Sun ‘n Fun 2011 and Tornadoes

By Bee Haydu

Susan King and Bob Oehl of Wings of Dreams made it possible for the following WASP to attend the annual Sun N Fun Air Show in Lakeland, Florida. They have been doing this for a few years.  We are always given the best VIP treatment. The 99’s have a permanent building at the airport and generously invite the WASP to make it their “headquarters”.  They are exceptionally gracious hosts.

Kay Hilbradt, Penny Halberg, Bee Haydu, Shirley Kruse, Tex Meacham, Betty Jo Reed, Helen Snapp,  Janet Simpson , Liz Strohfus.

We were under the collapsed portion of the tent!

Wings of Dreams are in the process of building a hangar at Keystone Heights Airport, Florida, near Gainesville.  For  the museum they have already been awarded the Guidance & Navigation Simulator used to train astronauts  and are planning a very  large exhibit  featuring the WASP.  More about them on their website  www.wingsofdreams.org.

On Thursday, March 31^st we were invited to a special luncheon by the 99’s.   The luncheon was being catered in a large tent adjacent to the Sun N Fun Museum. We were all seated at many long tables. The caterer was starting to put out his special buffet.  The weather forecast had been for heavy thunderstorms.  Later it was revealed there were tornadoes embedded in the storms with winds 90 – 100 mph.  Suddenly black clouds started rolling in with very high winds.  A group tried to close the tent openings but the wind was too strong.  Lana Kraeszig (a 99 member ) shouted “Get under the tables”.  There were about 70 of us there. Kay Hibrandt  was having back problems that prevented her from getting completely under. When the roof  collapsed, the water was accumulating and pressing against her back.  Her niece, Marie Adase, managed to get to her and stood over her allowing the water to drain.  She remained there until we were rescued.  She was hit in the head by some flying debris but fortunately it was not serious.  Susan King pulled Janet Simpson to the floor and shielded her from debris.   An unidentified 99 member helped lower Tex Meachem to the floor and shielded her. (We would like her name.) Neither of these WASP were able to get under the table.  We were all very wet but these  women were soaked to the skin.   Bob was running all over the tent before it collapsed helping wherever he could.

It got very crowded under those tables.  Things started blowing around.  It lasted about 10 – 15 minutes.  We learned later that a tornado was embedded in the thunderstorm.  When I finally got out from under the table, I was surprised to see that a portion of  the tent was lying on  tables and when I stood up the top of the tent was on my head.  Rescuers both in the tent, strangers outside, museum volunteers came quickly to lead us out of the rubble.  One young man actually carried Liz Strohfus out.  We were next to the Museum and so made our way,  getting drenched from the falling rain.  We stayed in the museum for several hours since more storms were predicted and all roads were closed.  Extensive damage was done to the airport,  several airplanes were severely damaged, turned upside down, etc.  Trees were uprooted and flooding was everywhere.

Inside the museum we were given boxed lunches and placed in the safest part of the museum in the event more tornadoes came.

Our deepest THANKS to the many unsung heroes who did so much for us.  We wish we had all your names.

Observation:  Every WASP came out from under the tent with her pocket book.

Question for Susan and Bob:  What do you have planned for us next year?