Memorial Day weekend and what it meant to the Air Dot Show performers

Isabella Moody
·2 min read

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Memorial Day is a time to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Many of the performers in this year’s air show shared why it is special to them.

“It’s an honor. I am a vet. So, for Memorial Day weekend, I think about those brothers that I lost, and that’s what this weekend it about,” said Tommy Daughtry,  RE/MAX skydiving team and veteran.

Some of the acts included the RE/MAX Skydiving Team, an F-22 Raptor Demonstration, and the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation.

“We honor all the folks who have been part of Army Aviation throughout the years, decades. And it’s our pleasure to take our act to airshows across the county,” said Peyton DeHart, Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and veteran.

Many of those taking part are active military or veterans, so they say they have a special connection to this weekend.

“On Memorial Day weekend, this is the weekend that we just pay tribute to those who have the greatest sacrifice, right,” said Bill Walsh, narrator with Air Dot Show tour and veteran. “So, to be able to do that and to inspire the next generation and be able to narrate that is just so exciting.”

Folds of Honor also awarded a scholarship from Anheuser–Busch. The program is for families who have lost someone in the military or first responders. It sends family members back to school to help them rebuild what they have lost.

“My husband was Officer Chase Lee Madox, and he served our country in the Army Reserves and then his local community with the Locust Grove Police Department,” said Alex Maddox, the recipient of the Folds of Honor scholarship. “He was shot and killed in the line of duty on February 9th of 2018, and four days later, little Boddie was born.”

Alex Maddox says she is using the scholarship to pursue a communication degree and hopes to continue to help families who have been affected by tragedies like hers.

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