Bomber 134 Fundraiser

In Australia during the Black Summer Bushfires, on the 23 of January 2020 a C-130 Hercules Large Air Tanker, call sign Bomber 134, crashed during firefighting operations at Peak View New South Wales--approximately 100km south of Australia's Capitol of Canberra. The brave American aircrew, Captain IAN MCBETH, First Officer PAUL HUDSON and Flight Engineer RICK DEMORGAN JR tragically lost their lives. The selfless crew, all military combat veterans, had come from the other side of the world to help Australia and had flown many successful missions during the months of the Black Summer Bushfires. The wives, children, families and friends of Captain Ian McBeth, First Officer Paul Hudson and Flight Engineer Rick DeMorgan Jr have suffered an immense and permanent loss. This crash also had significant impact on the small rural community of Peak View NSW and across the Snowy Monaro region. In the years following Black Summer, memorials have been built at the crash site (on private property) and at the Peak View Fireshed (allows public access). There is also a public memorial "bar" at the Historic Bredbo Inn that features parts of the actual aircraft, and pictures and memorabilia left to honour the crew. Each year on the anniversary, the Rural Fire Service, The Peak View Fire Brigade and the Historic Bredbo Inn hold a memorial service to honor these men and to remember their sacrifice. Many people and oganisations have contributed to this effort. Due to Covid-19 restrictions etc the wives and children have not be able to attend an annual memorial service and see first-hand how much Australia not only appreciates but also mourns with the families of these heroes. This fundraiser is to help pay for the families of the American aircrew to fly to Australia, attend an annual memorial service (of their choice), visit the accident site, see their family member's names engraved on the wall at the National Emergency Services Memorial and continue their healing journey. In addition to attending the memorial services, we also want to offer them a small holiday while they are in Australia. If the fundraiser exceeds requirements, any excess money will be given to the families as a gift, to do as they see fit in honor of their loved one. The families, in addition to losing their husband and father, have lost the family's main bread winner. If a family is unable to travel to Australia for the memorial, they will still receive a donation. The fundraiser is being managed by Lieutenant Colonel US Air Force (retired) Drew Cunnar (friend of Captain Ian McBeth) and James Fitzgerald - Trustee - Two Thumbs Wildlife Trust. Drew was the U.S. Air Force Attache at the American Embassy in Australia when the accident occurred, and James owns Two Thumbs Wildlife Trust, the property and koala sanctuary that the crew of Bomber 134 was trying to save that day. We have set a fundraising target of $90,000 (AUD). The division of donated money between the air crews families will be determined by Drew Cunnar and James Fitzgerald.