Who says there are only angels in the outfield?  Brandenburg has one in its own backyard - and he is at his very best - flying overhead.

Doe Valley resident Franklin A. Gulledge, Jr. is a riveting man with simply his smile.  Underneath that pleasant and polished demeanor lies not only a charismatic retired U.S. Marine Corps Major, or a man who flew life-saving missions with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 in Vietnam as one of their world renowned Purple Foxes.  He is that squadron's historian and web master also. 

Gulledge, having recently returned from a ceremony in Virginia Beach, Va. on April 19 where he was - for the third consecutive year - awarded the 2007 Angel Flight Pilot of the Year for the state of Kentucky, and - for the second consecutive year - awarded the 2007 Angel Flight Pilot of the Year for the 10 Mid-Atlantic states.  Gulledge is currently planning another mission which will take him from Toledo, Ohio to Chattanooga, Tennessee this week.

As a volunteer for Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic, a non-profit organization that provides free medical air transportation to those who cannot afford commercial transportation, Gulledge boards his Piper Warrior several times a month to bring the sick to medical facilities throughout the area east of the Mississippi River for specialized treatment not available locally.  He flew approximately 60 missions in 2007 alone for which he was not compensated one penny.

"I'm 73 years old now." said Gulledge.  "But, as long as I can pass my annual aviation physical, feel comfortable in flying and keep my mental faculties sharp, I will continue to do this."