LifeNet Air to celebrate its 35th anniversary
LifeNet Air invites former patients and the community to attend the 35th anniversary celebration from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 20 at Northridge Country Club.
LifeNet Air flew its first patient from Naples, Texas, to Texarkana, Texas. At the time, it was the first medical helicopter in this area equipped to provide an intensive care atmosphere and the fastest transfer of critical-care patients to area hospitals.
Since its first flight, LifeNet Air has flown more than 10,000 accident-free missions.
Don Ruggles and Roy Morgan will speak at the ceremony about how the duo worked together to bring the lifesaving helicopter to Texarkana after Ruggles lost his son because of complications from a hunting accident in rural Arkansas.
Morgan started Air Methods, an air helicopter company in Colorado in 1980, and Ruggles met him a few years later and they started Air Life, which was eventually renamed LifeNet Air.
“Today, the LifeNet Air contract is the second longest contract with AirMethods. Roy retired a few years ago, but he is coming on behalf of Air Methods to present the Monumental Milestone Award to LifeNet during the ceremony,” said Rod Pace, area manager for Air Methods in Western
Missouri and Arkansas.
In addition to the presentation of the award, LifeNet is also hoping to honor past patients and air crew during the event.
“We are currently asking former patients to RSVP via our website, so we will be able to recognize them during the celebration. It is not only rewarding for our medical crews to have the opportunity to meet som e of the patients whose lives they helped save, it also gives former patients the opportunity to share their stories with other survivors,” said Tina Bell, director of public relations for LifeNet.
“The event kicks off with our
helicopter flying in at 4 o’clock. Following the fly-in, the community will be able to tour the helicopter and meet our staff. Additionally, we will have a small, makeshift museum setup with memorabilia from the last 35 years that people can look at and hors d’oeuvres to snack on,” Bell said.
The first 200 attendees to the event will also receive a specially commissioned 35th anniversary LifeNet
Air lapel pin.
“The lapel pin was designed by our head pilot Allen Bills, who will also be recognized during the ceremony for celebrating 25 years as a pilot for LifeNet Air,” Bell said.
For more information or to RSVP attendance as a former patient or air crew member, visit LifeNetEMS. org/LNA35 or call 903-5560301.