Harlan Kirgan
A noontime Friday flyover of the Eunice and Opelousas hospitals saluted health care workers.
Ryan Elliot, lead pilot of a T-6 Texan, said the flyover was to show support for first responders who have been dealing with coronavirus outbreak.
“We are just trying to show some support,” he said of “St. Landry Salutes.”
Kevin Frank, Acadian Medical Center CEO, said, “It is very nice for them to do it,” after the planes made two passes over the hospital at about 12:30 p.m.
“Thinking about the employees, we do feel like they are heroes, all of the medical professionals and the support staff that are here.”
Frank added, “I want people to remember that there are people out here like nursing homes that are caring for the most at-risk people.”
David Allen, St. Landry Parish airport manger, said, seven planes were flown in the flyovers.
Elliot said, “We’re honored to be a part of St. Landry Salutes and we just want to show our hometown health care workers that the Louisiana aviation community is behind them.”
Allen said, “This is an opportunity for local pilots and aviation workers to honor our family and friends who have lost a loved one to coronavirus, We also want to honor our doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, hospital workers, janitors, health care workers and all essential workers that have kept supply chains and other essential services running.”
The pilots began the flyovers north of Opelousas to Opelousas General Hospital, to the hospital’s south campus and then to Acadian Medical Center in Eunice.