I clasped the gold necklace and held it tightly in my hand. As I closed my eyes, I felt myself momentarily being taken back in time. It was as though I was in a movie and the scenes were playing out before me. They revealed not only when the necklace was given to me, but who had given it to me.

“I was wearing this when my airplane crashed” he said. “I never told you the whole story, but I actually died not just once, but twice that day.” He told me of how he was revived in the helicopter while being transported to the hospital, and again, in the emergency room.

He had been spared from death, but why, he was unsure. There was still something important he had to do.

He removed the necklace from around his neck and with one hand gently pulled back my hair. I leaned toward him as he gently placed it around my neck. He whispered “I want you to have this. It has never been off my neck since the day of the accident. The necklace will remind you of how I feel about you and it will protect you. Anytime you want to feel me near, just close your eyes and hold the necklace close to your heart and I will be with you.” My eyes began to tear as I realized the significance of what he was doing. The necklace represented his pain, his perseverance, and most of all, his determination to live. I was honored that he thought so much of me that he would give his necklace to me to wear.

He told about the months of recovery he had endured after the accident and how he had to learn how to walk all over again. Nearly every bone in both legs and feet were either broken or shattered. His broken ribs had punctured and collapsed his left lung and the impact of the crash had smashed his spleen. The multiple surgeries had left him with pins and rods that he would have in his legs for the rest of his life. He had broken his jaw and had countless stitches inside and out. After many surgeries on his legs, his doctors had advised him to allow his right leg be amputated at the hip. His orthopedic surgeon felt that the leg would never be even partially functional and if some how he managed to keep the leg, he would never again do the things he had done in the past. Jim was told he would be crippled for the rest of his life. He told me “I got real mad! No matter how long it would take, I was determined to do everything I had done before. I would not let this get the best of me”. After months of physical therapy and sheer determination, to everyone’s amazement, Jim had a full recovery. He walked out of the hospital on the day of his discharge – something they told him he would never be able to do. His orthopedic surgeon’s most prized picture is of this amazing man standing on skis atop a mountain in Heavenly Valley, Nevada. Not only had he beaten the odds, but he had a picture to prove it. As I held his necklace in my hand, I realized that this was one of the many reasons that I was so deeply attracted to this man.

It was Mother’s Day 2004. My boyfriend at the time, who was responsible for getting me into aviation, had planned a trip for us. We were going to fly in his plane down to Virginia to see the Flying Circus Air Show in Bealeton. I remember the day well as it was a beautiful sunny day - a perfect day to fly. We left early and were to fly into the Warrenton airport since we were not able to land at the Flying Circus Aerodrome. We had been told someone from the Circus would be able to give us a ride to the show. I remember being very excited about seeing the air show. My friend had told me about the Flying Circus and had shared pictures with me that he had taken during his previous visits. The Air Show ran every Sunday, May through October, and we would be catching the second show of the season. I had just recently finished my ground school training. Not only was I excited to see the Show, but I was also excited because I would actually get to “fly” his airplane.

After we arrived at the Warrenton Airport, we called the Flying Circus to let them know we had arrived. It wasn’t long before our ride came to pick us up. The driver was rather friendly and spoke with a southern drawl. We introduced ourselves and he shook my friend’s hand. The driver being a perfect gentleman and very charming, opened the front door for me, sticking my friend in the back seat. His red Pathfinder was adorned with Flying Circus logos and he sported a Flying Circus baseball cap. When he smiled at me, I couldn’t help notice that he had the warmest smile and the cutest dimple. I smiled back at him and off we went down back roads until we arrived at the Flying Circus Aerodrome. As we thanked him for the ride, my gaze was quickly fixed on the beautiful biplanes as the sound of their powerful engines filled the air. In the background I could hear the big band sounds of the 40’s. I thought I had stepped back in time. It was 1940 something all over again.

I had to concentrate on walking as I couldn’t keep my eyes off of the biplanes. We walked over to Fifi’s Café where we purchased a couple burgers. From there, we made our way to the bleachers in great anticipation of seeing the Show. I loved the show. The aerobatics were my all-time favorite until I heard them announce the next act . . . Wing Walking! My eyes were glued on the wing walker as he climbed aboard the big 450 horsepower Stearman. As I watched the wing walking act, I said to my friend, “I want to do that”. “Yeah, right”, he said! “No, I am serious. I want to do that” I replied. The show ended all too soon with four biplanes flying in perfect formation to “America the Beautiful”. After the planes landed, the other planes joined them as they lined up wingtip to wingtip in a straight line facing the crowd. They began to taxi in unison and stopped in front of the fence where they shut down their engines. It was announced that the crowd could now enter the field and get a closer look at the biplanes and also get autographs from the pilots. I felt like I was at Heaven’s Gate ready to cross over into sweet bye-n-bye as I headed straight for the 450 horsepower Stearman painted in a black and silver sunburst. It was the plane that had carried the wing walker that had thrilled me so much.

“Are you by chance looking for another wing walker” I asked the pilot standing by the Stearman. “You?” he asked with a smirk on his face. For a split-second, I wondered if I had what it took to become a wing walker. I thought to myself about how much physical strength it must take to wing walk, not to mention, a whole heck of a lot of nerve. “Yes” I said, “me”. He then pointed to my four-inch high heels “You sure wouldn’t be able to wing walk in those – that’s for sure”. We both laughed as I continued to ask many more questions. It turned out that the Show was in fact looking for a female wing walker. I was ecstatic when he handed me his business card and told me to call him if was serious about becoming a wing walker. I remember that’s all I talked about on the way back to Pennsylvania. It wasn’t long before I made the call. I was told to just show up at the Flying Circus and they would start training me. The greatest adventure of my life was about to begin. Little did I know it would be so in more ways than one!

