By Rachel Riley
When Tom Empie’s employer, NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports, informed him that the use of their planes were being donated to make multiple relief trips to Haiti, he was in.
A pilot since the early 1980’s, raised in Hailesboro, and flight trained initially in Gouverneur, Mr. Empie had an opportunity to help others in the best capacity he knew; flying. He and about eight others from Hendrick Motorsports flew two flights a day for several days from Fort Pierce, Florida, into Port-Au-Prince Haiti, the epicenter of the deadly earthquake.
They transported much needed help in way of doctors, medical aid, rescue teams and food supplies through a group called Missionary Flights International.
Mr. Empie has been working for Hendrick Motorsports as a pilot since 2002. NASCAR fans may recognize the names of the drivers on the Hendrick Motorsports team: Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, and Dale Earnhart Jr. The team also has a large flight department for various things like taking the drivers to sponsor appearances and publicity events.
After a stint as a flight instructor at the Watertown International Airport, Mr. Empie was hired by the well-known NASCAR team.
Former Gouverneur village police officer Clifford “Skip” Beers administered the first flight training to Mr. Empie, a 1980 graduate of Gouverneur High School. Mr. Beers later went on to be a commercial pilot after leaving the police department.
His lessons in aviation and in the call of duty have echoed through Mr. Empie and earthquake victims who benefited from the relief flights have the both of them to thank.
“I felt really good about it,” said Mr. Empie of the relief flights during a conversation with the Tribune-Press on Tuesday. “It’s hard to explain what a huge disaster it is. Doctors were telling us indescribable stories. We played a small part, but it was necessary. Doctors told us that we saved live.”
Not only was critical medical support flown in, but some Haitian orphans were flown out of the rubble to the safety of their new homes in America. Mr. Empie got to be a part of those efforts as well and he has unfortunately had to end his Haitian flights to prepare for the upcoming NASCAR season.
“It’s hard to understand the scale of such a huge disaster. It’s tough to leave when you know there is so much more to do. ”
Hendrick Motorsports loaned two Saab 2000 twin turbo-prop 45-seat passenger aircrafts and all support personnel, while NASCAR donated $250,000 to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.
When asked if Mr. Empie was an actual fan of NASCAR racing he replied “I wasn’t, but I certainly am now.”