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National Aviation HOF Prepares to Fete Apollo Astronauts on 40th Anniversary of Lunar Landing
Twelve Apollo crewmen, NASA leadership featured at 2009 Milton Caniff “Spirit of Flight” ceremony
6/17/2009
CONTACT:
Ron Kaplan, NAHF Executive Director
rkaplan@nationalaviation.org
Office: (937) 256-0944 x16
Cell: (937) 212-8847
DAYTON, Ohio (June 17, 2009) - The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) annually presents the Milton Caniff “Spirit of Flight” Award to a group or organization in recognition for its exceptional contributions to the advancement of flight. The Apollo Crews will receive the 2009 award in part for their exemplary courage and dedication in successfully carrying out America’s ambitious goal of landing men on the lunar surface and returning them safely to Earth.
The Milton Caniff “Spirit of Flight” Award is among the featured presentations at the NAHF President’s Reception & Dinner, held in NAHF Learning Center and the adjacent National Museum of the United States Air Force on Friday, July 17, 2009. The event coincides with the very weekend of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. A capacity crowd is expected for this public National Aviation Hall of Fame celebration, including hundreds of industry leaders, government officials and aerospace enthusiasts from worldwide.
Twelve of the surviving Apollo astronauts will be onstage to receive the award from the NAHF Chairman of the Board and the NAHF President. The NAHF has invited the NASA Administrator-to-be to accept and speak on behalf of the Apollo Crews. The Apollo astronauts will then participate onstage in a panel discussion of their moon mission experiences, moderated by former ABC News “Good Morning America” host, David Hartman.
Apollo Crew members expected to attend are:
-Buzz Aldrin
-Walter Cunningham
-Jim Lovell
-Frank Borman
-Charlie Duke
-Jim McDivitt
-Vance Brand
-Joe Engle
-Harrison Schmitt
-Gene Cernan
-Fred Haise
-Tom Stafford
Many will additionally attend the 48th Annual Enshrinement Dinner & Ceremony held the following night, July 18, at the Dayton Convention Center. Among the four individuals being enshrined into the Hall of Fame is the late Ed White, II, the first American to walk space during Gemini IV in 1965, and who died in the Apollo 1 fire in 1967 along with astronauts Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee. Presenting White for enshrinement will be 1979 Enshrinee and the first man to walk on the lunar surface, astronaut Neil Armstrong. White’s son and daughter will accept on behalf of the family.
White’s 2009 enshrinement classmates include astronaut Eileen Collins, the first female Shuttle Commander, presented by astronaut Charles Precourt; former Cessna CEO and Chairman, Russell Meyer, Jr., presented by Arnold Palmer, and the late Jimmy Stewart, presented by comedian Rich Little, with Carson Greene, Jr., of the Jimmy Stewart Museum, accepting on behalf of the Stewart Family. Serving as Master-of-Ceremonies for what is widely known as the “Oscar Night of Aviation” will be TV host, former news anchor, and author, Nick Clooney.
“It will be our privilege to honor the Apollo Crews with this recognition on such a significant date,” said Ron Kaplan, Executive Director of the NAHF. “We’ll be vividly reminded that what these true pioneers accomplished four decades ago transcended borders, cultures, and politics, their collective achievements continuing to stand as an inspiration to all man. It’s not surprising that the Hall of Fame and the Birthplace of Aviation thus also look forward to hosting guests from as far as Germany, the U.K. and the Czech Republic for this special occasion.”
Advance reservations are required for either event and may be placed by calling 937-256-0944 ext. 10. Deadline is July 2nd. Seats at the President’s Reception & Dinner on July 17th are $300 or $150 per person. Seats at the 48th Annual Enshrinement Dinner & Ceremony on July 18th are $150 per person. A portion of each seat purchased is deductible as allowed by law. For more information visit the NAHF Web site at
www.NationalAviation.org or call (937) 256-0944, ext. 10.
About the National Aviation Hall of Fame
The NAHF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in Dayton in 1962 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1964. Its mission is to honor America’s outstanding air and space pioneers, which it does through a 17,000 square-foot public Learning Center featuring interactive exhibits, a youth education program, an international aviation film festival, its annual enshrinement ceremonies, and other public outreach programs.
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Editor’s Note: Full bios and photos of the Class of 2009 Enshrinees are available at www.NationalAviation.org.