Coming Together to Fill in the Gaps

In the high-energy world of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, there’s a lot that goes unnoticed behind the scenes. But helping you find your way around the grounds or find a specific vendor, for example, is easier thanks to the sign shop volunteer group. They build, paint, prep, deliver, and install the visuals that bring the event to life. But this year, one of their own needed help.

Jim Grabe, a longtime volunteer and former naval officer, had unexpected heart surgery just days before AirVenture ramped up. He was hospitalized July 10-18, and his wife, Jan — another sign shop volunteer — was by his side. When Jan was no longer allowed to stay at the hospital, the team rallied. They arranged rides to and from Grafton so she wouldn’t have to navigate back and forth alone from Camp Scholler’s Audrey’s Park. They even began organizing funds for a hotel nearby if it became necessary.

“Jim brought a new perspective to the group,” said Jeff Benedict, EAA’s visual display manager. “[He] really helped me embrace letting volunteers do more than I would task them with in the past. Jim would see my workload and pick out a specific thing that was very time consuming and say, ‘I think our team could help with that.’ That’s how the crew started handling the window graphics, something that used to be a staff job. Jim learned the process, trained a small group, and built a whole crew of volunteers who could handle it on their own. Jan is just as active, as she keeps things organized, assigns projects, tracks hours, and makes instructions so newer folks don’t get overwhelmed.”

So, when Jim and Jan couldn’t be there, the group didn’t hesitate. Volunteers Jay and Susie Edmiston stepped into leadership roles. Ron Oehler, the former chairman, returned to manage the logistics of menu and wayfinding signage. And installations went on late into the night, sometimes past 9 p.m.

And when an unexpected situation also took Jeff out of commission this past Sunday — on one of the busiest install days of the year — the team still pulled off the massive Boeing Plaza graphics installation. It took until 10:30 p.m., but every detail was handled.

“The dedication they have to each other really touched me,” Jeff said. “They are a family when they are here, and perhaps even in the offseason. They stepped up to fill in when Jim and Jan were sidelined for AirVenture, but more importantly they stepped up for Jim and Jan on a personal level.”

This year, the signs went up. The compass rose was painted. And while Jim and Jan couldn’t be in the thick of it, their spirit absolutely was.