DESERT AIRE — Hosts Dick and Melinda Skogerson were nervous when they awoke last Saturday morning and saw the rain.

They feared it might hamper the turnout for the annual Desert Aire Fly-in Breakfast.

But as she surveyed the hundreds of people who came to the fund-raiser for airport maintenance, Melinda said: “This is a lot better than I expected. I’m really grateful to all of these people.”

The fly-in itself was a bit off from past years. There were fewer planes than previous years. Looking to the clouds, Dick said: “Only the tough guys made it this time.”

Local pilot Bruce Eskildsen made up for some of the loss. He entertained the audience with his 1950s U.S. Air Force T-34 Trainer, executing several touch-and-goes in front of Harang’s Hangar.

In the Hangar Darrell Seely of Kennewick displayed his collection of Word War II bomber nose art. Seely was just a kid during the war, but it certainly got his attention.

His collection includes photographs of the Esquire Magazine pinup girls of the time and the matching photos of the same girls on U.S. bombers. It also includes and actual piece of the fame Memphis Belle.

Before and after breakfast, the visitors walked out to the parked planes for close-up looks.

The Fly-in Breakfast is the lone fund raiser for the Desert Aire Airport, which was renovated last year to the tune of about $1 million. The Breakfast proceeds are spent on maintenance.

Desert Aire Airport is a vital link to distant communities in times of emergency. Medivac helicopters and planes operate out of there.

Desert Aire Airport is also important to people of business who fly in and out of South County.

According to Melinda, 375 breakfasts were served. The diners donated $2,365 to the cause. Another $440 was raised through raffles.

“We had 22 colored planes from our children’s corner,” Melinda said. “Next year I’m going to give all the color contest kids a surprise for just entering.”

“Considering the weather, things turned out well,” she added.