The Brant United Way celebrated its 9th Anniversary in 2008. The show dedicated itself to our military and especially to Captain Steven Leary. Captain Leary is a Brantford native and is the first person from here to be killed in action in Afghanistan.

  With the show being dedicated to our troops many local veterans were there including Mr. Robert   Habbeshaw – much decorated veteran from WWII and Mr. George Bragg who celebrated his 90th birthday. From CFB Trenton came a hometown flight crew from the 436 Squadron lead by Major Paul Anderson.

  The show was jammed with first timers and many friends from shows before.

  Coming in from the NYANG for the first time was a LC-130 Hercules parked in static and making their premiere appearance in the skies over Brantford, the Boys from Syracuse in two F-16 Vipers. Mademoiselle Carol Pilon showed off her wingwalking skills to an appreciative audience. Coming in from Seymour Johnson AFB via the Hamilton International/CWH was the F-15 Strike Eagle Demo Team. Another newcomer to skies over Brant County was the CC-117 Globemaster III flying in from Trenton. And for a sentimental journey Rick Volker brought the Russell Air Group Spitfire.

  And the returning friends were the Canadian Warplane Heritage with many of their collection of planes, some of which were doing double duty flying in a show in Welland, ON as well. The sounds of romance were heard from the Firefly, Mitchell, and Dakota as they flew by. The Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team was back this year with a new friend for this show, Honourary Colonel Charles (Charley) Fox, DFC. After performing their heart in the sky, it was dedicated for team co-ordinator Greg Tyrell, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Also returning were the World Famous Canadian SkyHawks. Not to be forgotten, the CF-18 Demo Team closed the show with Captain William “Billy” Mitchell at the helm. For the first time anywhere a new demo team was created, the Spitfire/Hornet Canadian Heritage Flight.