Serving Those Who Served
Mission Statement: Restore a Seaplane to fly Vets around Seattle and the greater PNW free of charge for some Good Old R&R
Do it for Vets' "Pilot" Program: Wings for our Warriors
Our Mission
Our Mission
At Do it for Vets, we are dedicated to providing top-notch services and support to our veterans and retired military. Our mission is to build a supportive community that helps to connect veterans with the veteran community. Additionally, our team will organize exciting and relaxing adventures in the PNW by taking short weekend trips in our soon to be restored DCH-2 Mk1 "Beaver" Seaplane "Elaine".
Our Team
Our Mission
Our team is led by Jax Damir, Senior Member, Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary). Our team wants to bring the joy of flight to the lives of Veterans in WA State and Nationwide. His father, Jeff, in addition to his Maternal Grandfather (CMDR Jack W Hakala USN Ret.), and other Vets are senior advisors on this project.
Our Services
Our Services
Our team will ensure successful restoration of a de Havilland DCH-2 Mk1 aircraft. The restoration will be organized by Rob Richey (VP of Sales and Consulting) at Kenmore Air.
Our team will use charitable donations made to our non-profit to restore, store, and maintain the Aircraft. Our team plans to provide weekend trips for groups of 5
Our team will ensure successful restoration of a de Havilland DCH-2 Mk1 aircraft. The restoration will be organized by Rob Richey (VP of Sales and Consulting) at Kenmore Air.
Our team will use charitable donations made to our non-profit to restore, store, and maintain the Aircraft. Our team plans to provide weekend trips for groups of 5-8 Vet guests at least 40 weekends per year. Destination to be selected 1 year prior to departure and to be chosen from a list of destinations by the chosen group for that weekend**. Upon DCH-2 MK1 Restoration completion at Kenmore Air Harbor (Restoration ECD Spring 2025), we intend to organize weekend flights for Veterans to various destinations*. (For Example: San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island, Alaska, etc.). Jax or another member of the team will ride along or fly the aircraft to facilitate these adventures. If desired, our team will help connect you with resources such as job postings, referrals, mental health resources, etc.
Join Us
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission. Our 501(c)(3) status has been granted. Please note that donations are tax-deductible.
We need to raise $250k to begin the restoration project. We need to maintain $50k per month cash flow to sustain the restoration (See details below)
Who We Are at Do it for Vets
Project Architect | Jax Damir | Senior Member, Civil Air Patrol | Project Kuiper
Jax Damir is a former Starlink Satellite Specialist at SpaceX in Redmond, WA and current Satellite Integration Manufacturing Engineer at Amazon's Project Kuiper in Kirkland, WA. He was inspired to start this Non-Profit by his friends and family who have served in the United States Armed Forces and aims to give back to the community. He wa
Jax Damir is a former Starlink Satellite Specialist at SpaceX in Redmond, WA and current Satellite Integration Manufacturing Engineer at Amazon's Project Kuiper in Kirkland, WA. He was inspired to start this Non-Profit by his friends and family who have served in the United States Armed Forces and aims to give back to the community. He was an active member of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program 2014-2016 and recently re-joined as a Senior Member on 21 November 2023. Jax is currently studying for the FAA Ground School Exam and hopes to get his Private Pilot's License and Seaplane Rating prior to completion of project Alpha.
Jax and Justin (see far right) met in 2014 in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program and were both members of Overlake Composite Squadron (PCR-WA-050) in Redmond. While they have chosen different paths after their time in the CAP Cadet Program and at the University of Washington, they remain good friends.
(Note: Donated funds will not go towards Jax's filght instruction.)
Jax is an avid Saxophonist and played in his high school marching band (Roosevelt HS in Seattle) in addition to the University of Washington Husky Marching Band. He was taught at an early age by his Grandfather Jack (to the right).
Senior Advisor | Jack W Hakala | CMDR, USN Retired | Boeing Engineer Retired
Jack W Hakala (Jax's Maternal Grandfather and partial namesake) is a hero and a Mustang (Enlisted to Officer). Born in Chicago and raised in Manitowoc, WI; then later the Iron Range of Northern Minnesota, he first served in the US Air Force and reached the rank of TSgt. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Ae
Jack W Hakala (Jax's Maternal Grandfather and partial namesake) is a hero and a Mustang (Enlisted to Officer). Born in Chicago and raised in Manitowoc, WI; then later the Iron Range of Northern Minnesota, he first served in the US Air Force and reached the rank of TSgt. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, he accepted an engineering position at Boeing and simultaneously comissioned as an Officer in the US Naval Reserve.
He served for many years at Naval Station Sand Point (Present Day Magnuson Park in Seattle) and later NAS Whidbey Island. He was a MO (Maintenence Officer) for the A-1, A-6 and more. At Boeing, CMDR Hakala worked on numerous programs including, but not limited to The Lunar Orbiter Program, Apollo TIE, Mariner 10, Voyager 1 & 2, VC-25, KC-46, AWACS, E-4B, E-6, etc.
At my age of 25, my grandfather worked 100+ hours a week and often worked 36-48 hours continuously to meet NASA deadlines.
He is an American Hero and the inspiration for this project. His story is the story of America. Built on the foundation of the hard work of all Veterans, and all Citizens of the United States of America.
Jack is an avid Saxophonist and Bassist.
Lead Pilot | Justin Kong | 1st Lt, USAF Reserve Pilot Scheduler, 349th Air Mobility Wing
Lead Pilot | Justin Kong | 1st Lt, USAF Reserve Pilot Scheduler, 349th Air Mobility Wing
Justin Kong is a current military pilot with nearly 1,000 flight hrs. He flies the C-5M Super Galaxy, one of the world’s largest aircraft. As a Seattle native, he graduated from the University of Washington and commissioned as a Reserve officer in the USAF in 2020.
His passion for aviation began since he was young; his father worked fo
Justin Kong is a current military pilot with nearly 1,000 flight hrs. He flies the C-5M Super Galaxy, one of the world’s largest aircraft. As a Seattle native, he graduated from the University of Washington and commissioned as a Reserve officer in the USAF in 2020.
His passion for aviation began since he was young; his father worked for Boeing and he had the opportunity to meet a handful of Air Force pilots while growing up. This love of aviation and country made him the person he is today and he continues to benefit the community as the current Lead Pilot of our program.
He holds Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine and Single Engine type ratings.
Join Us
The Restoration Candidate: N95RC
"Romeo Charlie" to be cristened "Elaine" upon completion. (Elaine Hakala is my Grandmother, Jack's Wife) - "E-laine the Sea-Plane"
Contact Us
Primary Contact: jax@doitforvets.org
Reach out with any Questions you may have so I can build an effective FAQ Section.
No flights will be available until at least late-spring 2025.
Do it for Vets is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit