MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2012) -- With a little more than three months to go until the 2012 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show May 4-6, the air station recognized the winner of its air show theme naming contest Feb. 8, at the contest winner’s place of work.
At Fire Station #1 aboard the air station, Paul F. Ringheiser III, a firefighter and paramedic, was commended for his inspiration behind this year’s theme, “Celebrate the Heritage.”
"It is a privilege and an honor to be chosen as this year's winner," he said. "I never expected to have my submission picked, but I'm glad it was. When I look back years from now, I will be able to say I named the 2012 air show."
The air show committee and the station’s joint public affairs office picked the top five finalists and presented their ideas to the air station’s commanding officer, Col. Philip J. Zimmerman, who then made the final decision, said 2nd Lt. Hector Alejandro, air show media officer.
"We publicized the contest using various mediums throughout the community," he added.
Zimmerman said it was Ringheiser's focus around the word heritage that shaped the theme.
"It encapsulates everything we wanted to celebrate at this year's show," he said.
The Marine Corps is built off its heritage, embedded through honor, courage and commitment since the beginning, said Ringheiser.
"That's what I thought about when seeking inspiration for the theme," he said.
It is safe to say aviation runs in the Ringheiser family. He served seven years of active duty with the Air Force, and is now serving in the Air Force Reserves. His father served in the Marine Corps as an air traffic controller, and his grandfather was a Marine, once stationed at MCAS Cherry Point and served as a nose gunner with a B-25 bomber squadron during World War II.
This year's air show will focus on multi-cultural heritage, 100 years of Marine Corps aviation and MCAS Cherry Point's 70-year anniversary, said Zimmerman.
"It encourages us to remember the past, and the accomplishments of those that came before us who made Marine Corps aviation the powerful force that it is today," said Zimmerman.