At the age of 62 he was the oldest American pilot flying combat missions in Iraq!  It's really quite a story.

 

You see this is actually the second time around for old Jack.

 

"Mako" (his squadron nickname) flew   F-4 Phantom fighters during the Vietnam War many moons ago while in the Marine Corps as just a young lad.

 

After leaving the Marines he became an airline pilot with Aloha Airlines. Around the same time he also joined the Hawaii Army National Guard as a "weekend warrior" flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

 

When he hit 60 he had to leave Aloha Airlines because age 60 is the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots in the U.S.

 

Somehow Jack managed to get a waiver and was still allowed to fly helicopters with his Army National Guard squadron.

 

So when his unit was "called up" to go to war in Iraq, old Jack "Mako" Sharkey went too, lending his combat experience to the younger folks who were seeing war for the very first time.

 

His old buddies from the Marine Corps asked us to hand-carve a special plaque for a true patriot.

 

This one-of-a-kind plaque you see above highlights "Sharkey's" role as a warrior in both the F-4 Phantom and the CH-47 Chinook helicopter, chronicling his exploits in not one but two wars!

 

If you dropped one of our plaques on your foot, it's a guaranteed trip to the Emergency Room!

 

Interested in a special customized wood carving to give as a present or keep for yourself?

 

We can make a special plaque you need for any special occasion when "average" just isn't good enough.