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Remembering Goldie
Initial proceeds for the Blaise 'N A Trail for Education Fund were provided through The Goldie Fund, which was established to honor the memory of James “Goldie” Goldthorpe. Goldie died on October 6, 2005 in a helicopter accident in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana shoreline.
In the military, Goldie was a Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) and was the oldest, active duty aviator in the Army until he retired March 31, 2005. His service spans a thirty year period. As an Army helicopter pilot, he amassed over 7200 hours of flight time, some of which was in a combat tour of duty in the Vietnam. His other assignments have included a tour of duty in Germany as an instructor pilot and pilot in command for the 22nd Aviation Detachment, a tour in Korea as an instructor pilot and operations officer for the 45th Transportation Company, and various stateside assignments. Although previously retired, Goldie demonstrated his devotion to duty and patriotism by volunteering to return to active duty to assist his country during the latest Iraq conflict. He was assigned to the Ft. Polk Joint Readiness Center in Louisiana where he trained many soldiers and their units for their vital missions. Throughout his career, he earned more than 20 medals including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and 15 Air Medals. Goldie’s exceptional performance and total devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Goldie was a Founding Member of the Combat Helicopter Pilots Association and was active with the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association having served as the Reunion Chairperson for the 2000 VHPA Reunion in Washington, DC. He was instrumental in the creation of the National Capital Chapter of VHPA.
May he rest in peace. He will be missed.
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CHPA is proud to announce the Blaise 'N' A Trail for Education Fund. This newly established CHPA program is already providing scholarships for the children of combat helicopter pilots and their crew members who were lost during the current and continuing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Fund and Scholarships is managed by the CHPA Board of Directors. General administrative and program management costs are deducted and accounted for directly from contributed funds.
CHPA Makes First Scholarship Grant ...
 On his way to the HAI HELI-EXPO in Houston CHPA President Jay Brown, had the pleasure of making a stop in Killeen, Texas, where he presented a check for four hundred dollars to Christina G. Salter.
The check was CHPA's first scholarship awarded through the CHPA 'Blaise 'N' A Trail for Education Fund. Christina is a student at the Central Texas College and plans to attend Texas State University in the next year. The CHPA grant will provide Christina with her supplies and books.
Christina is the daughter of CW4 Matt Salter, an Army Aviator killed in action in Iraq on December 26th, 2005.
Click Here for the full story ...
Donations to the Blaise 'N' A Trail for Education Fund are tax deductible because of CHPA's 501(c)(19) organizational status.
To access our online contribution form, click here. You can either pay online with your credit card, or you may mail a check to the office.
Your contribution will make a difference!
 About Our Name
Blaise ’N’ A Trail is a memorial bike ride that was named for CW2 Mike Blaise, an avid rider who gave his life serving in Iraq. The ride has grown into an annual memorial ride that honors a different fallen soldier each year, with a new destination.
CHPA is proud to name this program in Mike’s honor, through the support of our Legacy Members, Cheryl Blaise, Terry Blaise and Kate Clarke (formerly Blaise). To learn how to get involved with our next ride contact blaisenatrail@yahoo.com!
Click Here to view the page on Blaise 'N' A Trail on the CHPA website.
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