By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Most mornings when the wind is calm and the skies are clear, a group of men bring their RC planes to Limestone Park in Alabaster and fly.

Nicknamed the “Dawn Patrol,” the men are members of the Alabaster Remote Control Association (ARCA).

Following the fly, they eat breakfast, visit together and solve the world’s problems.

“ARCA was formed in 2004 after the flying club lost its lease with CSX at the Helena dump,” said long-time member and ARCA Vice President Ray Antonio. “We started looking for a new place to fly. Alabaster offered us this land with the stipulation that we give back to the city. For years we have taught at schools about aviation and helped with city functions. It has been a great arrangement and we are proud of our work with the kids.”

Thompson Elementary retired Principal Leslie Harrison is long-time ARCA member.

He graduated from Montevallo High School and married his high school sweetheart Tommie Ruth Mowery.

He joined the U.S. Army as a MP handling K-9 dogs for five years.

After the Army, he became an optician, a trade he learned in the Army. In his 30s, he decided to change careers, went to college and earned his elementary education degree.

After graduation, he was hired as a third grade teacher at Thompson Elementary School, rose to assistant principal and principal.

Harrison became the liaison with ARCA and Alabaster schools.

For years, the club has worked with the gifted students at Thompson Intermediate School teaching aeronautics and providing AMA instructional gliders for each child to fly.

“The kids love these men and learn so much from them,” said TIS gifted teacher Rita Sparks. “They have so much knowledge about engineering, aeronautics and aviation. We applied and received a grant from the non-profit Alabama Association of Gifted Children for two remote control planes that the men helped put together.

“We are proud to say the Mr. Harrison won the Alabama state award, ‘Outstanding Community Service Member,’ from the association for his work as liaison with the Alabaster schools and ARCA. Mr. Harrison and ARCA are amazing, knowledgeable men.”

“This award is a team effort,” said Harrison. “Each man participated in this award. I am so proud of ARCA’s work with the schools.”