I was looking at photos from the Smokin’ on Blackshear BBQ & Balloons event on Facebook and I saw this

photo of Hunter Nutting and it reminded me of a story from long ago.  He just looks so young and the young lady has a look on her face I have seen before.  Allow me to travel back in balloon history 50 years....

My father was a member of an organization called MOVITE.  It was a group of Traffic and Transportation engineers.  Each year they held a convention and this year it was being held in Springfield Missouri in a large cave.  A good family friend (Dave Snider) was in charge of the event and he had a great idea for a special door price for the event.  Prior to the event he made a huge deal out of how incredible the door prize was going to be but he refused to tell anyone what it was.  Of course the speculation made it even bigger! 

Well, the door prize was a flight in a HOT AIR BALLOON.  Now today a hot air balloon ride is still a cool prize but 50 years ago it was gigantic because hardly anyone had done it.  To add to the secrecy our little balloon trailer was stuffed away in his garage the moment we hit town.  He was not going to let anyone know what the prize was. 

Now back then I was only 17 and looked 14 on a good day.  His plan was far more devious then I had realized at the time.  He had me wear my jumpsuit (back then we all wore jumpsuits covered in patches and pins)with my high school letter jacket over top.  He told me that he was going to pull me out of the crowd and up on stage when it was time to award the grand prize. My instructions were NOT TO TAKE off my jacket till he told me to.

When time came he said for the grand prize we need someone to come up on stage and draw the winning ticket out of a huge basket of tickets.  He pointed to me in the crowd and "You young man would you come up here and help me"  Of course I agreed and went up on stage to pull out a winning ticket.  He said "Wait just a moment young man".  He said "Does anyone want to know what the prize is?"  

The Grand Prize is a Hot Air Balloon Ride.  Of course the crowd of 600 let out a huge roar!

Now today a hot air balloon ride is still a cool prize for any event but back then, 50 years ago it was HUGE.  Hardly ANYONE had actually seen a balloon let alone fly in one!  Someone was going to get a super rare prize.

"Time to pick a winner young man" Dave said.  "Please reach into this basket and pick out a ticket."  He read the ticket number 1174......24!  A woman in the back started to scream!  I won I won I won... She ran up on the stage to get her prize.  Dave (0ur family friend) said.  "I have one more surprise for you"  Excited and jumping up and down she said "Tell me... Tell me..."  He said.  "I would like to introduce you to your pilot!!"  It was at this time when he asked me to remove my high school letter jacket.  I would like to introduce you to Captain Jeff Thompson your pilot.  She took one look at me and said, "Your kidding right"  Dave said "no kidding he is the pilot!"  She said NO...  Just NO..  no no no..  As she left the stage.  

"Well then",,, Dave said..  "Guess we have to draw another ticket"!  We pulled out another number and a super nice man had won, and was as happy as could be with his good fortune.  The next morning the weather was perfect and we went for a flight.  The local newspaper ran the story the next day and everyone was super happy but...

Now I see some of these young pilots and wonder, do others have that same thought when they look at a young pilot.

Bless the next generation!

Jeff A Thompson