Heroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes they show up in a minivan, according to Lynden Air Cargo Flight Engineer Chris Lockhart. Below is an example of how Lynden employees often step in to help each other, and anyone in need, when disasters strike.
"During the last two years we have been hit by three major Hurricanes here in Punta Gorda, FL, where I live," Chris writes in his letter to Lynden Air Cargo President Scott Hicks. "Ian was a direct hit as a category 5 hurricane. We were isolated with no power or water for four days, running on our generator. Gas was about to run out. The first call I received was from Ed Rea Chief Flight Engineer. He checked on our status and immediately organized a plan.
"A few hours later our Tampa minivan rolls up. And here come the Lynden guys. And 20 gallons of gas. Such an incredible sight. My wife and I will never forget that moment. Ed Rea, Mark Greig, Dave Marquez, and Tomo Spaic wasted no time. Mark grabbed my chainsaw and started cutting the giant trees that were smashed against our home. Ed, Dave and Tomo started dragging everything to the street. A few hours later our home was cleared. They had done an incredible job. We shook hands and they were off.
"As they were rolling down my street, in their minivan with its Alaska license plates, my neighbors started to emerge from their damaged homes in disbelief. Asking who were those guys. I very proudly said, those men are Lynden Air Cargo Everyday Heroes.
"Eighteen months later we were pounded by Hurricane Helene and two weeks later, Milton. I was in Africa. Helene was a glancing blow, not too much damage. My intrepid wife Sirlei informed me she had it under control, and I did not need to return home. Two weeks later here comes Milton. She was afraid, and so was I. This was going to be a ripper. I was not going to make it home in time despite the phenomenal effort made by our Flight Operations team.
"Once again Ed Rea took charge and gathered up an amazing crew of Everyday Heroes. Here they came again, like the calvary riding to the rescue. Ed Rea, Darren Black, Rachel Allsup, and Ryan Richard rolled up in their Alaska minivan. They wasted no time. They installed storm shutters and positioned all of our outdoor furniture and equipment inside. When all was secure, they gave my incredibly grateful wife a big hug, and they rode off into the sunset in the Alaska minivan. You can imagine my neighbors’ astonishment. They had witnessed another crew of Lynden Air Cargo Everyday Heroes perform magic.
"These incredible crew members, with these unselfish acts, demonstrated the highest standards and traditions of Lynden Air Cargo Everyday Heroes. The Lockhart family is deeply grateful to all of them."
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