Aviation History: VC-137B 58-6972
The VC-137B serial 58-6972 or same as SAM 972 had the same body as the 707-120 commercial aircraft but with different interior furnishings and electronic equipment. It was built as one of three VC-137As, Boeing model 707-153 with Pratt and Whitney JT-3 turbojets. It was delivered to the Air Force on June 30, 1959 and was redesignated VC-137B when it was refitted with JT3D turbofan jet engines in May 1963. Assigned to the 89th MAW at Andrews AFB, Maryland its primary mission was to provide first class, worldwide transportation for the Vice-President of the United States, Cabinet members and international dignitaries.
The interior of SAM 972 was divided into three sections: Forward (crew area), center (stateroom) and aft (passenger). The forward section had a communications center, a galley, lavatory and 13-seat compartment with one table and two overhead bunks. The center section was designed for VIP, with conference tables, swivel chairs, projection screen, two convertible sofa-bunks and a lavatory. The aft section was a combination staff and passenger areas, and contained a Xerox machine, reclining seats, overhead bunks, tables, galley two lavatories.
The VC-137B was usually operated by an augmented crew of about twenty, including three pilots (two were qualified aircraft commanders), two navigators, two flight engineers, one crew chief, two communication systems operators, six flight attendants and four security guards.
All of the VC-137B’s and C’s were at E-Systems many times for maintenance and modification beginning in 1973 through 1994.
58-6972 was scrapped in 1996 due to severe corrosion.
The included information comes from local Sulphur Springs resident Tony Hughes. Mr. Hughes worked on, performed engine run up, pre-flight/post flight and flew as an aircraft mechanic observer on FCF’s (functional check flight), along with supervising hangar and flight line operations for over 40 years (1956-1996) at E-Systems, Inc., the Greenville, Tx. plant formerly known as TEMCO.
A Huge Thank You to Sulphur Springs and the Community
Cars lined the street as the Lil 4’s one-year celebration had many people there enjoying the free bounce houses, food, music and train rides. KSST caught up with Letitia Conliffe, founder and president of the Lil 4’s, to talk about the event.
“Everything turned out great! It makes me excited to (have been) in this place for one year.” Letitia said. Letitia had been up since 5:00 am yesterday and still had a smile on her face enjoying the festivities. The garage sale made approx. $40, and Letitia was still excited. “Everything is a blessing. It’s a blessing to know people are still out there that still care. We’re going to keep on pushing: maybe make a bigger building.” The current building is at capacity with the 50 kids she looks after. “These are my babies. They brighten my days. If I was at home, I would worry about where they were and what they’re doing.” But when she’s here, the kids are here, and she knows they’re safe and doesn’t have to worry.
The items for the garage sale came from some of the kids, Letitia, and a lot from Ms. Martha Oppenheim. Many of the items were brand new with tags still on them. There were a bunch of new shoes in many different sizes, and clothes, purses and many other items. Letitia smiled when talking about Ms. Martha. “Everyday she comes and helps…Every day. And when she can she brings meals or donations. That lady is so awesome. I love her so much.”
The auction has yet to take place and includes items such as bicycles, a cheese basket donated from the Dairy Museum, a blanket donated by Feedbags, brand name purses, a pair of silver sparkly Toms, and the Dallas Mavericks donated an autographed picture valued at $175. There were many other great items available for the auction. KSST will keep you posted on when it will take place.
Letitia also wanted to thank John Heilman. “If we ever need anything this man comes through. We didn’t have enough money to cover this…and he made it a success. I owe that man a lot.”
Alicia Valentine cooked the delicious gumbo. It took her around four hours to cook it. Drinks and Paper goods were supplied by Leah Lair Conner.
Everyone seemed to be having a great time listening to the fantastic blues band, Da-Unit Band featuring Aleatha Lowe as lead vocal. Da-Unit Band traveled from Shreveport Louisiana to attend and play live music at the celebration. They originally played at the Lil 4’s King and Queen Ball, and were requested to return again for the celebration.
