‘Legacy flight’ to honor memory of Sherman Smoot
Sherman Smoot
Family to make flight an annual tradition
– Central Coast Honor Flight will celebrate Sherman Smoot’s legacy with the upcoming inaugural “Sherman’s Legacy Flight” on June 6. In honor of Smoot, who passed away shortly after the organization’s last flight in Betsy, his family has decided to make the flight an annual tradition. Every year, on the anniversary of D-Day, they will sponsor a commemorative flight to celebrate Smoot’s legacy and the bravery of all veterans. The veterans were selected for the flight by the Honor Flight team. They will enjoy a 40-minute tour over Morro Rock and up to Hearst Castle before returning to the Estrella Warbirds Museum.
On Thursday at 11 a.m., the restored WWII C-47B, known as “Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber,” will take off from the Warbirds Museum with a group of veterans aboard for a scenic tour around the county.
Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber, with its original WWII interior, returned to Europe in 2019 for the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. This historic flight was captured in the documentary “Into Flight Once More,” narrated by Gary Sinise. The film was screened as part of the 2022 SLO International Film Festival.
For those inland, the organization invites you to “Welcome Home” the veterans at the Warbirds Museum, 4251 Dry Creek Road, starting around 11:25. Attendees are encouraged to don patriotic attire and bring flags.
Smoot was the Estrella Warbirds Museum’s board director. He joined the U.S. Navy, earned his wings in 1972, and served two tours during the Vietnam War, flying aircraft carrier-based F-4J Phantoms. Sherman left active duty in 1977 to fly for Continental Airlines, but continued to fly F-4’s for another 4 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He was also the owner of Bella Luna Winery. He was killed in a vintage plane crash in 2022.
