We met the plane at Nevada County Airport. John offered me the left seat of the 210 turbo plane. OK, not because I can just jump in a left seat and fly – he’s an instructor pilot and can. A pretty darn good instructor pilot.
I did as he said, slowly increased power and rotated at 55-60 kts. Pretty smooth. Woo hoo.
We headed to Sac Executive. And he guided me re approach and even landing. We had quite a sink rate so added a little power. He helped a little bit, o.k. a lot, more the last 5 seconds and we did a kiss the ground landing. Wowser.
We taxied in and met Jim, who was going to drive us in the parade, and his wife Dawn. They had brought coffee and breakfast muffins, breads, scones so we liked them very much right away. Seriously – nice folks.
So we got in the Cadillac – General Yeager, Jim, John, and I. Dawn was off to SF. For now, the top was up.
Your chariot awaits, General!
We headed on surface streets to the Crocker Museum, the staging ground for the parade. Gen Yeager commented on how great the clutch was. Jim has about 8 antique Cadillacs and about the same number of other antique cars.
Kinda fun.
We got to the park outside the Crocker and met our contact: Vincene, an extraordinary woman, very energetic, very giving, bright, funny.
We helped Jim open the convertible top. Everything is manual – cars didn’t start having power gears, steering, windows until after the war. My father used to have a 1949 Cadillac convertible – very stylish – all power – windows, convertible top, steering, gears.
Classy people with Classy Car
Jim had the foresight to bring a blanket for our legs. Jim drove, John rode shotgun – watching out for us. Very cool. I think he enjoyed riding in the car with us, too. Before we got in, we took a few photos with Victorian homes in the background. Nice.
Jim had gotten a flag with one star on it – and draped it with a few flags on the front. One of Vincene’s volunteers put signs on the car – General Chuck Yeager, Grand Marshall. We were dressed and ready.
Lots of people came up to the car to get a photo with General Yeager. Or to shake his hand. Lots of parents brought their kids. Lots of veterans came out.
The guys from the Aerospace Museum said hello from Roxanne, who heads it, and mentioned they were having a Veterans Day celebration there – free hot dogs. So I turned to John – hmmm. Free hot dogs. He smiled, in on the joke, and said yes, sounds good – we could hop over there in the plane…Free.
Of course, the cost of fuel, it would have been a $100 hot dog! But free – ha ha.
We drove down Capitol Mall. People were waving hands or flags and calling out: Thank you, General Yeager!
It was so heartwarming. I waved at people and was able to look into almost everyone’s eyes. Anyone who seemed to be a veteran, I thanked. Those who weren’t I thanked for coming out. And waved to them all. Some were so thrilled – kids, adults, all.
After we got to the end of the Mall, we drove on a back road to the stage and watched the rest of the parade – bands, corvettes, an airplane from the Aerospace Museum of California, an army vehicle, a Boy Scout troop, a Cub Scout troop – those little kids were “too cool” to smile back at me – funny!
We met Congresswoman Doris Matsui. What a powerhouse! Bright, well-spoken. Then we met several of the local Tuskegee Airmen. They were thrilled to meet General Yeager.
I asked if they wanted some coffee. As we weren’t close to a restroom, some opted out. Vincene had had a station set up for the VIPs for coffee. I got the coffee for the two who wanted it – handed it off to a volunteer to give the Congresswoman and the Tuskegee Airman – and did a recce. When I came back, I grabbed some fruit from the VIP stand. Someone said, “Those are for VIPs.” I didn’t pay attention. The woman repeated it. I suddenly realized she was talking to me and looked up.
I smiled: “I’m Mrs. Yeager-“
Oh. She apologized, said, “You’re fine,” and tried to explain. I said: “You’re doing a great job! Thanks! I would have done the same.”
Now she was smiling in wonder.
I went back to the stage, informed Gen Yeager of the restrooms nearby – so he decided the coffee would be fine and would warm him up.
We chatted with people on the street. One of the volunteers had not eaten yet at all that day so I pulled out one of the cakes from the back of the Cadillac. He was most appreciative – but saved some for later.
I went back to the stage – & suggested they get started before the crowd dissipated. I gave up my seat to Congresswoman Matsui so she could sit next to Gen Yeager.
