CHAA Honour a Veteran with a Special Flyover on Canada Day

Thursday, 2 July 2020 13:10

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association in Tillsonburg spent Canada Day by doing a surprise 100th birthday flyover for Armour Hanna in Oshawa.

TILLSONBURG - The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association spent Canada Day by doing a surprise birthday flyover.

They flew two historic Harvard aircrafts to wish Mr. Armour Hanna a very happy 100th birthday on Wednesday. Hanna served as an instructor onHarvards at No. 6 Service Flying Training School in Dunnville, Ontario during the Second World War as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. He was then sent overseas in 1944 where he was stationed throughout England for the duration of the war.

The Harvards flew from Tillsonburg to Oshawa on Wednesday afternoon. The pilots also took some time to meet with Mr. Hanna as well.

Jenn Maddigan is a close friend of Mr. Hanna and they have a father and daughter type of relationship. She helped organize the event with Terry Scott from the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association. Maddigan says the fly over and visit meant the world to Mr. Hanna.

"He wasn't expecting it, we had arranged a ride in a classic car, so he thought we were just going for a drive and then we end up at the airport and when he saw the planes coming, there were tears in his eyes."

Maddigan says he really enjoyed talking to the pilots.

"Big grin on his, face they asked him if he wanted to get in but because of a bad hip, they really couldn't get up there. He certainly enjoyed himself talking to them."

Maddigan says they can't say thank you enough to the pilots and the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association.

"I can't thank Scott and Dave enough for flying those planes. They also brought a small box of about 40 cards from members of a nursing home in London. Terry Scott was amazing to work with and Pat Hanna actually got to Marshall the planes onto the ground. The whole crew was just fabulous, wonderful guys to work with and we are hoping we will be able to get Terry down to interview Armour about his years flying the Harvard planes."

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association is a group of dedicated volunteers with a mission to acquire, preserve, restore, maintain, display and demonstrate the Harvard and other aircraft associated with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and the Royal Canadian Air Force.