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.

FOR RELEASE

June 9, 2006

SR-71 Secrets Revealed at Evergreen Aviation Museum During Father’s Day Weekend

A special celebration provides an opportunity for the entire family to learn about the supersonic spy plane, the SR-71, through featured activities and presentations.

McMinnville, Ore. – The Evergreen Aviation Museum will host a series of special activities for families during the annual Father’s Day weekend celebration. Aviation legends and featured speakers include SR-71 pilots, reconnaissance systems officers and maintenance officers.

Father’s Day festivities will begin on Sat., Jun. 17 and will continue through Sun., Jun. 18. Weekend activities include speaker panels, book signings, special cockpit viewings and museum tours, as well as an opportunity for children and parents to enjoy the new interactive exhibits. B-17 Flying Fortress walk-thrus are available 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. all weekend for $3 a person or $10 per family. Father’s will receive $1 off regular admission on Sun., as well as 10% off all memberships purchased.

The featured dinner event will begin at 6 p.m. on Sat., Jun. 17. The keynote speaker is Rich Graham, SR-71 pilot and author of SR-71 Secrets Revealed and SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales and Legends. Cost for the event is $30 for the general public, $25 for members, and $15 for children (ages 12 and under). Cost includes dinner as well as the opportunity to hear a private presentation by Graham. Guests will all be entered into a special raffle with a chance to win a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum, including the opportunity to get a photograph in the Spruce Goose pilot’s seat. RSVP is required; please call 503-434-4185.

The Evergreen Aviation Museum is best known as the home of the world’s largest wooden airplane, the Spruce Goose, SR-71 Blackbird, the Titan II SLV missile and Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat. In addition, there are more than 60 historic aircraft and exhibits on display, along with artwork, traveling displays, the newly remodeled Spruce Goose Café and the museum store. The Evergreen Aviation Museum’s hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily except when it is closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter. The Museum is located at 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, across the highway from the McMinnville Airport and about three miles southeast of McMinnville, Ore., on Highway 18. Regular visitor admission is required. Call (503) 434-4180 for more information, and visit www.sprucegoose.org.

# # # #

Father’s Day Weekend Celebration

Saturday, June 17

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Children’s Interactivity Center open

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Famous Spruce Goose cargo deck open

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. SR-71 cockpit viewing station open

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. B-17 Flying Fortress Walk-thrus

($3/person or $10/family)

10:30 a.m. SR-71 Panel #1: Al Payne, Dave Burns, Don Walbrecht and Bill Burke (Rich Graham, Moderator)

12:00 p.m. B-17 Flying Fortress Lt. Col. Russell Barney’s presentation

1:30 p.m. SR-71 Panel #2: Bob Roetcisender, Mike Hull, Jim Shelton, B.C. Thomas (Blair Bozek, Moderator)

6:00p.m.-9:00 p.m. Father’s Day Dinner Event featuring Rich Graham, SR-71 pilot and author of SR-71 Revealed and SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales and Legends.

Sunday, June 18

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Children’s Interactivity Center open

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Famous Spruce Goose cargo deck open

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. SR-71 cockpit viewing station open

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. B-17 Flying Fortress Walk-thrus

($3/person or $10/family)

10:30 a.m. SR-71 Panel #3: Randy Shelhorse, Kirk Knutson, Bill Burke (Jim Shelton, Moderator)

1:30 p.m. SR-71 Panel #4: Phil Loignon, BC Thomas, Dave Peters, Dave Burns (Buz Carpenter, Moderator)