News & Events

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5 12, 2018

FFS Honoring Katherine Johnson on the 115th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers First Flight.

The 115th Anniversary of the accomplishment of manned powered flight by the Brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, will be celebrated at the Wright Brother National Memorial on Monday, December 17, 2018 with gates opening at 8:00 AM. The event is sponsored by the First Flight Society, the oldest organization honoring the Wright Brothers, in partnership with the National Park Service.

This year’s program honors Katherine Johnson. A key figure in the history of manned space flight, Katherine Johnson participated for 33 years in the NASA space programs based in Hampton, Virginia. Her work as a mathematician in the early years of the NASA manned space program has been celebrated in writing and cinema. In 2017 NASA dedicated the Katherine Johnson Computational Research Facility at Langley in her honor.

Dr. David Bowles, Director of the NASA Langley […]

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27 11, 2018

First Flight Society Celebrates #GivingTuesday.

This #GivingTuesday, First Flight Society will celebrate giving by asking for donations to our Annual Fund https://www.gofundme.com/first-flight-society039s-annual-fund.
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year’s #GivingTuesday will take place Today on November 27th and will kick off the giving season by inspiring people
to collaborate and give back.
Founded in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y – a community and cultural center in New York City − #GivingTuesday inspired millions of people
to give back and support the causes they believe in. Over $300 million was raised online to benefit a tremendously broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness.
“We are incredibly inspired by the way the #GivingTuesday community […]

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26 11, 2018

Join Us December 17th for the 115th Anniversary Celebration!

115th Anniversary of Powered Flight – Our biggest celebration December 16 & 17, 2018. Wright Brothers National Memorial Park admission is free on December 17 and the Anniversary program begins at 9:00 a.m.  THIS IS A MONDAY, so plan early so you don’t miss it!  No longer a hidden figure in the history of NASA and Aviation, Mrs. Katherine Johnson will be inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Society Shrine on December 17th!

 TENTATIVE PROGRAM OUTLINE DEC 17, 2018 – WRIGHT BROTHERS NATIONAL MEMORIAL

8:30 AM               PRELUDE BAND CONCERT  Northeastern High School Band, Dr. Wayne James, Director

8:45 AM               OPENING OFFICIAL CEREMONIES

PRESIDING                                                                             Arthur Lamothe,  President First Flight Society

PRESENTATION OF COLORS                                               Civil Air Patrol Cadets, NC Wings

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE                                                     Arthur J. Lamothe, President FFS

NATIONAL ANTHEM                                                            Echo of Heritage

INVOCATION                                                                         Pastor Marc O’Neal, Camden United                                                                                                                                              Methodist Church

OFFICIAL WELCOME                                                            Mr. Dave Hallac,

 Superintendent, NPS Outer Banks Group

RECOGNITION SPECIAL GUESTS                                        Arthur J. Lamothe, […]

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21 10, 2018

Get Your Tickets Now for the Wright Brothers Musical in November!

Fun for the Whole Family!

 

Buy tickets on Eventbrite by clicking here:

 Tickets

 

The First Flight Society presents The Wright Brothers: Those Daring Young Men & Their Flying Machine. The play will be performed twice in November at Paparazzi OBX: On Sunday, November 11th, 2018 at 7:00 PM and also on Monday, November 12th at 2:00 PM.

This performance is a musical play designed to inspire people to achieve their dreams against impossible odds!

This play was especially created for families and children to educate and encourage them. A true “STEM” show – portraying one of America’s earliest successes in combining Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

– Encourages perseverance – never giving up on your dreams.
– The value of out-of-the-box, inventive thinking.
– Teamwork, brotherhood and loyalty.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the National Park Service at Wright Brothers National Memorial Park, Kill Devil Hills, NC.

 

Buy tickets on Eventbrite by clicking here:

 Tickets

 

Book by […]

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16 10, 2018

Grand Reopening of the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center this Saturday.

Join the First Flight Society this Saturday, October 20th at the Wright Brothers National Memorial Park. We will have a table set up and we encourage all current and future members to stop by and say Hi. Anyone who joins the FFS during the grand reopening event will receive a complimentary copy of The Wright Brothers by David Mccullough.

Here is more information from the National Park Service about the Grand Reopening:

 

On Saturday, October 20, Wright Brothers National Memorial will hold a grand reopening ceremony for its National Historic Landmark visitor center. The park will be open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. Entrance fees will be waived on this very special day.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2001.

Starting at 9:30 am, the grand reopening ceremony will feature speeches by National Park Service Southeast Regional Director Robert Vogel and National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David […]

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16 09, 2018

Help Support the Dare County Motorcycle Toy Run!

Did you know that the First Flight, Harley-Davidson motorcycle and Ford Motor Co. all happened in 1903?  That is the theme for this year’s motorcycle toy run on September 22.

 

FFS is supporting the event on our website and Facebook Page.  Our President, Joe, is planning on participating in the ride!

If you ride:  Registration is at Vertigo Tattoo in Mann’s Harbor with the ride heading to the Icarus Memorial, stopping for a photo op at the Wright Brothers Memorial, and ending at Mulligan’s Restaurant in Nags Head.

If you happen to be in the Nags Head area on the 22nd, toys can be dropped off by 1:00 p.m. at Mulligan’s Restaurant. Volunteers might be needed to help with the collection, parking, etc.; or take the opportunity at the Monument to talk with people about the Society.

 

Here is the link to the toy run website for more information: Dare […]

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4 09, 2018

Tickets are now on sale for The Wright Brothers: Those Daring Young Men & Their Flying Machine!

The First Flight Society presents The Wright Brothers: Those Daring Young Men & Their Flying Machine. The play will be performed twice in November at Paparazzi OBX: On Sunday, November 11th, 2018 at 7:00 PM and also on Monday, November 12th at 2:00 PM.

This performance is a musical play designed to inspire people to achieve their dreams against impossible odds!

This play was especially created for families and children to educate and encourage them. A true “STEM” show – portraying one of America’s earliest successes in combining Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

– Encourages perseverance – never giving up on your dreams.
– The value of out-of-the-box, inventive thinking.
– Teamwork, brotherhood and loyalty.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the National Park Service at Wright Brothers National Memorial Park, Kill Devil Hills, NC.

 

Buy tickets on Eventbrite by clicking here:

 Tickets

 

Book by Sterling Swann – Music & Lyrics by Larry Siegel – Produced by FreshBrewedProductions

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19 08, 2018

Thanks to Everyone Who Came By On National Aviation Day.

We would like to thank everyone who came by our table today. Thanks for celebrating National Aviation Day and Orville Wright‘s birthday with us. The First Flight Society was glad to give out stickers and information about our organization. Perry, Jack and B.J. were excited to talk with all the people who took the time to stop by.

Make sure to join us for a more extended celebration on Saturday, September 29th for the Reopening of the Visitor Center at Wright Brothers National Memorial.

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1 08, 2018

Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center Reopening Planned for September 29

Save the date of Saturday, September 29, 2018 for the reopening of the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitors Center! Here is the information we have from the National Parks Service:

The National Park Service is excited to announce that the Wright Brothers National Memorial visitor center will reopen on Saturday, September 29. Details for a grand reopening event will be announced later this month.

First opened in 1960, the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2001. (NPS Photo)

 

Since the winter of 2016, the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, a National Historic Landmark, has been closed for a project to preserve and restore its architecturally significant features and to rehabilitate its mechanical and electrical systems. The $5.8 million rehabilitation project was awarded to Group III Management, Inc. (Kinston, North Carolina).

[…]

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