Smiles where everywhere as kids bounced on the bounce houses and enjoyed train rides around the block, provided by the Parties 2 U company located in Dallas. Kids were decked out in festive face paint and had a great time. Kids and Adults were dancing and having a great time. Letitia summed it up best by saying “Everything was wonderful.”
Soccer: Lady Cats Win; Wildcats Lose
Greenville 4, Wildcats Soccer 1
The Wildcats’ soccer team managed to score a goal in the first half against a strong Greenville team Friday night but the talented Lions answered with two of their own. The Lions also added two more goals in the second half to take a 4-1 win over the Wildcats in Greenville. Eduardo Ramirez scored the Wildcats goal after an assist from D.J. Abron. The Wildcats are now 5-6 in district play and they have a season record of 12-12. The Wildcats end district play by hosting Hallsville at Gerald Prim Stadium next Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Senior Night.
Lady Cats Soccer 7, Greenville 1
The figurative fireworks at Gerald Prim Stadium started going off early and often Friday night as the Lady Cats’ soccer team exploded for goal after goal in a 7-1 victory over Greenville on Senior Night. The Lady Cats scored five first half goals and led the Lady Lions, 5-0 at halftime. It didn’t take the Lady Cats long to find the back of the net. Mileena Zirretta scored just 7 minutes and 32 seconds into the game to make it 1-0 at the 32:28 mark of the first half. Just :45 seconds later, Gracie Boyer scored and the Lady Cats were up 2-0 at 31:43 in the first half. Just over 3 minutes later the Lady Cats went up 3-0 on Zirretta’s second goal. Less than four minutes later, Bailey Arrington scored for the Lady Cats and it was 4-0 at the 24:46 mark of the first half. Keeley Hudgins made it 5-0 at the 11:57 mark of the first half. After the Lady Lions scored a goal early in the second half, the Lady Cats added two more goals. Zirretta got a hat trick with her third goal of the game at 27:56 in the second half. Makenna Kagar completed the scoring as she put a penalty kick into the net. During Senior Night, the Lady Cats recognized Erika Lara, Jo McMillan, Taylor Robinson, Makenna Kagar, Mileena Zirretta and Gracie Boyer. Four of the seniors have signed letters of intent to play college soccer. The win improves the Lady Cats district record to 7-4 and their season mark to 15-6-3. The Lady Cats close the district schedule with a match at Hallsville next Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Lady Bobcats are running away with the district race.
Chaney Hits Home Run; Picks Up Pitching Win
The Wildcats’ baseball team won in dramatic fashion over Marshall, 6-5 on the road Friday night.
The Wildcats went into the seventh inning trailing the Mavericks, 5-4. The Mavericks had just taken the lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Ryan Humphries led off the seventh inning with a hard line drive right at the third baseman for out number one. Triston McCormick then got on base. Jaxon Chaney battled with a couple of pitches before hitting a dramatic two run home run to center field. Wildcats Coach Jerrod Hammack said he did not think the ball was going out when it left the bat. Coach Hammack said Chaney’s blast was hit very high in the air and landed just over the fence. Chaney, who had pitched in the sixth inning, finished up in the bottom of the seventh and got the pitching win.
The victory at Marshall was the Wildcats first since 2010 after five straight losses. The Wildcats improve to 2-0 in district play and they are now 8-7 for the season. The Wildcats have now won five straight games. The Wildcats play Texas High at new Wildcat Park Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
YouTube Live – SSISD LadyCat Soccer v.s. Greenvile – Senior Night
Live video stream should start around game time: 7:00pm.
Game Day: Wildcats Travel to Marshall
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack says Marshall seems to be a difficult place to play for his Wildcats. The Wildcats travel to Marshall for a game Friday night (March 16) at 7 p.m.
