Cessna L-19 auction package raises $1.1 million for veteran’s causes

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, is proud to announce $1.1 million was raised from the auction of a restored 1959 Cessna L-19 Bird Dog aircraft and Dodge M37 truck at this past weekend’s Barrett-Jackson car auction. All proceeds from this auction package benefit the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF).

Roxanne Bernstein, Cessna senior vice president of marketing and communications, said: “It is an honor to lend Cessna’s support to an effort that does such positive work with our veterans. Less than a half percent of the general population serves in the Armed Forces. At Cessna, ten percent of our workforce has served as a proud member of the Armed Forces family, making this cause an intensely personal one for us. We are proud of our veterans, and proud to do what we can to help support organizations like the AFF who do so much to promote veteran’s causes.”

The $1.1 million raised from the auction goes directly to AFF. The Foundation works with returning veterans and their families dealing with the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).The 1959 Cessna L-19 Bird Dog aircraft was auctioned alongside a restored Dodge M37 three-quarter ton pickup truck. The truck was restored and donated by Okoboji Classic Cars of Spencer, Iowa. Kansas Aircraft Corporation of New Century, Kan., assisted in locating and acquiring the aircraft.

The winner of the auction is a Cessna customer who wishes to remain anonymous. Cessna is the exclusive aviation sponsor of the 43rd annual Barrett-Jackson car auction in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Image one: Cessna Aircraft Company and Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) ambassadors following iconic auction that raised $1.1 million for veteran’s causes.L-R: Cessna president and CEO, Scott Ernest; Cessna senior vice president of marketing and communications, Roxanne Bernstein; NASCAR driver and AFF supporter, Kurt Busch; AFF president, Patricia Driscoll; AFF ambassador Samuel Deeds; sons Micah and Myles Deeds (center); wife April Deeds; Okoboji Classic Cars auto technician, Harry Baxter.