Pictured, left to right: Gracie Howard, Taylor Newman, Lucy Howard, and James Howard
Local radio and television host James Howard will pilot a one-year anniversary memorial flight this weekend in honor of the military servicemen killed by the terrorist attack in Chattanooga. The attack happened on July 16, 2015; four U.S. Marines and one sailor were killed.
Mr. Howard and his daughters Gracie and Lucy, along with copilot Taylor Newman will depart from the Chattanooga Airport this Saturday and will fly to Port Angeles, Wa. Mr. Howard chose the destination of the memorial flight based on the support the city of Chattanooga received after the terrorist attack from the unlikely place of Port Angeles, Washington.
Last year at this time, Outside Magazine hosted their annual “Best Towns” competition.
Readers of the magazine voted Chattanooga “America’s Best Town of 2015” with Port Angeles, Wa. coming in second place. Shortly after the terrorist attack, the city of Port Angeles sent a representative from their city, along with banners signed by members of the Port Angeles community, to Chattanooga as a gesture of care and support.
“I was touched by the fact that the people of Port Angeles took the time to show us, Chattanooga, their support in such an intentional way,” said Mr. Howard. “Showing up with posters and banners – a representative from their city – it was another piece of the healing process for me and for Chattanoogans and so the destination for the flight just makes sense. Terrorism is now a global problem we all face, and Port Angeles stepped up and proved to be a great example of support in our time of horrific tragedy and grief.”
Mr. Howard will depart (wheels up) from Wilson Air at the Chattanooga Airport on Saturday at 6 a.m. and will be flying a Cessna 172. A water arch, color guard, and bagpipes accompaniment will take place prior to departure. He will receive a military escort out of the city from two T-28 Trojans to honor the military men whose lives were lost in the Chattanooga terrorist attacks on July 16, 2015.
The names of the servicemen killed are:
1. Sgt. Carson Holmquist
2. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith
3. Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan
4. Lance Cpl. Squire “Skip” Wells
5. Staff Sgt. David Wyatt
The names of the five military servicemen will be marked on the Cessna 172. The plane will be nicknamed “The Spirit of the Fallen Five” in honor of the five servicemen who lost their lives that day.
“We want to honor these men, and we want to communicate what it means to be 'NoogaStrong,'” said Mr. Howard. “We will have that opportunity every two and a half hours when we stop to fuel up, to tell to everyone we come in contact with all across the country from here to the west coast when we land in Port Angeles, what that means. We want to honor these men’s lives and communicate what this tragic event has meant to Chattanooga – and to be united as a city – to be NoogaStrong.”
Estimated arrival time at the airport in Port Angeles, Wa. is the evening of July 17. Upon his arrival, Mr. Howard will deliver a “thank you” banner to the city of Port Angeles as a gesture of thanks for the support shown to Chattanoogans last year. After his mission in Port Angeles is complete, Mr. Howard will set his second speed record through the National Aeronautic Association on his return flight.
About James Howard
James D. Howard has been in the broadcasting industry for over 25 years and a pilot since he was a teenager. He is the host of WTVC-TV NewsChannel 9’s “This N That” and co-host of WDEF Sunny 92.3’s number one rated morning show. He shared the microphone with Luther Masingill, the longest running broadcaster in the history of the world, until Luther’s death in 2014. Mr. Howard continues to co-host the morning show with Kim Carson, weekday mornings on WDEF Sunny 92.3.
He has been flying since the age of 13. In 1996, Mr. Howard set his first speed record when he touched down at every airport in Tennessee in less than 19 hours, raising money for the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. Mr. Howard has been a Chattanooga resident all his life and lives with his wife, Christy, his two daughters, Gracie and Lucy, and his dog, Lily.