May 13

A nor’easter has brought rain, wind, and low visibility to Oxford, Connecticut, our next en route destination. We understand four C-47s made it to Oxford before the storm arrived. The rest, like us, are getting to know better, one of their intermediate stops.

Today the crew and passengers toured Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. In the age of billion-dollar sports franchises, a consistently competitive team is owned by its fans. The Packers have won thirteen championships in their one-hundred-year history, more than any other team. The stadium holds over 81,000. The population of the City of Green Bay is 105,116. And every game has sold out for decades. The former Chief of Police (who now works at the airport) told me you can take a nap in the middle of main street during a home game.

In touring the facility, we were reminded of the great leadership of Coach Vince Lombardi, a man who died too young. Two of my favorite Vince Lombardi quotations follow. “There is only one way to succeed at anything, and that is to give it everything.” “Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off of the goal.”

The crew also worked on the aircraft, well supported by the staff of the Jet Center FBO at Green Bay. Tomorrow we hope for better weather and a chance to join up with the other C-47s at Oxford.