Hank Aaron Tribute at All-Star Game, and (Lyons) jet flyover

Stadium Field and Jumbotron images

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At the MLB All-Star baseball game last week, July 13, prior to the singing of the National Anthem, there was a tribute to Hank Aaron, the man who passed Babe Ruth as the all time home run king. (see more below) His wife, Billye Aaron, was honored; and she spoke of Hank’s early days in the Negro League, and the transition to playing in the Major Leagues in 1954.

Next, standing across the outfield, were the descendants of Hank and Mrs Aaron. Along the first base line was the National League team, and along the 3rd was the American League. Then, accompanied by the captains of both teams, Mrs Aaron greeted each player, whom were visibly touched.

The National Anthem was sung by Christopher Jackson, a star of Hamilton on Broadway and movies and TV. When he sang, the ball field was filled with emotion. And, when the fireworks went off, right on cue, he got choked up too. “For the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.”

In December 2020, the anniversary of the formation of the National Negro League, Major League Baseball officially recognized the Negro Leagues as major league teams. It was not celebrated in 2020 because it had to cancel the game due to COVID-19 restrictions. The All-Star Game was cancelled just twice, in 1945 and 2020, and moved it just once, from the Atlanta suburbs to Denver in 2021. Denver has made a bid for the games in the past, so it had some plans ready.

The All-Star Games were moved by the MLB from Atlanta this year to Denver due to the state of Georgia passing legislation which obstructed Voting Rights, with perceived targeted impact on Black Voters. In contrast, Denver is known for having the best mail-in paper ballot voting system in the country, and many other states study it in order to develop their own. Denver only had three months to prepare for the Games, and roundly succeeded. It brought in approximately 60 to 100 million dollars in revenue to the city and state.

As an Air Force veteran, I want to say Thank you, Lyons, for indulging the Air Force with some extra flying time overhead so that they could fly over the All-Star Game right on cue! (see more below)

…………….Comments and Photographs by Charlie Corson, Lyons, from his attendance at the 2021 All-Star Game in Coors Field, Denver, Colorado.

Hank Aaron

Serving as the first Black star player of a professional team when the Braves relocated from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966. He was married to Billye Suber Williams; he had six children by two marriages. See article for a list of his accomplishments and dozens of awards and honors.

Henry “Hank” Aaron, 1934-2021 (age 86)
Debut 4/13/54; last appearance 10/3/76
Positions: Rightfielder and First Baseman, Milwaukee Brewers
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Batting Average: .305
Hits: 3,771 (Babe Ruth 2,873)
Home Runs: 755 (Babe Ruth 714)
Runs batted in: 2,297
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MLB records: 2,297 career runs batted in
6,856 career total bases
1,477 career extra-base hits
Induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame: 1982

Jet Flyover

EDITOR’S NOTES: Both Jets and propeller aircraft did maneuvers over Lyons before the All-Star Games. The photo below is of the jets flying over Coors Field during the All-Star Game. The statement below by Bob Freeman is about the propeller aircraft, which will be performing at an air show.

Charlie Corson added: The jets that were ready to do a flyover at Coor’s Field were kind of in a holding pattern, during which they got extra time for practicing aerial maneuvers. Because of the extra time of the tribute to Hank Aaron, etc, the jets used that extra time over Lyons. Then they had the flyover at Coor’s right on cue as the National Anthem ended. The jets are based out of Buckley Air National Guard Base in Aurora. In about the 5th inning, the pilots, equal numbers of women and men, were driven to Coor’s Field, where they were given a standing ovation! This was on Tuesday, 7/13. (The prop planes practiced on several mornings around this same time frame, including the weekends before and after the All-Star Game. They were flown by civilian pilots.)

AIRCRAFT FLYING OVERHEAD in LYONS – Bob Freeman explains “practice area’’

I ‘d like to add some context to the discussion on Facebook Lyons Happenings about the aircraft flying aerobatics near the Cemex gravel pit.

First, the pilots are 100% in compliance with FAA regulations. The FAA is fully aware of and has repeatedly approved this specific airspace for this purpose. The FAA requires air show performers to document currency of practice prior to every airshow performance. This airspace is utilized as it is not over a congested area which allows lower altitudes and has FAA approval to be clear of other airspace and air traffic when in use. This makes it a safer place for practice.

The purpose of this space is proficiency and safety training for sport, competition, and airshow aerobatics, and has been used on only seventeen occasions over the last 5 years. It was not used at all in 2019 or 2020. Flight durations are usually 15 to 20 minutes. There have been three occasions of use in 2021, all in the last week. Pilots tend to practice in the 1 to 2 weeks prior to a competition or airshow. There are generally 2 or 3 competitions and 1 or 2 airshows in Colorado each year.

There was a competition in Fort Morgan over this past weekend, (open to the public); so practice has been up recently but is likely to drop back to near zero now. This space has been used by a US Aerobatic Team Pilot and Professional Airshow Pilot (me) among others.

This issue came up on Face Book about 4 years ago. At that time, the comments were about 900 in favor of this flying activity and about five in opposition. I donate a ride each year to the Lyons Community Foundation annual fund raiser and provide adventure rides for a fee as a small business venture. If you would like to have and adventure ride or sight seeing ride, let me know by private message. Thanks for reading.

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