BIRD AVIATION MUSEUM – WASP CELEBRATION – July 15-18, 2010

SCHEDULE (Tentative)

• Thursday, July 15, 2010 – Early Arrival if desired
• Friday, July 16, 2010 – VIP DINNER
  • 5:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres
  • 6:00 p.m. Hawaiian Luau with a special program in your honor.
• Saturday, July 17, 2010 – FLY-IN
  • FLY IN starting at 9:00 a.m hosted by NW Chapter 99s, Experimental Aircraft Association, Volunteers of the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center, Friends of Sandpoint Airport and the Spokane Antique Airplane Community.
  • 10:00 a.m. Special “unveiling” ceremony in honor of WASPS and all women who have served our country.
  • 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. WASP to meet and greet the community. Tell stories, share your lives, educate guests both young and old. Lunch hosted by Shriners and the Community Assistance League.
  • 6:00 p.m. Dinner in honor of you and other WASPS to include family and friends. This will be a wonderful opportunity to reminisce and have fun!!!!!
• Sunday, July 18, 2010 – Suggested Departure

Background

Sagle museum to honor WWII-era women pilots. The Bird Museum located in the mountains of North Idaho overlooking beautiful Lake Pend Orielle will host the event Women of Courage 2010 to  honor WASPS (Women Airforce Service Pilots) and all women who have or are serving in the U.S. military.

More than 1,000 women were trained as aviation cadets, which enabled the male pilots to serve where they were needed most – in combat.  The women were civilians who received approximately 27 weeks of training and flew of 60 million miles combined.  38 women lost their lives and it was not until 1977 that they received verteran status. After the WASPs were disbanded in December 1944, the women’s military records were sealed and not opened until the 1980s the records were declassified, On Saturday these women will be honored in a special tribute hosted by the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center in Sagle, just south of Sandpoint.

For additional information you can see the museum website at www.birdaviationmuseum.com

The 99’s, Shriners, EAA, Friends of Sandpoint Airport, Spokane Antique Aviation Community, the Community Assistance League will all be involved and it will be fun. This event will give the WASP time to be together and simply have fun (Friday and Saturday nights) plus a meet and greet to the community. At least 20 of the still living 300 female piolets will be in attendance.  Please come out an honor our women pilots.

 If you have any questions, call 208-255-4321 X 223. Pamela Riddle Bird