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National Aviation Hall of Fame Honors Moffett, Anderson, Kelleher and Tucker

National Aviation Hall of Fame Honors Moffett, Anderson, Kelleher and Tucker
Sean D. Tucker greets family and friends as he takes the stage to be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Sean D. Tucker greets family and friends as he takes the stage to be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

By Mike Ullery

Enshrinement weekend 2008 at the National Aviation Hall of Fame saw legends of yesteryear honored alongside living legends at ceremonies held July 17-19. Hundreds of aviators, friends, family and fans came to Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation, to enshrine four new members in the hallowed halls of the NAHF.

Those honored at the induction ceremony on Saturday evening were William A. Moffett, known as the “father of naval aviation”; Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, World War II triple ace and famed U.S. Air Force test pilot; Herbert D. Kelleher, founder and retired chairman of Southwest Airlines; and Sean D. Tucker, aerobatic champion, air show performer and flight instructor; joined the ranks of legends who came before them at the “Oscar Night of Aviation.”

Air Force Maj. Gen. Joe Engle took the stage to introduce Ohio Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, who welcomed everyone on behalf of the state of Ohio. Following dinner, Engle welcomed the enshrinees and their presenters to the stage. Anderson, Kelleher and Tucker accepted their medals, while Moffett’s grandson, William A. Moffett III, accepted the honor for his grandfather.

L to R:  Kathy Robinson and retired Air Force Col. Garald K. "Robbie" Robinson, NAHF chairman of the board, flank 2008 enshrinee Herb Kelleher.

L to R: Kathy Robinson and retired Air Force Col. Garald K. “Robbie” Robinson, NAHF chairman of the board, flank 2008 enshrinee Herb Kelleher.

The weekend began with the annual hangar party at Moraine Airpark hosted by Alan Hoeweler. The buffet dinner held in Hoeweler’s hangar gave many of the guests the opportunity to ride in historic WACO aircraft. Guests also received a surprise visit by several U.S. Army Apache attack helicopters based out of Ft. Knox, Ky.

On Friday, the National Aviation Hall of Fame and National Museum of the U. S. Air Force held the annual President’s Dinner. This annual event, begun by NAHF enshrinee Jacqueline Cochran during the 1960s, gives enshrinees, sponsors and guests the chance to mingle and renew acquaintances within the aviation community prior to Saturday evening’s formal event. This year, the three living members of the Class of 2008 shared hangar stories with guests following dinner. During the dinner, the X Prize Foundation received the 2008 Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight award for its endeavors in launching the first non-governmentally funded space “race.” The foundation’s offer of a $10 million dollar award for the accomplishment of putting travelers into space sparked interest in new private aviation goals not seen since Charles Lindbergh’s flight in The Spirit of St. Louis in 1927.

For more information about the National Aviation Hall of Fame, visit [http://www.nationalaviation.org].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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