Aaron Tippin Photo Courtesy of Lyric Street Records
August 27, 2007 — Aaron Tippin brought along a special guest for his performance at a Disabled American Veterans benefit in New Orleans recently. A restored World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber, also known as "Panchito," traveled in the air and water to reach her destination.
The B-25 bombers are famed for being a major force in bringing hope back to the country during WWII. It was the B-25 that Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle chose to use in a raid against the Japanese after their attack on Pearl Harbor. "Doolittle's Raid" was deemed a success thanks to the 16 B-25 bombers used in the attack.
Aaron, also a licensed pilot, helped fly one of the restored B-25s from Oshkosh, Wis., to New Orleans. Once there Aaron helped load the plane onto a barge on Lake Pontchartrain. After being loaded, the legendary aircraft was taken to Spanish Plaza and put on display for the DAV benefit show.
"It was a great pleasure to be part of the team that brought 'Panchito' as a gift from the DAV to the city of New Orleans," Aaron says. "Man, it was hot!"
After the aircraft's trip was over, Aaron performed several of his hit songs for the DAV benefit, including "Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly," an appropriate song for "Panchito" and her history.
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