Jonathan S. Ray, who served as one of President Ronald Reagan’s helicopter pilots, a member of the White House Advance Staff, and later as Deputy Program Manager for the President’s fleet of 17 helicopters, is featured speaker at the Fifth Annual Can-Do Day Celebration, which is free and open to the public. 

While about 700 elite U.S. Marines comprise the Marine One contingent, Ray was one of a select group cleared and trained to pilot the President. 

He will share his experiences with a group gathering to pay homage to individual initiative at the Community Recreation Room in Ronald Reagan Sports Park, Saturday starting at 2 p.m. 

As a White House Advance Staff Member, Ray counseled the White House on contingency planning and Presidential helicopter movements. 

He represented the Presidential Helicopter Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] Squadron during the update of the contingency plans for the emergency evacuation following the assassination attempt on the President and developed and implemented the training to support the contingency plans.

Noting that Ray received White House and national recognition for his performance, Perry Peters said he was "as ‘Can-Do’ as you can get and we are fortunate and grateful that he accepted our invitation. We are very proud and eager to hear him." 

Peters is president of Friends of Ronald Reagan Sports Park, which presents the annual celebration. 

"Many on our program who are recognized for their Can-Do spirit will, I am sure, be inspired to hear Jon’s first hand story," Peters added.   

For more information about Friends of Ronald Reagan Sports Park and the Can-Do Club, visit www.RonaldReaganSportsPark.com.