HURRICANE RESCUE: What would YOU DO with YOUR OWN private JET?

This evening I'd like to share an inspirational story with you all. While some of us prefer to sip on martinis and bask in our accumulated wealth, others are ready and willing to leap into action when the opportunity arises, without any expectation of reward or remuneration. They grab the proverbial "bull by the horns", and take a hands-on approach to help others and make a difference.

Paul Weismann (with the beard) is a high-school friend and classmate of mine. We also shared the same guitar teacher, Ed Russell, also a great guy and terrific musician (and teacher) who I've still kept in touch with over the years. It's also possible Paul was the one who recommended Ed to me, but my memory is a bit foggy in that regard...

This past week, Paul (along with his co-pilot Bob Lambert) has been flying his jet in and out of Puerto Rico and Dominica since Tuesday, helping to bring critical supplies and evacuate over 30 individuals from the area through the PALS Sky Hope Disaster Relief Program.

I had thought of writing a post about what he's been up to, but his updates were on a private facebook page, and I felt it best not to "intrude" into his "private sharing". However, The Daily Beast (also managed by a former classmate) did go ahead and publish a story about what he's been doing, thus offering an opportunity to shed more light on his heroic good deeds! As such, I'll share a few highlights from the article:

Paul Weismann got the call for help Monday night at his home in Connecticut. By Tuesday afternoon, he was flying to Puerto Rico on his personal plane, with food, water, and power generators as his passengers.

“The hurricane knocked out all their radars, and I think most of their radio communications,” Weismann said. “They have technical teams, but the roads are all blocked, and the radars are up on the mountains.”

Much of Weismann’s work has been delivering supplies to air traffic controllers, so the airport can handle more planes. But he and other PALS pilots have also worked to evacuate some people to Florida, especially young children and senior citizens. Those chosen for evacuation are vetted through FEMA or other philanthropic groups on the ground.

On Thursday morning, Weismann had evacuated 16 people, and was flying to Dominica, where he planned to evacuate more. Sometimes, as was the case with four mothers and their young children, Weismann coordinated with families to plan evacuations in advance. But spotty post-hurricane cellphone service meant that some planned evacuations fell through.

“It’s just human nature to try and help,” Lambert said. Small aircraft like those he and fellow PALS volunteers fly are “not a long-term necessity but the ability to react immediately and get on station quickly and land at small airports… we can literally respond in minutes or hours given the large number of airplanes that are willing to do this.”

Link: The Daily Beast: Volunteer Pilots Swoop Into Puerto Rico With Supplies and Leave With Survivors

I hope you find inspiration in this article to "do good things" where and when you can. We can each make a difference in our own way, even if it starts with holding a door open for someone you don't know. If you think something that seemingly "trivial" would be a given, try making your way around Manhattan for a day!

Also, if you're looking for a charity to consider for a donation, Patient Air Lift Services seems like a great choice that's making a very noticeable difference. If you're interested, you can also follow PAL's facebook page.

In closing, I'll leave you with this reply Paul made on facebook to one of the family members he helped rescue in San Juan:

J: "You amaze and inspire me! Thank you, again - words are not enough to express the gratitude of my family. Rest up and good luck in Dominica!"

Paul Weismann: "Thanks J just buy me a nice pint next time I see you "