P-51 MUSTANG AND RUFUS DYE JR.

My good friend, John Burkhardt (one of my “adopted fathers” and Vietnam Veteran with one helluva story) who I’ve done a lot of military events with, both in the non-profit sector as well as with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 1919, called me and said he had someone he’d like me to meet and interview on camera. A few days later, I drove out to Burnet, TX (an hour NorthWest of Austin) and was introduced to a really great group of people that run a non-profit called Freedom Flyers. There were some beautiful vintage planes in the hangar in silver, yellow and brightly colored logos on the sides. I met my photographer (Jim “JC” Connors) and the FF crew and then I met a new hero of mine.

Rufus Dye Jr. was a Fighter Pilot on a P-38 “Lightning” plane while serving in World War II.

On September 8, 1944, Rufus had been ordered to conduct a late mission in the evening in Germany. While in flight, Rufus noticed his wingman had separated himself and realized his plane was on fire. He knew his only option was to bail out. When he did so, he hit the tail of the plane injuring both ankles and his back but despite his injuries, was very fortunate because the plane exploded just after.

He parachuted down into a potato field about a quarter of a mile away from a large mass of retreating German troops. Rufus was sure he’d been spotted and was certain the troops saw the plane explosion. Crawling out to the nearest road, Rufus caught a break when a young Frenchman on a bicycle passed by. Rufus stopped the young man, struck a deal with him and was peddled into town and to safety where he was joined with some British troops. After a month of recovery, Rufus was sitting in a café enjoying some pastries and wine and his wingman and unit came walking down the street. They thought they’d seen a ghost as none of them had seen Rufus bail out, only the explosion. Re-united with his men, Rufus recovered and went on to serve another 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, both in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

What a HERO. I have worked very closely with military from all branches for years now but have such a deep respect for this generation. They didn’t have the technology and communication that our troops are blessed with today. They are the foundation of our U.S. Military and have taught the American public the RIGHT way to treat and take care of our troops.

I was excited and humbled. A gentleman in full ACU’s greeted me and I later found out this was Rufus’ son, Col Michael Dye (active duty and on his THIRTY-FOURTH year of service). What a legacy the Dye family has and is continuing to create!)…

Rufus Dye came in with his walking cane although he gets around pretty well so I’m not sure the cane isn’t just a fun accessory ;)

One thing I will say about Rufus… He gives the best hugs. And he likes Texas women. Okay, I’ll say more than one thing about Rufus J It was by far the most fun interview I’ve done on camera. He not only has stories for weeks but he also is just so genuine and truly loves life.

I thought for a while about the questions I’d ask him, however, once the cameras started rolling, the impromptu session started. He loves life, he loves flying, he likes dancing, and he’d do it all again.

When I started to ask more about the plane he was about to take a ride in (P-51 Mustang) I found out he hasn’t been up in one in almost 4 decades. He started talking about “her” being “beautiful” and he couldn’t wait to get back up there and push that throttle forward and just “take off”. It was a love affair gone by that we were about to re-ignite. Even this serious combat war hero couldn’t hide his ear-to-ear grin.

The engine was LOUD, and even from inside the hangar you could feel the vibrations. It was a gorgeous silver bird with red tips on the front, back and wings and the passenger canopy was clear glass. When Rufus returned after about 15 minutes, the smile was even brighter than before.

In the post-interview, Rufus told me he didn’t want to return and was so thankful for the opportunity to get back up in the air. He said being up there reminded him of World War 2, of Korea and Vietnam. What a great day for Rufus and Freedom Flyers but most of all for me! To be able to see, meet and capture this great event was truly so humbling.

Click here to see the video of Rufus Dye’s Freedom Flyers P-51 Mustang flight and interview.

CARRY THE LOAD- AUSTIN

When did Memorial Day become more about mattress sales than honoring our Nation's fallen heroes?

Join us for a Memorial Day to Remember. The Austin Memorial March is an opportunity to honor our country's fallen heroes in a signature event for the entire family.

