Bob Fish sorts through donations

On 16 December 2000, a devastating tornado ripped through the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, leaving 12 people dead, hundreds injured and many people homeless.

This tornado could not have happened at a more inopportune time of the year. With Christmas two weeks away, this storm not only ripped through the city of Tuscaloosa, but also through the hearts of American people everywhere. Members of the Air Commando Association saw this as another opportunity to help people in need. The Commando slogan "Any Time Any Place" was once again brought into reality as the Air Commandos, under the leadership of Hap Lutz, put out the call, and soon the donations started rolling in.

John Grove, Bob White (in truck), and Roger Klair load truck

Within 72 hours, the storage area in the Air Commando building on Highway 98 was overflowing with toys, food items, household goods and clothing. These donations were just a start, and after including the American Legion posts, the V. F. W. and the McCoskrie Threshold Foundation, the donations soon swelled enough to fill two (2) tractor trailers. The donated equipment was loaded on to the tractor trailers on Thursday and Friday, December 21st & 22nd and departed for Tuscaloosa, Alabama on December 23rd.

The panhandle of Florida has much to be proud of. It has the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world and its warm emerald waters are the envy of other states. Visitors continuously comment about the friendly people they have met while visiting in our local area. But what many of these visitors do not know is that the greatest asset of this wonderful place is its people. We are truly blessed with an over-abundance of residents who will continuously stand up and support others who are less fortunate.

who is this man?

This latest endeavor to assist the people of Tuscaloosa, Alabama is just one more sign that the people of Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Valparaiso, Destin, Crestview and the outlining area have hearts that are open and full of love for their fellow man.