On Tuesday, my best friend, fellow Army Guardsman and American Airlines pilot, passed away unexpectedly. Zachary Dickinson was someone who was always in a great mood, and I loved being around him because he always made me laugh and lifted me up. Everything in the cockpit always came so easy to him and I strived to mirror his talent, intellect, and above all his kindness. He was one of the best pilots I’ve ever flown with. 

Zach joined the Army at age 17 and quickly moved up the ranks in aviation. He was determined, talented, and professional, yet was the funniest person I’ve ever been around. He was still serving the WV Army National Guard flying C12s as an Instructor Pilot. He landed his dream job as an American Airlines 737 First Officer in January of 2019. The only thing he was more passionate about than flying was his family and friends. His wife, Archana and son Zane, were his shining light. Everything he did, he did for them.

Please keep Zach, his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. Though you may not know me, I’m a phone call away if you ever need to talk to someone. We don’t have to go through life alone nor do we have to keep pain inside of us.

The benefits collected from this campaign will be collected by me. Any money that I personally collect will be used directly for memorial expenses outside of what is covered by the military, a scholarship fund through rtag.org (Rotary To Airline Group) and if enough is left over I would like to create a trust for Zach's son.

Forever blue skies and tailwinds,

Kevin Herlihy