I met Bob Pardo at the Phinal Phantom Pharewell in 1996 at Nellis. I was "Mr. Vice" and kind of the Master of Ceremonies. We talked and joked and traded Phantom stories.

Then I found out he was selling T-shirts with the famous painting on it in order to raise money for his old wingman, Earl Aman.

Earl Aman had Lou Gherig's disease. Pardo and the Red River Pilots were using the proceeds to get Aman a van with an electric lift.

You better believe I bought one. He signed it, too. He really impressed me. Mutual support 28 years after the fact.

Bob was inspired by a similar feat from Robby Risner in Korea with the F-86. Sadly, that episode did not end as well: the Lt he pushed made it to the Sea and ejected, but got tangled in his parachute and drowned.