Joe Anderson, chairman of Benovia Winery, is proud to announce that his vintage C-53 Skytrooper airplane, The Spirit of Benovia, will join dozens of World War II-era aircraft in a flight from the United States to Normandy next June to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy. The Spirit of Benovia will join other American aircraft as part of the “D-Day Squadron,” and will rendezvous with a group of British aircraft called “Daks Over Normandy.” Together, the two groups will fly in formation over Normandy on June 6, 2019. To mark the occasion, and to honor the lives of those who fought in World War II, Benovia winemaker Mike Sullivan has crafted a special Pinot Noir called Liberation.
A variant of the civilian DC-3 passenger planes, the C-53 Skytroopers were among the workhorses of World War II and played a key role in the Invasion of Normandy, known as “D-Day,” which occurred on June 6, 1944 when Allied forces stormed several beaches in the Normandy region of France, a turning point in the war which led to the liberation of Western Europe from the Nazis.
The Spirit of Benovia first flew in 1942 and had a colorful history in both military and civilian service. It flew over the Himalayas to support the Allied Forces against Japan during World War II. After World War II it was sold to the Civil Air Transport in Taiwan and helped transport Chinese Nationalists from China to Taiwan following the Communists’ takeover. The plane continued to fly covert missions against the Communists in Southeast Asia, as part of the CIA’s Air America. Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane, co-founders of Benovia Winery, acquired the plane in 2008 and renamed it The Spirit of Benovia. Since then, they have taken World War II veterans and the families of those who served in the Civil Air Transport on commemorative, sentimental flights.
“When you think of all the hands around the world that have touched this airplane, it’s amazing. We are so proud to fly The Spirit of Benovia in this special celebration,” said Anderson. “My father and two of my uncles served in combat in World War II and we are so blessed that they came home. It’s important to us to honor everyone who fought for our freedom. This will be a poignant celebration as there are still surviving soldiers who will be able to join us.”
Anderson’s pilot of 13 years, Chief Pilot Jeff Coffman, will fly The Spirit of Benovia to Normandy with Anderson aboard. The plane will make the significant journey in stages from Arizona, to Connecticut, Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, England – and finally, to Normandy on June 6, 2019. The Spirit of Benovia will remain in Europe and two weeks after the D-Day celebration, the plane will also participate in a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. During the Berlin Airlift which began in 1948, Allied forces brought food and fuel to residents of West Berlin after the Soviet Union cut off all access to roads, trains and canals into the city. As Anderson and Coffman prepare the plane for these historic events, and throughout the trip, fans can follow the plane’s progress via social media and at www.benoviawinery.com. Before and after the journey, The Spirit of Benovia will be on display at air shows in the U.S. and Europe.
To mark the occasion, Benovia winemaker Mike Sullivan has crafted just 56 cases of a special Pinot Noir blend called Liberation, made from Benovia’s Tilton Hill estate vineyard, harvested in 2016. The wine will be $70 per bottle and a percentage of sales from Liberation will be donated to a D-Day Squadron charitable fund that is helping to transport veterans, students and the vintage American aircraft to the celebration in Normandy. A dramatic label was created for Liberation, designed by pilot and artist, Craig Kodera. The memorable scene captured on the label depicts an airborne D-Day squad, and the artwork on the nose of the featured plane was inspired by a B-29 that Joe Anderson’s uncle flew in World War II. The exclusive Pinot Noir can be purchased HERE.
Support the D-Day Squadron by purchasing the exclusive 2016 “Liberation” Pinot Noir – Click the image below.
For more information on The Spirit of Benovia and Liberation, or to set up an interview with Joe Anderson, please contact us at [email protected] or 415-394-6500.
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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