Veterans Airlift Command arranged a flight on a private plane for my husband, who has a Traumatic Brain Injury. A commercial airport and going through security would have been a nightmare, both for h... text
Veterans Airlift Command
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My husband suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury in July of 2010. After stays at 3 facilities, he was fortunate enough to quality for therapies at the Minnepolis VA Hospital Polytrauma Center in November. We live in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Veterans Airlift Command got us there. At the time of my husband's discharge, in February, I called them again to get us back home. And within hours, we had a wonderful plane, a great pilot and co-pilot (whom we keep in touch with to this day!). Lisa runs VAC like a well-oiled machine; she gets the job done quickly and efficiently. The quality of the pilots and planes is excellent, dont ever, ever, forget, Veterans Airlift Command provides these services for FREE, so any donation, or monetary gift, is greatly appreciated. Veterans Airlift Command is a godsend in so many ways. They treat our veterans with the respect they deserve, and which they've earned, and help get them on their way to starting new lives. I will be forever grateful to them; they made a very hard journey a bit easier. Glyni Fenn, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Spouse, TBI Advocate, and Pit Bull!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
helping my husband get to the place(s) where he could receive the therapies he so desperately needed for his Traumatic Brain Injury.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change a thing!
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
How did you find this group?
A friend of mine, who works at a municipal airport in Battle Creek, Michigan, put the word out that we needed transportation to Minneapolis. (My husband couldn't have handled the airport, security, etc. at that time.) He found out about Veterans Airlift Command, called them, and they called me. The rest is history!
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
Be persistent, check out all sources for help, and pay it forward. The pilots volunteer their time and their planes, which is a large chunk of time and expense. They do it to help their fellow veterans get what they need. They are a prime example of sharing their talents and gifts with others.
Veterans Airlift Command arranged a flight on a private plane for my husband, who has a Traumatic Brain Injury. A commercial airport and going through security would have been a nightmare, both for him and for me, his wife. Flyning this way made our trip so much easier, and less stressful. Lisa Young, who coordinated all of this, was professional, compassionate, and wonderful to work with. Mike Miller, our pilot who volunteerd his time, was great, with a beautiful plane. These people do wonderful work; they should be proud. I couldn't have asked for a more positive experience, and would highly recommend Veterans Airlift Command. Thank you, Lisa and Mike! Glyni Fenn
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The efficiency, professionalism, compassion of both the flight coordinator and the pilot.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
There is absolutely nothing I would change. The way Veterans Airlift Command works is amazing; fast, streamlined, and efficient.
Recently my family and I took a trip to North Dakota, thanks in part to Veteran Airlift Command! Our request for this trip was instantly answered by the amazing staff at VAC, who worked so hard to accomplish this mission. We knew it was a difficult itinerary to fulfill do to location and distance, but our wishes were granted! Thanks to VAC and the flight team donated by Veteran Evaluation Services, we were able to fly to Grand Forks, ND in style. It will be an experience and trip that my family will never forget.
The staff that greeted us at the airport and flew us to our destination city were nothing short of spectacular! We have been back at homestation for almost a week and my 3 year old daughter still talks about the flight team constantly. They opened their lives to us and treated us like family and for this we are forever grateful. Being a wounded veteran has made it extremely difficult to fly, but this experience was just what the doctor ordered. For once, my family and I felt normal as we took part on this wonderful aviation adventure. Thank you so much VAC! You will always be in our hearts!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
receiving a donated private flight that took my family and from San Antonio to Grand Forks. This experience was one that we will never forget and will always be close to our hearts.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
No changes.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
How did you find this group?
