Air and Space Museum Invites Aviation Vets to Opening

(EXCERPT) By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2003 * The National Air and Space Museum will
highlight the contributions of military aviation during opening
ceremonies of the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Dec. 9.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers
will give the keynote speech at the event.

The Salute to Military Aviation Veterans is part of the extravaganza
opening the annex of the Smithsonian Institution's most popular
museum. It is open to all military aviation veterans and their guests.

There is room for only 4,000 people at the ceremony. There is a limit
of four tickets per aviation veteran and the tickets are $15 apiece.
Museum officials said the veterans will get a first look at the new
facility and receive a copy of "America's Hangar" * a souvenir book
detailing the aviation treasures at the annex.

The annex will open to the general public Dec. 15. The opening is part
of the Centennial of Flight celebrations. The 100th Anniversary of the
Wright Brothers first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., is Dec. 17.

Located at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, the center will
house more than 200 famous aircraft. These include the B-29
Superfortress "Enola Gay" that dropped the first atomic bomb, a Marine
F-4U Corsair, the SR-71 Blackbird, the B-17 Fortress, a UH-1H Huey
helicopter and many other historically significant and meticulously
restored aircraft.

Aviation veterans can get ticket information online or call toll-free
(866) 814-4441. More than 1,200 tickets have been sold.

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2...003102811.html

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Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com