One of the most anticipated events of the year took place during the weekend of August 16–17 at the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota. The following report, produced by Scott Guyette of Sleeping Dog Productions and originally shared with EAA Warbirds of America members, has been gently edited for online publication.
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The Victory at Sea air event faced extremely wet and severe weather challenges. Heavy rainfall forced organizers to scale back the two-day program to a single day, August 16. “It just won’t stop raining!” organizers noted. Even so, most flights on Saturday were able to go ahead, highlighted by tributes to WWII Navy Ace Donald M. McPherson and a presentation in the Navy Hangar by retired Navy fighter pilot Ryan Christopherson. Living history reenactors also managed to present their programs despite the weather.
The Fagen family extended their thanks to the many individuals and organizations who made the event possible. Warbird owners, museums, and pilots traveled from California, Arizona, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Oregon, Indiana, North Dakota, and Minneapolis, Minnesota to participate. Sponsors, reenactors, air event announcer Ric Peterson, Scott and Kyle Guyette for video and photography, Ryan Zimmer for technical support, Chad Hill for logo design, Matt Dack for IT, the Granite Falls American Legion Post 69/VFW color guard, trumpet player Mark Holton, service groups, and vendors all received recognition for their contributions.
Additional thanks went to the many groups that worked together to overcome the event’s logistical challenges. As pilot Bernie Vasquez’s photograph showed, the large parking field was completely saturated and unusable. Creative solutions were required, and Warriors & Walleyes Outdoors, along with dedicated friends, volunteers, and family members, made parking possible. Organizers also thanked the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office, Granite Falls Police Department, Granite Falls Fire Department, and Avera EMTs. Bennett & Bennett Transportation provided buses, while Citizens Alliance Bank managed admissions. Support also came from Troy Fiegen of Troy’s Electric, Mike Richter of the Sawmill, and countless employees, friends, volunteers, and family members who worked on the ramp to safely move aircraft and manage setup and takedown.
There were more Navy aircraft, too many to mention. What an impressive lineup! It was a true testament to the entire Fagen team of volunteers that this event came together despite the weather issues.
Gratitude was also expressed to volunteers, friends, and employees who staffed the gift shop, the volunteer center, and the children’s activities area. “They have the best group of people that can make it happen!” organizers emphasized. In spite of the relentless rain, the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum reported, “We had a great event.” For more information about the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum, visit www.fagenfighterswwiimuseum.org. For more information about EAA Warbirds of America, visit www.warbirds-eaa.org or check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Insta
