable among volunteers and spectators. Talk to anyone who was there, I am sure that they will tell you that it was a special once-in-a-lifetime event.

Space limits this letter to a simple listing of government agencies, organizations, businesses and military commands to whom we are deeply indebted and grateful for their support in making this experience possible.

Government and military entities included the Oak Harbor Fire Department, Oak Harbor Streets Department, Oak Harbor Police Department, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, NAS Whidbey, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 Squadrons, Electronic Attack Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet Squadrons, Naval Facilities Command Northwest, and Naval Shipyard Bremerton.

Major financial support was provided by Island Thrift and the Confidence Foundation of South Pasadena, Calif.

Materials and services were provided by many businesses, including Concrete Nor’West, ACE Hardware of Oak Harbor, McDonalds of Oak Harbor, Faber Cranes, LLC of Mount Vernon, Diamond Rentals, Relentless Publishing, Frontier Communications, Puget Sound Energy, Wells Fargo Bank Pioneer Way branch, Doran Fencing, Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle, Captured Moments, Whidbey Moving and Storage, Honeymoon Bay Coffee, and Mariners Haven.

Finally, there are the dedicated volunteers who unselfishly gave their time and energy to make a dream reality. If you are interested in volunteer work, it is hard to imagine a more hard-working and fun group to join.

People like them are the heart of any community and, in turn, they give our community heart. Check them out at the PBY-Naval Air Museum.

Wil Shellenberger, president

PBY Memorial Foundation