By Joe Ragusa
NORMAL – The pilot responsible for saving the lives of 155 people during an emergency water landing in the Hudson River is this year’s guest for the American Red Cross Evening of Stars.
“It was at a time in the world’s history during the 08-09 financial meltdown in which it seemed like everything was going wrong, no one could do anything right,” Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger said. “And then this group of people on that day and that place rose to the occasion to meet this sudden, ultimate challenge to see that good was done and lives were changed and saved.
“I think it gave people hope at a time when we all needed it.”
The 2016 American Red Cross Evening of Stars is April 21 at the Uptown Marriott. Tickets are $150 each and are available here: http://www.redcross.org/news/event/il/bloomington/American-Red-Cross-Evening-of-Stars.
Joe Ragusa can be reached at joe.ragusa@cumulus.com.
