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Office
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September 23, 2002 |
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Usually once a month, Johnson volunteers himself and his four-seater Grumman Tiger plane to Angel Flight, a national nonprofit organization with thousands of volunteers who provide transportation to and from hospitals for individuals who cannot afford it. These patients often have to travel across the country to visit specialists or take part in studies. “The patients I have flown have ranged from children to people in their 30s and 40s. The common denominator is that these individuals are desperate for treatment and they would probably not be able to receive it without the help of Angel Flight,” he said. Johnson, who grew up not far from NASA in Houston, has had a lifelong interest in aviation and has been actively flying for a little over 10 years. Although he also flies for the Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary), he became a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight when he moved to Tyler over a year ago. “When we moved here to join the faculty at UT Tyler, I wanted to become a part of the community. I enjoy flying and when I found out Angel Flight needed pilots, I became involved,” Johnson said. “So many opportunities exist that all of us can find some way to help the community.” This Sept. 11, after early-morning services at the university and teaching his classes, Johnson had a simple plan: “I’m flying an Angel Flight mission. When I think of the folks that died in the WTC, I can’t think of a better way to commemorate their death than to help someone else get another chance at life.” (Article courtesy
of John Davidson, Jennifer Moll and Angel Flight South Central) Contact
person: Emily Battle,
(903) 565-5604
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