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Valentine Updates


The T-6 “Warbird Ride” ACV fundraiser on April 25, 2009 was inspired by John Valentine to honor the memory of his dad, Navy Seal Tom Valentine.


It was a beautiful spring day at the Hampton Roads Executive Airport in Chesapeake, Virginia on Saturday, April 25th.  Andy Gibbs, the owner of the airport, graciously donated his facility for our event.

The free ride in the T-6 Texan Warbird was won by Campbell Shiflett, age 15, and was flown by pilot Mike Spaulding who owns the aircraft. Thank you Mike for the donation of your plane and gas for the event! It was truly exciting!

Andy Gibbs had also planned to give one free helicopter ride and others for $20. Unfortunately he was sick but he promised a rain check for the winner, Carson Williamson, of Virginia Beach. Thanks Andy! Get well soon!

One of our very special Angel Flight pilots, David Brown, provided a free ride in his Beech Bonanza for another lucky winner, David Hawley, who is also one of our faithful volunteers. He was accompanied on the flight by Terry Zachary, wife of Navy Chaplain Steve Zachary. David, thank you also for contributing your time, plane and gas for our event.

$2,500 was raised at the event and will be used to provide free air transportation for qualified wounded warriors and/or their adversely affected family members who need long-distant medical attention.

Complementary lunches were provided through the generosity of the following popular local eateries:

  • Subway at 865 Great Bridge Blvd in Chesapeake
  • Subway at 4801 Shore Drive in Virginia Beach
  • Subway at 3809 Shore Drive in Virginia Beach
  • Subway at 2817 Shore Drive in Virginia Beach
  • Zero’s at 21st St & Atlantic Ave in Virginia Beach
  • Chick-fil-a at 1018 N. Main St in Suffolk
  • Quizno’s at 4701 Shore Drive in Virginia Beach
  • Jason’s Deli at 4554 VB Blvd in Virginia Beach
  • Atlanta Bread Co at 675 Phoenix Drive in Virginia Beach
  • Costco at  850 Glenrock Road in Norfolk
  • McDonald’s on Volvo Parkway in Chesapeake
  • Wal-Mart at 657 Phoenix Drive in Virginia Beach
  • Wal-Mart at 2021 Virginia Beach Blvd in Virginia Beach
  • Sam’s Club at 3345 Virginia Beach Blvd in Virginia Beach


Thank you, everything was delicious

Thank you to our ACV Staff and volunteers for all of their hard work to make John Valentine’s event a success!

Meet eight year old John Valentine! John is a special Air Compassion for Veterans (ACV) official representative. John is so passionate about the free air transportation ACV provides for wounded warriors and their adversely affected family members that he has personally raised over $6,000 for ACV in honor and in memory of father, Navy Seal Tom Valentine, who gave his life for his country in 2008.

At our fundraiser, Halos & Heroes, in October, John was surprised when we had arranged for Jerry Yagen, owner of the “Warbird” Airport and Museum in Pungo, to give him a ride in a P-51 Mustang! What a thrill for John and excitement for all of us who were watching the event from the tarmac.

John was so thrilled, that he decided to share his experience by announcing at the USO Christmas Party, his new fundraising project for 2009. This Christmas idea will give others the opportunity to win a free “Warbird” plane ride by donating $5 per ticket for the chance. Click on the “Win a free “Warbird” plane ride” link to read more about this great chance to win an exciting “Warbird” airplane ride and support our wounded warriors at the same time.

Pretty impressive accomplishment for such a youngster!
Congratulations John and Thank You! from all of us at Air Compassion for Veterans.