Enstrom Helicopter Corporation demonstrates commitment to being a good neighbor
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has called Menominee and the surrounding area home for the past six decades. We’re forever grateful for the community’s unwavering support for Enstrom through times of success and times of struggle. Now that the company is once more under stable ownership with a bright future ahead, Enstrom can fully embrace its call to serve as the best neighbor it can be.
“We are a group, a team, a family even, who has been part of this community for more than 60 years,” said Enstrom President Todd Tetzlaff. “Yet, many in the area are still unaware of who we are or what we do. We want to change that. We’re making clear our intention to invest in our community for many years to come.”
Involved in the Community
Enstrom served as the singular sponsor for the Marinette Police K9 5K Run/Walk on May 20, which benefited two K9 units in Marinette. We at Enstrom encouraged our employees to join the fundraising event and show their support. Tetzlaff said he had extra motivation to participate; his son-in-law is an officer with the K9 unit. Organizers of the 5K tell us, thanks to Enstrom’s support 250 people participated, their largest turnout yet!
Enstrom also had the privilege to act as the official helicopter escort for the replica Vietnam Memorial Wall known as “The Wall That Heals” as it made its journey from Green Bay to Crivitz late last month. It’s a traveling memorial allowing visitors the chance to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. We recognize not everyone has the capacity to travel to Washington, D.C. to pay tribute to loved ones at the permanent memorial site, which is why a portable monument can prove so meaningful for veterans and their families.
As motorcycles and classic cars flanked the traveling memorial from the ground, Enstrom pilot Cody Parkovich, a veteran himself, kept careful watch from the sky. Many Enstrom employees, in fact, have previously served our country through the armed forces.
Once the wall safely reached its destination in Crivitz, many of the veterans who attended the welcoming ceremony approached our team members, letting them know how cool it was to have a helicopter guide the wall’s escort caravan.
Much More to Come
We at Enstrom have many more community engagement activities planned for this summer. Next month, Enstrom will participate in the Marinette Logging & Heritage Festival. We are sponsoring a performance from nearby Pulaski High School’s marching band for the parade. In addition, we will join the parade with our own float, showcasing one of Enstrom’s latest helicopter models.
Enstrom recently pledged donations to support Menominee’s 4th of July celebration, youth sports, non-profit organizations caring for children and families in need, and the local community foundation’s Future Fund program. We’re also committed to participating in Marinette’s National Night out on August 1st.
“The communities our employees call home flourish with a focus on family and being a good neighbor,” said Tetzlaff. “Our hope as a company is to continue to encourage and foster that unique charm, which can only further improve the lives of both our employees and the community as a whole.”
About Enstrom Helicopter
From Rudy Enstrom’s early designs in 1943 to initial testing in a Michigan Quarry in 1957 to aircraft operating on six continents, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has maintained a reputation for safety, value and performance. Based in Menominee, Michigan and proudly made in the United States, Enstrom has a rich history for design innovation. The goal is to provide helicopters to the customer’s exact specification and deliver support and maintenance worldwide.