Hello fellow patriots.

How would you like to be part of a feel-good story and help a disabled veteran as he transitions from the military and pursues his dream of becoming a professional pilot?

I know a young man who served four years in the Air Force as a gunner on the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. He would still be serving but due to a medical condition was forced to separate. He was heartbroken but is making the best of it as he transitions to the next phase of his life. He is currently attending college, pursuing a private pilot's license, and working a full-time job to support his family.

Fortunately, his college tuition is covered by the GI Bill as will be his advanced pilot training once he completes his private pilot's license (PPL). Unfortunately, private pilot license training is not covered by the GI Bill. This young man has been taking his training for about a year now and is so close to completing it. The pandemic and rising inflation have really had a serious impact on his ability to pay for the necessary flight time required. The longer it takes the more costly it is, and the fuel costs are staggering. He tells me that each flight costs him between $500 and $600! And sometimes those flights can end up not counting if the objectives aren’t met due to weather or other factors.

He is so close to satisfying the requirements for his check ride but estimates he could require another five to ten flights since there are so many variables involved. Once he completes his check ride and receives his license, he will move straight into the next phase of training required to become a professional commercial pilot which will be paid for by the GI Bill.

This is where we come in. If you would like to help this young man, I know that any amount would be appreciated. I plan to personally continue to support him on his journey.

In full disclosure, I happen to know this young man very well as he is my son Jackson. I’m so proud of Jackson and all that he has accomplished in his young life as an airman, husband, and father. I look forward to the day that I’m on a flight and hear over the intercom “Ladies and gentlemen, from the flight deck, this is your captain, Jackson McDonald speaking. Welcome aboard.”