Fulfilling a birthday wish

A survivor of leukemia now in remission, Caleb Calderon was granted a wish on May 25 from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, whose mission is to “grant life-changing wishes for children with going through so much.”

Calderon is a self-proclaimed aviation nut, and knew he wanted aviation to be part of his special day. While his condition wouldn’t allow him to go flying in a general aviation airplane, the airport community banded together to give this future aviator an experience to remember. EAA Chapter 1067 celebrated with Calderon at the Naples Municipal Airport and gave him an up-close tour of an aircraft on the ramp.

AOPA also enthusiastically joined the celebration, with Calderon receiving a birthday card from AOPA President Mark Baker along with some AOPA swag. A longtime member and former employee of AOPA, Harvey Cohen, volunteered to present the card and gifts to Caleb.

“It was a moving gathering, and I was happy to be involved to help present AOPA’s gifts,” said Cohen.