The American Helicopter Museum & Education Center will host it's Annual Fall Fundraising Gala on Saturday, November 5th, 2011 at the Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Cocktails and Silent Auction commence at 6:00PM followed by a delicious gourmet dinner at 7:30. Joining us are keynote speakers, Kalee Thompson, author of the book, “Deadliest Sea: The Untold Story Behind the Greatest Rescue in Coast Guard History” and LCDR Brian J. McLaughlin, the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter pilot who commanded the mission. “Deadliest Sea” recounts the harrowing ordeal of the men who survived the F/V Alaska Ranger disaster on the Bering Sea and pays tribute to the courage, tenacity, and skill of dedicated rescuers who risk their own lives so that others may live. This special program will also include announcement of the prestigious AHM&EC Achievement Award recipient for 2011. Individual Tickets, Corporate Table Seating and Sponsorships are available. Please contact Amy Krize at 610-436-9600 or program@helicoptermuseum.org with any questions or to donate to our silent auction. More on the Keynote Speakers: It was 2:00 a.m. on Easter morning, March 23, 2008, when the fishing trawler Alaska Ranger began taking on water in Alaska’s Bering Sea. By 4:30 a.m. all 47 people on board had abandoned ship. More than half failed to make it into a life raft. Bobbing in the darkness, many of the fishermen watched as the 184-foot steel-hulled boat plunged down into the sea, and disappeared beneath the icy waves. Deadliest Sea recounts the harrowing ordeal of the men who survived the Alaska Ranger disaster and pays tribute to the courage, tenacity, and skill of dedicated rescuers who risk their own lives so that others may live. Kalee Thompson is a freelance writer focused on science, environmental, and outdoor stories. She has worked as a senior editor at National Geographic Adventure and Popular Science magazines. LCDR Brian McLaughlin was the Aircraft Commander aboard Coast Guard MH-60J helicopter CGNR 6007 responding to the sinking of the F/V ALASKA RANGER for which he was awarded the Air Medal from the President of the United States. Individual Tickets, Corporate Table Seating and Sponsorships are available. Please contact Amy Krize at 610-436-9600 or program@helicoptermuseum.o​rg with any questions or to donate to our silent auction.