Through a friend.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
We put in for our trip and within a day, had received a personal phone call approving our request. Due to recent flooding the pilot was in the air and the airport we were supposed to be flying out of was closed, they made the arrangements and we were able to be picked up at a different airport and were on our way. The return flight was from a different pilot and they sent a limo to retrieve us from our hotel, and we had an amazing return flight with some kind and considerate individuals. I cannot thank this organization enough. What they do, the staff and the pilots were beyond any expectations we could have had. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Using their services.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
None
They were amazing, I put in a request for a trip but at the last minute had something come up over the times i had requested. They were able to fly me earlier than I expected and were very accommodating to my needs, above all they cared a lot about what I needed and were awesome!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
texas
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
none
The quality of service that we received from the VAC pilots and staff were excellent. The ease of making an online request, and receiving a call and email to confirm receipt of our request the same day, was an example of the excellent customer service that we received. Afterward, we received emails from both pilots to confirm the details of our flight. Each pilot also provided their home and cell numbers, in order to communicate throughout our trip. During our flight, the pilots were friendly, made sure we were comfortable, and were willing to answer all questions we had. During our flight, the pilots provided headphones to my husband and I, so that we could talk with them during the flight. On the way home, I was really concerned about ways to combat the air pressure from getting to my head and ears. My pilot was very empathetic, gave me chewing gum and flew the plane at a level low enough to curtail it. It really helped:) Thanks for such a great experience!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
many ways. I have memories and personal experiences that I never imagined and this begins with VAC and the volunteer jet transportation experience to Panama City, Florida.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I appreciate the functionality of your website. Each form that I used to submit information had fields for me to type into. I used a form to type my initial request, and am using a form to submit comments. I mistakenly left the form page in the middle of typing my comments and, when hitting the back button to get my comments page again, discovered that the words that I typed were still on the page! It would have been difficult to retype and rethink everything again. So, I appreciate that. Thanks.
The overall experience on this the aircraft was truly a great experience! The volunteers who flew the crafe were all nice, and landed us home safely.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Panama city, FL
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
N/a
I cannot say enough wonderful things about VAC. I am very apprehensive about flying in any type of air craft, the pilots went above and beyond to make sure I was completely comfortable and at ease. Thank you is not enough for the wonderful service you are doing for the vets out here. VAC went out of their way to make myself and a fellow vet feel at ease about flying and to make sure we were taken care of
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
(I'm unsure what you are looking for here)
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
do absolutely nothing. this organization is incredible and does a wonderful service to vets all around the nation! Thank you is not enough!
On my most recent trip home to see my family I had two pilots fly me. They were both very help full and made going home very positive!
I often have anxiety with almost anything but with the help of Lisa at air lift command and the two pilots keeping me informed of all aspects of the flight I had great time.
Thank you Lisa and both pilots it gave my life a real boost and My family and I cannot thank you enough. (Review entered by GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of reviewer)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Received services
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Keep up the great work and thank you all for your commitment to saving people like me with hope. The pilots and Caterpillar Corporation showed me people do care and they are passing life's good fortune forward!
Veterans Airlift Command made my first experience a wonderful experience. My friends and family threw me a magnificent benefit in January and I believed I wouldn’t be able to attend but my pass to go was cleared from the hospital at the last minute. Within days I was set up with a personal jet, with the crew, and mechanic to go with it. The pilot called me on my cell phone and left every detail up to me. I chose which airports I wanted to leave from and arrive to. That was great, as I chose a small town airstrip and didn’t have to drive forty five minutes from Chicago to get home after arrival. The crew was hands down the best I ever had. They treated me as if I was a “Rock Star” the entire trip, with the pilot greeting me at my vehicle and returning me to the same place to say goodbye on the return trip. Times and number of passengers were totally up to my discretion, as at one time they were willing to send out two planes and crews to accommodate my wishes. I must have called the pilot four different times making changes to absolutely no problems at all. The flight attendant also called me the day before asking me what we would like to eat during our flight. She also decorated the plane with red white and blue streamers for American support, I absolutely loved that.
I was able to personally thank the owner of the corporation and also arrived with small tokens of appreciation for the crew and owner before the flight, as that was a justly thing to do. Lastly, I was told from the pilot (told from his boss,) that: “they would be offended if I flew commercial airlines and didn’t use them again.” I’m sold on that as I am soon to contact Veterans Airlift Command again very soon.
SFC John Masson
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the most proffesional treatment.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
do nothing to change anything.
We have had the pleasure and HONOR to meet Sgt Evans and Rosemarie. they told us about swimming with dolphins in Florida and how they were so happy to be WARM (they miss Puerto Rico even more after THIS Winter in the NorthEast!)
I had no idea YOUR wonderful charity was their "RIDE" to this memorable trip! CONGRATULATIONS and continued success!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
this is the first time I heard of your organization and the beautiful work you do!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I have no changes to offer at this time.
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