From Gaye Lyn
To Esta-Ann Elliott
Date 11/7/2015 12:15 PM
Subject Re: NJ visit
Hello, Esta-Ann,
How lovely to hear from you. Thank you for reaching out.
Actually, Jack did a story on me which appeared Dec 30, 1990 – WOMAN’S SOLO FLIGHT LED TO AVIATION SALES CAREER. And we did talk about someday maybe doing something [a story] on my Dad’s airline, but my life & career activities probably got in the way and I never pursued it. I’m really sorry I didn’t. But now I am. More on that in a minute.
Further back, Jack’s and my other connection is that I was publicist for the new owner of Lincoln Park Airport after Ed Gorski sold it. I created an Amelia Earhart day on Aug 23, 1980. Jack gave us pre- and post-coverage in Wings Over Jersey on Aug 17 & Aug 31. I have them in my scrap book along with my own 1990 story.
Since April of this year, I’ve been researching my Dad’s 1945 airline, Veterans Air Express. Here is the website I’ve set up to post some of my findings. www.VeteransAir.org
It has grown from research about my personal curiosity into a life of its own, as you’ll see on the site.
In my quest, months back, I had been in touch with Shea Oakley (whom I’ve never met) to see what, if anything, the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum had. He was able to provide helpful research ideas, but very little from their archives. Then I called him just this week to tell him I’m coming to NJ next week and hope to meet him personally at the Museum. That’s when Jack came up in conversation.
Reason I’m coming to New Jersey next Wednesday (11/11/2015) is to do more research…but my REAL REASON is to meet Ed Martz, 90, one of my Dad’s international cargo flight navigators. The day before in South Carolina, I will have met Thomas Cowart, 94, international flight engineer. I discovered both of these Veterans a week ago as a result of a crew manifest I found on Ancestry.com. THAT’s another and longer story.
So, Esta-Ann, now that I’ve gone on and on, I must say again how delighted I am to hear from you. Please give my friend, Jack, a hug from me. Tell him if he wishes to give me any ideas about how to go about finding some more “Jersey Boys” who crewed or maintained our DC-3’s and DC-4’s out of Newark and Teterboro between 1945 and 1947, I’d be ALL EARS. Besides, it would be terrific to be in touch. Maybe we could meet at the Hall of Fame…of which, Shea informed me, Jack is an Inductee. Well deserved for sure!!!
My best to you both,
g.
Gaye Lyn