Coach Hammack says he thought the Wildcats were going to break through last year at Marshall. The Wildcats led for most of the game, 4-0. The Mavericks kept chipping away at the lead and eventually won, 5-4. It was the Wildcats first district loss last year after several wins. Coach Hammack says it’s a challenge attempting to win at Marshall. He says his current team is very capable of winning there. Coach Hammack says they just have to play like they are capable of playing. He is confident with Triston McCormick pitching and he says his team is playing with confidence.
The Wildcats have won four games in a row including their district opener against Pine Tree at new Wildcat Park, 12-2 on Tuesday. Coach Hammack is especially pleased with the Wildcats’ offense and he says they are very capable of scoring double digit runs in a game. The Wildcats have scored in double digits in all four of their recent wins. He says he’s ready to quit talking about his team struggling at Marshall and is ready to talk about the team being successful in Marshall. The Wildcats last won in Marshall in 2010. They have lost the last five times they have played there including last year’s loss.
Game Day: Soccer
Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats’ soccer teams are coming down the stretch in district play with only two matches left to play. Every match could impact the teams seeding in the playoffs or even might determine whether or not they make the playoffs. Both teams lost matches to Mount Pleasant on Tuesday night (March 13). On this Friday game day (March 16), the Wildcats and Lady Cats are matched up against Greenville.
The Lady Cats’ soccer team is playing the Lady Lions at Gerald Prim Stadium and it’s Senior Night. The Lady Cats enter the contest with a district mark of 6-4 and a season record of 14-6-3. The last time the two teams played, the Lady Cats won 4-1 at Greenville back on February 19. We will bring you all the action of Lady Cats Soccer live versus Greenville on Senior Night on KSST Radio. We will also videotape the game for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
The Wildcats’ soccer team is expected to have their hands full as they travel to Greenville and as they battle for a playoff spot. Greenville is right near the top of the district standings. The Wildcats enter the contest with a district mark of 5-5. They are 12-11 for the season. The first time the two teams played, Greenville came out on top 5-0 at Gerald Prim Stadium back on February 19.
Meet Bridgette Taylor Hammers, Emmy Award-Winning Christian Artist
Since graduating Sulphur Springs High School in 1997, Bridgette has not let any grass grow under her dream of a career in music. While pursuing a music major in college and training as an opera singer, she realized that gospel and Christian music was the genre she most wanted to be involved in. When a Curb Records scout in Nashville expressed interest in signing her as a country music artist, she weighed the decision and the opportunity, then followed her heart and what a journey that has turned out to be! With her husband Keith, Bridgette is enjoying an exciting and meaningful career that is music ministry-based.
Not long after they both graduated college in Tulsa, the couple made a move to Dallas where Bridgette gained experience in auditioning for work and by competing in TV singing contests. In Nashville she was hired as an administrative assistant at Septien Entertainment, a music artist development company. All the while she continued to write songs and appear at churches in the vicinity of wherever she was living. In time, they returned to the Metroplex and opened BH Music Studios in McKinney teaching music lessons, vocal performance and marketing for young artists. That provided an income but her calling still lay in ministering to people through Christian music. That next year, through a leap of faith and after much prayer, they decided to close the studio and go into music full-time. It was a decision that gave them the wings they needed. Now with her third CD release of original songs, and with speaking and singing engagements at churches across the country, Bridgette is addressing topics like human trafficking and the tragic effects of today’s society’s on our children. She established findurvoice, a non profit group of young artists who use their talents to help the voiceless be heard. Her newest release “Voices Rise” was written as a response to the 2017 bombing in Manchester, England. Bridgette often performs the National Anthem at sporting events for teams like the Texas Rangers, Houston Mavericks, Frisco Roughriders and at the Baseball Hall of Fame. At her home church, Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen, Texas, she is artist-in-residence and a part of the music worship team when she is not on the road. Her goal is to find new ways to continue to use her voice and talent to help others discover a better world and a better life through Jesus Christ.
Bridgette Taylor Hammers
