Ever since Gerry Smith was killed in a landing accident at Big Sur, California, the E Team has held a memorial meet on the first Saturday of each year. Bob McKenzie was the next E Teamer to join the ranks of our fallen friends and was added to the annual memorial meet. In 2000, the loss of two of our beloved brothers, Keith Lamb and Doug Domokos who were killed simultaniously in an ultralight accident in Murrieta were added to the list. And finaly, The last addition to the list was Kenny Holbert who was killed at the E.

All of our friends died while doing what they loved. Flying. And in view of the sadness we all experience through the loss of a friend or loved one, we would like to memorialize their love of life rather than the accidents that took them away from us. We do this at the begining of each year while at the same time renewing our flying club, it's members and it's officers. Flying and remembering our fallen friends is a great way to start off the year.

This year was truly entertaining. It was a WHACK FEST! It seems all you have to do is put a target in the landing area and you have instant entertainment. Bruce Carr and his son Dustin managed to do most of the whacking this day. Even Timmy, (Dustin's Little Boy) managed to hit the ground at least 32 times that day running around in the landing area. So we gave the "Whack Torphy" to the whole family. Other than that, the ENTIRE event, both Hang Gliding and Para Gliding was won by Bill Soderquist. That's how good of a day it was! Flyable all day long! So once Bill pretty much scored first place in the para gliding competition with an amazing 1 hour flight to the clouds, he threw the hang glider on the truck and up he went to conquer the hang gliding competition as well with a cross country out and return circle around the lake at 8500 feet and a dead center on the target.

Robert Echt took 2nd place in Para gliding. Mickey Saline took 2nd in hang gliding while JR took third. Jack Barth claimed 4th, Bruce Carr took 5th and Tim McIntire took 6th but didn't hang around for his Plaque.. (dumbass!)

All in all everyone had a great time and the flying went on till sunset. You couldn't have asked for better conditions for a competition. Especially during the winter! Below are a number of photos taken at the meet. I hope you enjoy them.

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