Martin Mai was a happy second grader in an elementary school in Gainesville, Georgia when, suddenly — like a bolt of lightning — fate dealt a terrible blow. Martin, his baby sibling and his mom were on the road, traveling through Pensacola, Florida, when the world spun out of control. A horrible crash and moments later Martin's mother was dead. The baby, only of few months old, was thrown from the car and, fortunately, suffered only minor injuries. Martin, however, not only lost his mom, but also his left arm.

Several months before the accident, Larry Bishop, Volunteer of the Year for the North Georgia Wing of Mercy Flight™ Southeast, made an Mercy Flight™ Southeast presentation to the Student Assistance Coordinators for the Hall County School System at Martin's school. When the call came for help, as the Mai family didn't have the means or the transportation to get Martin and the baby back home, Martin's teacher knew exactly whom to call.

Pilot Larry Bishop picked up Martin's stepdad, flew him to Pensacola, secured Martin and the baby in his plane and flew everyone safely back home to Georgia.

To this day, Martin's teacher keeps in touch, and last we heard, Martin was doing remarkably well.