FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Audrey Cohen
Epoch 5 Public Relations
631/427-1713
[email protected]
LONG ISLANDERS WIN UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
TO MEET BETHPAGE AIR SHOW AT JONES BEACH PILOTS,
CLIMB ABOARD VINTAGE WWII AIRCRAFT AT REPUBLIC AIRPORT
GEICO Skytypers Pilots Performing at the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach
Take Facebook Contest Winners on Exclusive Runway Tour
Bethpage, NY - May 23, 2012 – Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State’s largest credit
union, and the GEICO Skytypers, the country’s premier aerobatic skytyping team, today hosted a
private runway “meet & greet” and aircraft tour at Republic Airport for 10 lucky Bethpage
Facebook contest winners and their families.
This year Bethpage Facebook fans were given the opportunity to participate in two contests – My
Very First Flight (where contestants shared a photo that captured the memory and excitement of
their first flight) and Recognizing Our Veterans (where contestants wrote about what Memorial
Day means to them). Five winners were then selected from each.
Winners and their families were greeted by the world-famous GEICO Skytypers pilots who shared
their experiences firsthand about flying for the Skytypers and performing at air shows across the
country, including the upcoming Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach. The pilots then took the Long
Island residents aboard their SNJ-2 WWII-era vintage aircrafts for a special runway tour.
This year’s My Very First Flight contest winners included Harold Schiffman and family from
Nesconset, Tim Searvant and family from Glendale, Daniel Stegner and family from Levittown,
Lizandro Pacheco and family from Bethpage, and Nicole Stork and family from East Moriches.
Recognizing Our Veterans contest winners included Christina Federici and family from
Farmingdale, Lora Dal Bo and family from North Hills, Jeff Bollet and family from Sands Point,
Christine O’Brien and family from Massapequa, and Brian Greene and family from Wheatley
Heights.
Bethpage Air Show Facebook Contest Winners
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“We are delighted to be able to partner with the GEICO Skytypers once again and to extend this
special invitation to our Facebook contest winners,” said Linda Armyn, Senior Vice President,
Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “We also greatly appreciate our Bethpage Air Show Facebook
Fans! We received many terrific, heartfelt photos and stories from participants, eager to share
their love of the Bethpage Air Show and what Memorial Day means to them. We are happy to
provide them with this wonderful opportunity.”
“The GEICO Skytypers have performed in the Bethpage Air Show since its debut year at Jones
Beach in 2004. We look forward to participating in the show again this year and are pleased to
host this special group of fans at today’s planeside reception,” said Larry Arken, Commanding
Officer, Flight Lead, GEICO Skytypers.
The world-renowned GEICO Skytypers, who are based out of Farmingdale’s Republic Airport and
are performing at this year’s Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, are known for their low-level
precision flying formations. The team utilizes six SNJ-2 WWII aircraft to type giant messages in the
sky.
The Air Show will be held Memorial Day weekend 2012 at Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh, NY,
on Saturday, May 26, 2011 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM and Sunday, May 27, 2011 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
The Air Show is free to the public, but the standard $10.00 vehicle use fee will be collected each
day upon entry to the State Park.
The following world-class performers are scheduled to perform at this year’s show:
Military performers include: United States Navy Blue Angels, Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds,
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, The United States
Navy F18 Super Hornet, 106th New York Air National Guard Rescue Demo Wing HC-130/HH-60, and
the WWII B-17 Flying Fortress. Civilian performers include: American Airpower Museum Warbirds,
GEICO Skytypers, Sean D. Tucker – Team Oracle, Lt. Col. John Klatt – National Guard Reserve, Matt
Chapman, David Windmiller, and Ed Hamill, who will fly the Bethpage Bi-Plane.
For more information about the Air Show, contact the New York State Parks Department Regional
Office, Recreation Department at 631/321-3510 or visit www.bethpageairshow.com , visit
Bethpage at www.lovebethpage.com, or become an Air Show Facebook fan at
www.facebook.com/jonesbeachairshow.
Bethpage Air Show Facebook Contest Winners
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Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its
members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to
banks. Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and
now is Long Island's largest credit union and leading community financial institution with over
196,000 members, 26 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and
Suffolk Counties. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers better rates, lower fees and a full
menu of personal and commercial financial services.
Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip,
Commack King Kullen, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead,
Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon,
Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, West Babylon and Westbury
with over 350 surcharge-free ATMs in King Kullen, 7-Eleven, Walgreens and Costco locations
throughout Long Island. For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit
www.lovebethpage.com.
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