Carry The Load Austin

This year, I carried PFC Matthew England. I never met this brave young man, but his best friend has become one of the most important people in my life, SPC Charlie Lemon. Charlie lost both of his legs in the same attack that took his best friend, Matthew's life. When I see how full of a life Charlie is living I know it's because he wants to do it for Matthew. I also know that it would take a lot more than losing two limbs to slow this tenacious man down. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about these two young men and all that they have given so I can live the life I do. I also think of the hardships Charlie & his family have gone thru and come out warriors. I think about Matthew and his AWESOME mom, Pamela. God Bless you, We are with you. Home of the Free because of Matthew. Brave Rifles, Blood & Steel!
Please take a few minutes to read these words from Matthew's mom, Pamela:

This is a tribute to my son, Matthew Joseph England,, who was killed in action in An Najah province, Iraq when enemy forced attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd squadron, 3d Armored Calvary regiment Ft Hood Texas. 
My Matthew was an Ozark Mountain boy raised in the rural southern Missouri area near the town of Gainesville by me (his mother) and his step-father. Matthew’s extended family includes his natural father, paternal grandfather, aunts and uncles in Tennessee as well as his maternal grandmother and other family members in Alabama. Matthew attended school at Lutie R-6 accelerated school in Theodosia, MO where he was in the Honors Society and graduated as salutatorian. He got his first job at the age of sixteen and had been gainfully employed since that date. In addition to serving in the US Army Matthew was working hard at earning his college degree.

Matthew had set some lofty goals for his future. His “dream job” had always been to someday fly military aircraft; it did not matter what kind of aircraft, as long as he could pilot something. He had hoped his commanding officers would someday see fit to nominate him for Warrant Officer Flight School. If that was not to be, Matthew’s backup plan was equally ambitious. He would remain serving in the military until graduating from college in hopes that a college degree, coupled with his experience as a veteran soldier, would be enough to entice the CIA into allowing him a shot at joining their coveted ranks. It did not necessarily have to be as a covert agent—a position sitting in a cubicle in front of a computer analyzing data would have been just fine. He was a whiz at computers. 

But his life was far from being all seriousness. When home in the Ozarks Matthew enjoyed the lakes in the summertime, especially when getting a thrill by jumping from the tops of the bluffs (young person craziness). In the colder months he fervently wished for snow to fall deep enough to allow him break out his snowboard. While stationed at Ft. Hood where there was little chance of going snowboarding, he substituted his snowboard with a skateboard and quickly came to enjoy that sport. The big adventure he was waiting anxiously to do after his tour was over was to learn to skydive. He spent the past year trying to entice his stepdad (a former army paratrooper) into returning to the skies to take lessons. Matthew loved music of all kinds, especially classic rock, and was a fan of movies. Matthew was a “muscle car” enthusiast. He owned two Camaros—a 1984 Z-28 given to him on his 16th birthday by his stepdad and me and a 1993 Z-28 he bought on his own. He was saving his money to buy a brand new Dodge Challenger.

Matthew England was a proud, dedicated soldier who was intelligent and witty and driven. He was a good friend to those deserving. He especially cherished the bond developed with those fellow soldiers with whom he served side by side. Those young fighting men—many of whom I feel I know personally—are true friends, evident by their genuine posts on Matthew’s Facebook page and their heartfelt correspondences with me. My husband is a former soldier and he mentioned so many times the camaraderie that exists between soldiers; I now truly understand. 

I think back over the life I spent with Matthew…it went by so quickly yet was filled with so many wondrous things! I could write forever about him in this dedication but I will end with this…PFC Matthew Joseph England was my loving son…and to me, he was simply awesome. 

Pamela Hengen
Proud mother of PFC Matthew J. England

RIP Matthew!

