Ex Airmen attend RNZAF Base Ohakea
Graduation Ceremony
19 December 2007
An invitation to attend the 06/2 Wings Course Graduation Ceremony was one three Presbyterian Support Central Residents couldn’t refuse.
Group Captain Shaun Clarke extended the invitation to Bridgie Wilton (Reevedon Home), Eric Middleton (Levin Home for War Veterans) and Bob Thomas (Independent Living Unit Reevedon) and made a point of acknowledging the significance of their attendance.
“The three gentlemen added dignity to our ceremony. It was terrific that they honoured us with their visit”, Group Captain Clarke said.
Seven graduates were presented with their ‘Wings’ at the Ceremony. The award of the pilot’s brevet or “Wings” represents a milestone in every military pilot’s career and is the culmination of a very demanding but rewarding period of training.
Eric Middleton had been based at Ohakea during his time in the Air Force and was keen to see what had changed. “The style of marching was different and in my day with it being wartime there were planes all over the place”, he said.
Bridgie Wilton had worked on a farm that bordered Ohakea and can clearly remember the Bombing Range on the Coast. “The boys used to line up the Range by tipping the plane on its side and firing a rocket. You could see the flashes so we kept out of the road”, Bridgie said.
An RAF man from England, Bob Thomas remarked that “visiting Ohakea made me feel proud that I had served in the Air Force. The VIP treatment we received was lovely. Everyone was very kind”.
Following the Ceremony the three former servicemen took afternoon tea with the graduates and their families. They enjoyed conversation with Air Commodore Richard Newlands, Deputy Chief of the Air Force and Group Captain Clarke and Escort Officer Squadron Leader Graeme Todd took the trio to view the Harvard plane in No. 1 Hanger.
