| by |
Ron Kensey |
| President, Kennon Aircraft Covers
|
I hadn't heard from my friend Mil Harmon for a while. When I got his letter the other
day I understood why. For the first time in 27 years he is without "Ten Romeo,"
a beautiful 1969 Beech Bonanza 36 (full registration N7710R) considered by some to be the
most renowned single-engine aircraft in the world. This plane opened Soviet skies to
western light aircraft, and has set 154 speed records on Dr. Harmon's missions to carry
medicine and goodwill throughout the world.
On April 7, "Ten Romeo" was confiscated by the United States Customs after
returning to the United States from Cuba. Dr. Harmon had been trying to get to Cuba to
deliver medicine. He had spent two years attempting to meet all requirements of the
Treasury and Commerce Department for his humanitarian mission. The Treasury issued the
necessary permits. But when the Commerce Department denied his fourth request for a
Temporary Sojourn License, Dr. Harmon modified his flight plan to depart Washington,
overfly Havana for a DCA-HAV speed record, and land at Grand Cayman where he had arranged
alternate transport of the medicine to Cuba.
"Ten Romeo" developed an oil leak and as fate would have it he was forced
to land in Havana. His plane was covered with oil, and before he landed his engine
started running rough. But some bureaucrats in the United States government say he
planned it that way, that there was no emergency at all. Newspaper accounts said that
the Treasury Department was considering fining him $55,000 for landing in Havana. Still
Dr. Harmon believed this was an error because the Treasury Department had issued the
necessary permits for him to take medicine to Cuba. His problem was with the Commerce
Department, but it was irrelevant because he didn't have any safe choice other than to
land in Havana.
The day before his return to the U.S., he requested in writing to be allowed to clear
Customs in Albany, N.Y. (his home airport) because he assumed that his plane would be
confiscated and held until they collected the $55,000 fine and he knew he could deal
better with the situation there. At a press conference at the Albany Airport, a Customs
official indicated that the Treasury did not believe "Ten Romeo" had an airborne
emergency, and they confiscated his plane.
Then the FAA got involved by asking for his log books and investigating the repairs in
Cuba, Grand Cayman and Freeport. The FAA admonished Dr. Harmon in certified letter for
removing the spinner and tightening the alternator bolts himself. The FAA's letter goes on
to say that they were not taking any other legal action.
"Ten Romeo" has been held hostage by the United States Government since
April. His airplane has been confiscated and he won't get it back until he proves himself
innocent! On October 14, Dr. Harmon will appear in Federal District Court. He
faces up to $55,000 in fines. He may loose "Ten Romeo".
The irony is that Dr. Millard Harmon helped negotiate the release of Mathias Rust, the
young German pilot who flew his plane into Red Square. Dr. Harmon was in Moscow after
having completed a flight from Washington to Sheremetyevo to commemorate the remarkable
1937 flight of three Russians from Moscow to the United States. Harmon told Chairman
Gorbachev that he had worked with teenagers most of his life as a teacher and college
administrator, and knew them well. He played a major part in convincing the Soviets to
spank Rust as a wayward child and send him home.
Dr. Harmon's landing was no prank or act of defiance, it was an emergency. Anyone who
knows Millard Harmon knows that he is innocent. But in 1997 in the United States of
America, your property may be confiscated by the Federal Government until you prove
yourself innocent.
If it can happen to Dr. Harmon, it can happen to you. We're not talking about
confiscating a plane from a drug runner here! Dr. Harmon is a retired school teacher who
has devoted his entire life to serving his fellow man. His love of children has opened
friendships with like minded people in countries where we haven't had many friends before.
He's been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize. "Ten Romeo" has blazed the
skies to bring medical supplies to children and children to medical care who otherwise
would have gone without.
Harmon honestly believed until now (perhaps naïvely) that this was just a mistake by
the government that would be straightened out. He wouldn't ask for help and even in his
newsletter; he only asks for prayers.
But he needs our help. That's why I would like to invite all of Dr. Harmon's
friends and sponsors to join me in contributing to his legal defense. Even if you don't
know Dr. Harmon, help us free "Ten Romeo" and consider it a small contribution
to keep America free. I know that Dr. Harmon would welcome your prayers and support.
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