[Images of America] Mercy Flights
Ruth Ballweg, Michael E. Burrill Sr., Michael E. Burrill Jr., and Pirkko Terao
January 23, 2019 inscription from Diane L. Coash thanking Ben Truwe and SOHS for organization and preservation of the history of southern Oregon.
Contents: Meeting a Need, Community Action and Leadership, Settling In, Challenges and Historic Rescues, Establishing Southern Oregon as a Regional Medical Center, Response to tragedy, Expanding Services, Moving intothe Future
Mercy Flights, incorporated in 1949, created by founder George Milligan with need for response to critically ill or injured residents including speedy transportation to medical care (situation described in Martin Cole's book Their Eyes on the Skies). Milligan spoke with Medford mayor Diamond Flynn about need who also connected Milligan with Medford Mail Tribune editor Eric Allen. much campaigning and then endorsement of Mercy Flights by Gov. Tom McCall and Sen. Mark Hatfield; Mercy Flights became the nation's first not-for profit air ambulance company.
photos and correspondences illustrated and explained throughout book