ON DECEMBER 17, 2019 THE FIRST FLIGHT SOCIETY HONORS A 99-YEAR-OLD WWII VETERAN, THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BERLIN AIRLIFT AND THE 116TH ANNIVERSARY OF POWERED FLIGHT.
JOIN US AT WRIGHT BROTHERS NATIONAL MONUMENT IN KILL DEVIL HILLS, NC.
The First Flight Society annually honors those individuals and groups that have achieved significant “firsts” in aviation and includes them in our Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine exhibit at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. This year’s honorees are 99-year-old Colonel Gail Halvorsen, USAF (Ret) “the Candy Bomber” and the Berlin Airlift (June 27, 1948 to May 12, 1949) commemorating the 70th Anniversary of that historic event.
On the morning of December 17, 2019 we will honor the Berlin Airlift 70th Anniversary with ceremonies on the Wright Brothers National Memorial grounds at Kitty Hawk, NC. The 116th Anniversary Celebration of the […]
Organizations from the aviation community and area businesses sponsor and underwrite many First Flight Society activities and programs throughout the year, especially the December 17th anniversary celebration at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Members, sponsors and volunteers work to joyfully commemorate the legacy of Orville and Wilbur Wright. This year we will honor Col. Gail Halvorsen, USAF (Ret), the “Candy Bomber”, as representative of the crews that participated in the Berlin Airlift on this 70th Anniversary of the completion of that great humanitarian effort. We cannot help others experience this important story without you. Your support keeps the inspiration, adventure and exploring spirit alive for the next generation of aviation pioneers. Thank you!
LEGACY SPONSOR – $10,000
Framed Certificate of First Flight Society Sponsorship
Sponsor listing in official Commemorative Program
Framed 8×10 photo of “The First Flight”
Subscription to THE FLYER, with full page ad in each issue […]
Members have always been an essential part of the First Flight Society. By joining FFS you become part of a community of people who care deeply about the legacy of the Wright Brothers, the Wright Brothers National Memorial and the future of aviation. Member by member, dollar by dollar, we are ensuring that future generations may enjoy this legacy and the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
As part of your membership you receive:
* Membership card
* Society pin
* 8 x 10 photo of the First Flight
* Annual subscription to The Flyer
* Discounts on FFS store items
The anniversary weekend launches the evening of July 18th with a special space-themed movie showing at Dowdy Park in Nags Head, sponsored by the First Flight Foundation. Special space-themed ranger-programs will take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
On July 20th, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the public is invited to watch a special rebroadcast of the news coverage of the original lunar landing outside the visitor center. Some visitors may remember that 50 years ago, on the evening of July 20, 1969, Wright Brothers National Memorial hosted a live […]
The 116th Anniversary of Powered Flight Event on December 17, 2019 will induct Col. Gail Halvorsen, USAF (Ret), the “Candy Bomber”, as a representative of the crews that flew the mission, and the Berlin Airlift (June 27, 1948 to May 12, 1949) on this 70th Anniversary of the completion of the great humanitarian event into the Dr. Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine. The event will include having the Berlin Airlift Foundation C-54 and a C-47 on display to represent the “workhorses” of the airlift, and a flyover, all dependent on maintenance and weather. The event at the Wright Brothers National Memorial is free and open to the public. More details here as we solidify the program.
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 […]
#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 […]
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
