For many, the Minneapolis Polar Plunge is all about the thrill of jumping into icy waters for a great cause. But Special Olympics Minnesota athletes David and Lucy took the event to new heights. Thanks to the generosity of retired Minneapolis Police Department officer and Law Enforcement Torch Run volunteer Rich Sheldon, they had the opportunity to fly over Lake Nokomis during the national anthem.
Here, David and Lucy share their personal reflections on what it was like to participate in the unforgettable flyover.
David
A chilly early March morning is like no other for me, usually involving work, playing with my dog, then doing some usual housework while talking with close friends and family. Yet the morning of March 1 was spectacular—it was something out of a classic military movie or old photography.
An opportunity came about from Special Olympics Minnesota and the generosity of proud LETR member, Rich Sheldon. My closest friend, Lucy, and I took part in a flyover in a historic T-6 Texan aircraft. We flew over the Minneapolis Polar Plunge at Lake Nokomis during the national anthem. Of course, as an aviation hobbyist this experience was something I truly never believed I would experience. My biggest takeaway was not the flight itself, but the lifelong memories I made.
Being part of a three-aircraft formation and seeing the famous skyline of Minneapolis was incredible. Like the old WW2 aircraft, the inclusive nature of Special Olympics never loses its charm.
The lengths for which people are willing to go to embrace our mission of inclusion leaves me in awe. None of this happens without the generosity of thousands who give to Special Olympics. Your generosity is what allows so many individuals to take flight in life, and for that I am truly thankful. I wish to fulfill my appreciation for this collective generosity in whatever capacity I can.
Thank you, on behalf of the athletes, for the life-changing experiences your contributions bring. You are the true champions.
Watch David’s Perk’s Playbook feature where his love for aviation is on full display!
Lucy
It was an incredible and amazing experience to be part of the Minneapolis Polar Plunge flyover.
The T6 Texan planes that were used in the flyover were used during World War II and into the 1970s to train pilots in the military. They trained several hundred thousand pilots in 34 different countries over a period of 25 years. The aircraft was mainly used for training, but in some cases, it was also repurposed into combat roles.
When I sat in the cockpit behind the pilot, I saw a lot of different controls, and I heard them set the altitude and communicate with air traffic controllers when we were in the air. I was harnessed into a seat with a parachute to keep me safe for the flight. I was able to talk to my pilot, Carl, on my radio headset throughout the flight to let him know how I was doing in the air and he checked in on me frequently to make sure I was doing okay.
At takeoff, I felt excited and a bit nervous when the plane gained more speed and altitude as we left the runway. But once in the air, I was so excited as I saw downtown Minneapolis and especially the U.S. Bank stadium off in the distance. It was a beautiful, sunny day but I still felt the cold and wind in the cockpit. We had to dress really warm because we were exposed to the elements in this type of airplane.
This was an experience of a lifetime, and I felt proud to represent all the Special Olympics Minnesota athletes and Plungers on this day. I want to thank Special Olympics Minnesota and Rich Sheldon from the Law Enforcement Torch Run for making this experience possible. Big shout out to my pilot, Carl, and David’s pilot and former astronaut, Curt Brown. They are amazing!