The day that I arrived at the Flying Circus, I realized that traveling back and forth on Sundays to the show was going to make for some very long days. I had just recently broken up with my pilot boyfriend and was actually glad to be getting away from the situation and into something totally new and different. It was the change I needed. My introduction that day during the Air Show Briefing was a little intimidating to say the least. The men. . . . well, were men and I was woman coming into their domain and invading their world. Despite their comments, I was determined to stick it out. I was there to learn to wing walk and nothing else. . .

He introduced himself to me that day as Jim. There was something very familiar about him. I couldn’t quite place it. I had met several people that day, two of which were named Jim. Several weeks passed and I had found myself living for Sundays – the Circus had definitely gotten in my blood. I was trained under the guidance of seasoned circus wing walkers. I would get there early and train before the Show and again after the show. I would practice the routine over and over until it became second nature. When I wasn’t practicing I would help setup the props for the other acts in the Air Show.

One particular morning, one of the pilots was warming up the Stearman – the same plane that the wing walkers used. He called me over. “Jana Leigh!” he hollered over the roar of the engine. “Come over here!” he said. I ran over to the biplane and climbed up onto the wing. “Hey Girl, did you miss me?” he said with a big smile. It was then that I began to put two and two together. There was something about his smile and that dimple . . . He had caught me totally by surprise – I just smiled. I couldn’t remember his name so I asked him “What is your name again?” “It’s Jim – just three little letters” he replied. I apologized and told him that I would not forget his name again, from then on, I never did.

Jim started asking me out after the show, and after the second time of me turning him down, he devised a plan. He asked me where the closest airport to my house was and offered to come pick me up in his airplane on Sundays. How could I resist. Not only would I not have to drive anymore, but I would be able to fly! I said “Yes!” His plan had worked. Secretly, I was glad that it did. During the following weeks, flying back and forth from Pennsylvania to the Flying Circus, we really got to know each other pretty well. We soon started dating and were the object of much Circus gossip I’m sure.

When it came time for me to do my first actual wing walk, Jim was there. While taxiing down the runway for take off, I held his necklace in my hand and recalled his words to me when he gave me the necklace. I thought back to his determination, and I felt his strength. Courage welled up within me, and soon I was in the air. I remember being in the cockpit and looking down. Jim, along with other pilots and ground crew, were all lined up to watch my wing walking debut. They all appeared to be so stiff and rigid as the plane made its pass down the show line passed the empty bleachers. I could tell they were all holding their breath as they watched me maneuver from the cockpit, out along the wing, and to the outer strut. With my second pass, I decided to put them at ease by blowing them a kiss. It worked! They immediately began to move about and I knew I had succeeded in relieving their fears. Upon landing and I climbed down off of the plane and was met with cheers and laughter. Without warning, a barrel of ice cold water was dumped over me as I was “christened” as the new Flying Circus Wing Walker. Jim was there to congratulate me and gave me a big hug. I was truly happy!

I was anxious to fly my first show, and after what seemed like an eternity, the day came. I remember sitting with Jim in the briefing room during briefing. I had checked the line-up board several times to see who would be wing walking that day. The name was blank – no one knew. As John King, the President, briefed the air show line up, he finally got to the Wing Walking act of the show. John looked at the board – and then turned to face everyone and asked “Anybody want to wing walk today?” I jumped to my feet with excitement and raising my hand, I shouted “Me! I want to Wing Walk!” There was a huge cheer as John announced that he thought it was time for me to do my first show.

The moment had finally arrived. My heart skipped a beat as I heard the announcer introduce me by name to the crowd. I walked onto the field and taking the microphone I made a special dedication. I dedicated my first wing walk to Jim and to all the members of the Flying Circus. I then hoped onto the wing, and into the cockpit .I was confident and ready. My first wing walk went smoothly and was over before I knew it. It felt so good that day to sign autographs…Jana Leigh…wing walker. I felt that I had become part of the Flying Circus Family so to speak and soon in a very special way, I did.

In October 2004 something very special happened. At the conclusion of the show briefing, John asked if there were any announcements and then called on Jim. I had no idea what was about to happen. Standing before Circus pilots, ground crew, and guests, Jim asked for my hand in marriage and I accepted! The room was filled with cheers and congratulations as we sat down to together on the bench. My heart was pounding with excitement – he had really done it – Jim had asked me to marry him.

I often wonder how different my life would be had I not “ran away and joined the Flying Circus”. Fate has a way of playing itself out most times in ways that we would least expect it. I also reflect on my first trip to the Flying Circus. Yes, in case you are wondering, it was Jim who picked me up at the Warrenton Airport that warm wonderful day in May. He later told me that he had had his eye on me that day and thought my boyfriend in his words was ‘The luckiest man in the world to have such a beautiful woman”. He later told me that my boyfriend had offered him money for the ride to the show. Jim had countered with “I’d rather have your girlfriend”. Little did he know, not only would I become his girlfriend, but in June of the following year, his wife.

One of the things that intrigues’ me most about our story is this. Jim believes that the reason he was spared from death was because he was supposed to be here to take care of me. You know what? I am beginning to believe that myself.

He teases me to this day that I couldn’t remember his name. He has told me that on our wedding day that I will know who he is because he will be wearing a name tag on his tuxedo – Jim, just three little letters.

Jana Leigh and Jim would like to invite you to come out to the Flying Circus Aerodrome on Sunday, June 5, 2005 and share in their celebration of marriage which will be the finale of the air show.

Check the Flying Circus Aerodrome website for updates on the wedding plans.

Hope to see you there!