For more information please contact Nicole Wahlberg, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Evergreen Aviation Museum, 503-434-4006 or email Nicole.wahlberg@sprucegoose.org; Olga Haley, 503- 417-3221 or email: ohaley@cmdagency.com.
September 16, 2003
Evergreen Aviation Museum designated as repository of Oregon Aviation Hall of Honor
MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – In honor of this year’s Centennial Anniversary of Powered Flight, the Oregon Department of Aviation and the Evergreen Aviation Museum have established the official Oregon Aviation Hall of Honor to recognize outstanding men and women in Oregon aviation. Honorees have been selected for the important contributions they have made to aviation and airpower in all fields including, but not limited to, military, civilian, engineering, business, education and government.
The public is invited to an inauguration of the Aviation Hall of Honor at 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Ore. The Museum has been designated by the state as the official repository for the Aviation Hall of Honor and plans to hold celebrations annually to honor new inductees into the Hall of Honor.
Former Oregon Gov. Victor Atiyeh is chair of the Hall of Honor Committee. Other committee members include: Chief of the State Aviation Board, Mr. Bill Wilkins; Mr. Fred Rosenbaum, senior partner, Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum Insurance; retired Oregon Air National Guard Assistant Adjunct Gen.; Mr. James Thayer, former chairman, J. Thayer Company, retired U.S. Secretary of the Army, Brig. Gen., Cmdr., Oregon State Defense Force.
“In this year honoring the Centennial Anniversary of powered flight, we hope to get the public to the Evergreen Aviation Museum to see what contributions the men and women of Oregon have made to the field of aviation,” said Gov. Victor Atiyeh, chairman of the Hall of Honor Committee. “Together with the Oregon Department of Aviation, we are honored to support the centennial celebration, the innovations of the past 100 years and future achievements our state will make in aviation.”
The 2003 Oregon Aviation Hall of Honor inductees are:
Col. Rex T. Barber, U.S. Air Force Highly decorated World War II P-38 Lightning Pilot who shot down Japanese Admiral Yamamoto, 1943: posthumous
Maj. Gen. Marion Carl, U.S. Marine Corps World War II U.S. Marine Corps Ace (1st in history), 1942, Navy test pilot, Marine Corps Cmdr.: posthumous
Maj. Gen. Gordon L. Doolittle Retired Chief of Staff, Oregon Air National Guard Founder and Cmdr., and accomplished World War II fighter pilot
Kenneth A. Jernstedt American Volunteer Group “Flying Tiger” flight leader and Ace, business leader and distinguished former Oregon state legislator
David R. Kingsley World War II U.S. Army Air Corps 2nd Lt., 97th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force, Medal of Honor recipient: posthumous
Gen. Merrill A. “Tony” McPeak, Four-star general, Retired Air Force Chief of Staff and
U.S. Air Force former Thunderbird who directed the air campaign over Desert Storm.
Melvin Jack Murdock Co-founder, Tektronix, Inc., private pilot,
aviation leader and promoter: posthumous
John G. “Tex” Rankin World War I U.S. Army Air Corps, barnstormer, prominent flight instructor and pilot, founder, Rankin School of Flight (World War II): posthumous
Jack Real Aviation engineer business leader, advisor to
Howard R. Hughes, former president and chief operating officer, McDonnell Douglas Helicopters
The unknown aviator In recognition of all unknown pilots, military and civilian, who have performed feats of self-sacrifice.
For more information on the event or to attend, please contact Kristin Russell, Director of Special Events, Evergreen Aviation Museum, 503-434-4023 or Olga Haley, CMD Public Relations, 503-417-3221, ohaley@cmdpdx.com.
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EVERGREEN AVIATION MUSEUM
Event Fact Sheet
Description: The Evergreen Aviation Museum is home to one of the most unique and rare aircraft collections in the world, including the legendary Spruce Goose, the largest airplane ever built, and more than 45 other historic aircraft.
Location: McMinnville, Oregon - less than an hour away from Portland, Ore., and in the heart of Oregon’s wine country.
Facility: Built in 2001, this striking 121,000 square-foot building features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, steel and concrete as the predominate architectural elements. Grape vineyards and a beautiful oak grove surround the Museum, providing an outstanding outdoor setting as well.
Offerings: After regular admission hours, special event guests have exclusive access to the Museum’s exhibit gallery. Guided tours of the Museum and the aircraft exhibits also are available.
Type of events: Indoor or outdoor
Meetings
Conventions
Weddings/receptions
Picnics
Fundraisers
Parties and celebrations
Concerts/music events
Space available: The entire Museum is available to be reserved/closed for the day to the general public for a fee (7,000 capacity), or event planners can reserve various sections of the facility, including: the Entry Way (50 capacity); Café Alcove (50 capacity); Auditorium (135 capacity); West Patio (300 people/outdoor space); West Wing (350 capacity); Extended West Wing (550 capacity); East Gallery (125 capacity); Oak Grove (3,000 capacity). Note capacity varies for seating and standing events.
Times available: All after-hours events can be scheduled between 6 p.m. and midnight. The Museum also is available for private events for an entire day. Costs for closing it to the public will apply.
Parking: 300 parking spaces are provided free of charge.
Catering: Upon request, the Museum’s Spruce Goose Café may provide catering service and the facility’s kitchen is open to contracted caterers.
Equipment: The Museum offers event equipment for rent and can arrange for additional rentals as needed.
More information: For quotes, availability and schedules, detailed brochures or more information, contact (503) 434-4023 or visit the Web site at www.sprucegoose.org.