Dana Howard, a former local newscaster, introduced Yvette Gauff who sang the Star Spangled Banner. Outstanding.
I helped one of the Tuskegee Airman to his feet.
Congresswoman Doris Matsui gave an inspiring talk thanking Veterans. She then said, “I have the great honor of introducing General Chuck Yeager.”
They gave a warm hug and General Yeager took the podium. He gave a brief review of his history and then said, “I am honored to represent veterans today as the Grand Marshall of the Sacramento Veterans Day Parade. Thank you!”
He shared the attention on him and made the day about Veterans. It was beautiful and most appreciated by the veterans and the Tuskegee Airman present.
Several other speakers: one Army, one Navy – both of whom had fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. One said it was interesting to be bombed on New Year’s Eve.
Dana clarified – he meant literally!
I had gone around to the audience and took a few photos. I watched one fellow who had a baby on his back. That kid was hilarious. He was paying close attention to the speeches, then to his Dad’s hair. Then he put his head in his hands with an agonized look like the speaker really made a gaffe.
Assemblymember Roger Dickinson talked about how we should thank the veterans not just today but every day – we are able to have free speech because of these veterans.
Assemblymember Dr. Richard Pan, pediatrician, also spoke eloquently about how much we all appreciate veterans and how we owe them so much!
One of the Tuskegee Airmen told me they needed help to get back to their cars or they could get a taxi. I said I’d handle it – and found Vincene. She said: “Already done.”
Me: I knew that! And smiled.
Vincene pointed: See that bus?
Me: Got it.
I returned to the stage and reassured the Airmen.
The program ended with Yvette singing “God Bless the USA”. First though, she talked about how much she appreciates veterans and how she hoped she got through the song without tearing up which she usually does.
Halfway through, she invited us to sing along. I kept tearing up the whole day including during the song, as I was singing. 
After this, we said hello and goodbye to everyone on the stage. One of the Tuskegee Airmen told me he flew the P-51. When I said, “Of course! Very cool!”, he replied – “Not like your husband though!” We both smiled.
General Yeager stayed and took photos with all the veterans who wanted. Vincene helped us – the tall guy with the kid on his back and 2 daughters came up. Jason, Jo-jo, and he said the names of the girls – Nyla, and can’t remember – but it was cool.
As they surrounded General Yeager for the photo, Gen Yeager said to the first daughter: Look at that hair!
Then the second one came – she had two pigtails – even more wild hair. It was super.
Vincene took Jason’s camera to take the photo and said to him: “Three kids? Stop!” It was hilarious.
Jason laughed – very attractive family. I told him about Young Eagles – youngeagles.org – for his kids.
Then the next family came up – they had 10 kids. Vincene took the camera and said: “STOP!”
After the photo, General Yeager pulled the father and mother aside and said: You know what is causing that, right?” (meaning kids). We all laughed.
Several more photos with more people and groups, and we were finished, just as the rain was threatening. John had checked the aviation weather and had suggested to Jim he put the roof on the convertible just in time. A few drops of rain were starting as we got in the now covered car.
John and Jim talked about the people they headed off – ones who looked a little bit like “stalker” material.
We decided we were hungry – I had seen some interesting restaurants on our way from the airport. Jim suggested a few places. First one was closed. Second one – pizza – was open and good.
Some people listened in to our conversation and thanked Gen Yeager for his service. We watched a little kid (under 16 mos for sure) dancing to the music. First with his arms – then he decided he needed a little leg action so he bounced to the music. Dancing With The Stars is probably next. Ha ha.
Jim drove us to the airport. John put me in the left seat again and after we took the active, gave me the controls.
I forgot what the rotate speed was so the airplane rotated on its own. I thought it might be early – it wasn’t & John was ready and guided me. For some reason I had 100 in my head. Not even close.
So John gave me climb speed, altitudes, direction. I followed his guidance.
We got on upwind for 7, crosswind, downwind, base, final…had to add power – downdrafts and heavy nose….pointed nose at the numbers, kept pointing, then flared and floated. John helped thank goodness and we got down with another kissing the ground. Super!
I had to get us back from the left side to the center line. Which I did without problem.
As we cleared the runway, John took the controls, taxied in, parked, and shut down the plane.
We exited, gave John a signed photo and a big thank you. It was a fun day had by all.
c. PMN III