SSG BOBBY HENLINE

STAFF SERGEANT BOBBY HENLINE

I first met Bobby at a Humor for Heroes event in San Antonio, Texas in April, 2012. He was emcee'ing the event which was a comedy show benefitting an incredible organization called Wish For Our Heroes (www.wishforourheroes.org).

A burn survivor with visible scars and hilarious (although sometimes slightly awkward) jokes. He commanded the show and touched the audience easily. After the show a small group of us continued to hang out and knew we'd be friends.

Later that year, I featured Bobby on my "The Real Heroes" show on ESPN Austin and we talked about what happened...

His story:
Bobby was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm by age 19 and decided to give up the uniform for a "normal life" and family. However, when the attacks on September 11, 2001 occurred, Bobby re-enlisted in the Army and deployed to Iraq three times with the 82nd Airborne Division and 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment.
On April 7, 2007, Bobby's Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb just north of Baghdad. Bobby was the only man of five that survived that attack.
Over 38% of his body was burned and his head burned to the skull.
The road ahead was going to be a long one as he spend six months in the hospital fighting for his life and within two years, his left hand was amputated. To day, he has had more than 3 dozen surgeries.
In August, 2009 on a particularly difficult day, Bobby pinky swore with his occupational therapist that he would try stand-up comedy in Las Angeles next time he was in town for an appointment. It wasn't too long after that that Bobby had found a new passion and the "well-done comedian" was born!
Bobby believes God kept him alive for a reason. He believes his mission is to help create awareness for burn survivors, to inspire people to live life to the fullest and to heal others through his story and laughter.

Bobby and I did become good friends and spend a lot of time teaming up to share his story and give back to the military community. We emcee'ed an event called "Red, White and You" in Indy on Labor Day this year and it was so fun to watch the crowd respond to him and you could see how touched they were with his tenacity and humor.

- "Red, White & You" Aug, 2013

 In July of 2013, he came to another "Humor for Heroes" but this time he was performing at the event at Floores Country Store in Helotes, TX. In line with a tradition that Floores has had for many years, they let him hang his combat boots on the ceiling. While the "hanging museum" typically includes cowboy boots and from the likes of: Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Dwight Yoakam, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, B.B. King, Little Richard and even a pair of John Wayne’s boots, now Bobby Henline’s jump boots hang there with Grassbaugh, Emolo, Hoover and McCandless (his fallen comrades) names on them. It was an incredible evening.

 -Floores Country Store, July 2013

I also had the privilege of helping get Bobby recognized at the Dallas Stars Military Appreciation night in Dallas. He went out on the ice before the game started. He received a big Texas-sized standing ovation and had TIME magazine following him around capturing the night and his weekend. Another very proud moment.

This year, the Austin LIVESTRONG Marathon chose 26 charities as beneficiaries of the huge event. Bobby not only drove all night from College Station where he was performing the night before, but he stayed up and volunteered with another non-profit organization, The Comfort Crew for Military Kids. We were up at 5am yelling at runners participating in the race. Yes, yelling... Just random stuff like "periwinkle" and "do a good job". We got a lot of laughs but that's what you do with Bobby Henline. Not only are you in awe and honored to speak with this incredible person, but you're humbled by how strong, yet sensitive he is. Later that morning, Bobby got up in front of the military tent and read a letter he had written to his daughter. Deployment, service and sacrifice is tough and Bobby truly sees how important his family has been in his recovery. They are all incredible people.

Bobby also joined us live at Sholtz's Bier Garten again for "The Real Heroes" this year and there was not a dry eye in the audience of typically rowdy football fans. He touched them. He stopped them in their tracks as they could SEE what true sacrifice is. It was powerful.

-ESPN Austin tailgate, Sept 2013

Bobby was featured in TIME Magazine's Nov 10th issue in an article called "Healing Bobby". Be sure to check out the video and look for him in the coming months on PBS. http://content.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,2821796853001_2157202,00.html

 -Sky Ball 2013

A California hero with a heart and smile (and jokes) the size of Texas.
www.bobbyhenline.com