Personal Pilgrimage

Contributed photo/Deborah Rafford
    Through the efforts of Peter Noddin, an aviation archaeologist and a native of Millinocket, a childhood hobby led him to help a family locate the exact site where their father, Air Force Capt. George C. Thomas, crashed his F-86 Sabre jet during a training exercise in 1952 based out of Presque Isle Air Force Base. It’s been 56 years, and daughter Kathy, and son Rick are taking family members on a quest for answers and peace. Ready to make the trek are, from left, front row: Kathy Sullivan, Jeff Walters, Aunt Carolyn Richards and Uncle Tom Richards. Middle row: Rick Thomas, wife Jan Thomas and daughter Chrissi Rinesmith, Rick Thomas Jr. and son Braedon Thomas. Back row: Peter Noddin, daughter Allison Noddin and son Michael Noddin, and Mike Cornett, aviation archaeolgy curator. See next week’s paper for story and more photos.