At their Opening Ceremonies on October 7, 1995, the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and members of the ballooning community honored two balloonists who died in September.
Alan Fraenckel and John Stuart-Jervis were participants in the Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race, one of the most prestigious races of its kind and based on a single rule, the balloon that travels the furthest wins. The race originated in Wil, Switzerland on September 16th and ended tragically for Alan Fraenckel and John Stuart-Jervis in Belarus when their balloon was shot down by a Belarussian helicopter gunship.
Saturday morning, October 7th, Fiesta activities opened with pilot briefing at 6:30. At 6:45, Sid Cutter asked balloonists and spectators to join him in a special tribute to Alan Fraenckel and John Stuart-Jervis by observing a moment of silence.
Alan Fraenckel's hot air balloon was launched at approximately 6:55 a.m. piloted by Ted O'Hara of Schenectady, New York carrying the Virgin Islands flag.
Copyright © 1995 Balloon Life. All rights reserved._
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