I get letters.

Almost every day, my inbox glows with email about Jerrie Mock, her book Three-Eight Charlie, or the screenplay project. But on occasion, a letter comes in that is so eloquent, so “from the heart” that I cannot resist sharing it with the world. Here is one of these letters, published with Mr. Emrich’s permission.

He says it all so well…

Hey Dan,

Just wanted to send along some words of encouragement. The world needs this story to be told. Keep working hard, your cause is worthy, and this brave woman needs to be better recognized for what she has accomplished on behalf of Aviation and Women.

I was born in Columbus, Ohio on 15-Feb-1961. We moved to Newark, Ohio when I was about 3 years old, and have lived there ever since. I’m a senior engineer at Snow Aviation Int’l Inc. based at Rickenbacker Int’l Airport. I drive on Jerrie Mock Ave. every day! In fact, Snow Aviation’s building sits on the corner of Paul Tibbets St. and Jerrie Mock Ave.

Well, yesterday my mother hands me a copy of the Nov 17-22, 2005 edition of “Our Town”; A small community newspaper for Licking County. The main headline is “Newark’s Forgotten Aviatrix; Local pilot, Jerrie Mock succeeded where Amelia Earhart had failed.” The article also has a picture of President Johnson presenting Jerrie with the FAA medal for exceptional service. What really astonishes me is that I went to Roosevelt Jr. High School, and I graduated from Newark High School (1979)…I believe Jerrie did also (well not in 1979 but…). Why am I just learning about her!? It’s a disgrace! I am actually ashamed! I’m ashamed of the school system, I’m ashamed of the local government…there are exactly zero plaques or memorials to Jerrie…that I can find anyway, and I’m ashamed of myself for not knowing about Jerrie Mock. Jerrie should be proud of the fact that she didn’t ‘sell her soul’ (her words) for recognition. The WORLD owes Jerrie, not the other way around!

This story must be told. I pray that Jerrie can see the movie before the Lord calls her home; she deserves that much! I also hope I get a chance to meet Jerrie in this lifetime. If you are ever in Newark, please contact me. I would certainly be glad to show you around town, if you need to do any research. Good luck and God bless.

Keep us all informed.

Tom Emrich
Newark, Ohio