Dorothy Mirkes doesn’t ask for much; just that you drink a few glasses of water when you visit the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture convention each summer.

She finds it frustrating visitors would rather drink soda.

“People don’t stop to drink water, but they always stop for that ungodly pop,” Mirkes said. “Before we know it, we’ve got our infirmary full.”

That simple, yet determined approach has served her well since AirVenture moved to Oshkosh 31 years ago. Her vision for assisting visitors in need has grown from a small Red Cross tent to the multi-room medical unit on the grounds today.

“Now we have three exam rooms, an infirmary and a big waiting room and a med room,” Mirkes said.

Mirkes, who has served as chairwoman of the Emergency Medical Services area since 1994, was given the Kimberly Spirit of Leadership award last week during the EAA’s Halls of Fame dinner for her years of dedicated service. The leadership award is named for Henry Kimberly, an Oshkosh businessman and civic leader who, according to the EAA, engineered the effort to bring the fly-in and EAA headquarters to the city.

“I was flabbergasted when I got this award,” said Mirkes, 77. She added that she “nearly fell off the davenport” when she learned of the honor.”

Karen Kryzaniak, the corporate risk manager with EAA, has been Mirkes’ staff liaison during AirVenture for about four years. “That’s when I got to know her and truly got to see her commitment,” Kryzaniak said.

Mirkes’ determination impressed Kryzaniak to the point that she nominated Mirkes for the award. “When you look at what the Henry Kimberly award is all about, it almost looks like it was written about Dorothy Mirkes,” Kryzaniak said.

The statue that will soon be placed on Mirkes’ living room mantle reads, “For distinguished volunteer, leadership and service to the EAA.”

Along with the statue, Mirkes received $1,000, which she designated to the EAA’s Air Academy. Mirkes’ husband of 56 years, Leonard, will also get to share in admiring the award. Leonard Mirkes has also been a longtime volunteer.

The couple has two sone and eight grandchildren, and they recently welcomed a great-grandchild to the family. While major catastrophes like crashes during AirVenture are handled by Winnebago County emergency units, Mirkes said everything from cuts and scrapes to heart attacks are sent to the Emergency Medical Services Area. “Things that you would see in an emergency room you’d see at the clinic,” Mirkes said.

Mirkes said she has no plans to change the medical unit at AirVenture, and the longtime volunteer and registered nurse said she also has no plans to leave the high-stress job herself. “I love nursing and I love people,” Mirkes said.