The Museum of Flight celebrates Memorial Day with three days of military airplane rides, fly-ins, a lecture and book signing with a Medal of Honor recipient, concerts and speeches. Memorial Day begins the Blue Star Museum Program with free admission to active military and their families for the summer.
World War II B-17 Bomber Rides May 24-28
A Memorial Day weekend tradition continues as The Museum of Flight will host the Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17 bomber, Aluminum Overcast, for rides and ground tours May 24 – May 28 for rides and ground tours. For costs, reservations and more information, please call the EAA at 1-800-359-6217 or visit www.b17.org.
Cascade War Birds Fly-In
Saturday, May 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join the Museum on Memorial Day weekend for the annual Cascade Warbirds Fly-In on Saturday, May 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can view a wide variety of beautifully restored vintage military aircraft representing several nations’ armed forces from World War II through the Vietnam War. Planes such as a North American T-28 Trojan, DeHavilland DHC-1 Chipmunk, Cessna O-2 Skymaster and a Douglas AD-4 Skyraider will participate in the fly-in. In addition, the pilot/owners of these planes will be on hand to answer questions and share their enthusiasm for these vintage warbirds. Free admission.
Opening Ceremony for Bell UH-1H “Huey” Helicopter Exhibit
Saturday, May 26, 11 a.m.
Following a lengthy restoration, the Museum’s Vietnam veteran Bell UH-1H “Huey” helicopter takes a place of honor in the Great Gallery. This new, permanent exhibit will be officially opened during a brief ceremony near the exhibit. The ceremony is open to the public, and will be attended by members of the helicopter’s restoration team, Museum officials, Vietnam War veterans and members of local military and law enforcement agencies. Free with admission to the Museum.
Concert, Lecture and Book Signing
Sunday, May 27, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Memorial Day Weekend activities continue with a concert directed by the renowned musician and orchestra leader, Fred Radke, followed by a lecture and autograph session with author and Medal of Honor recipient retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady. Awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroics as an air ambulance helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, Brady will talk about the role of the Huey helicopter in Vietnam. His book, “Dead Men Flying,” is about his experiences during the war. Free with admission to the Museum.
1:30 p.m. – University of Washington Studio Jazz Band, directed by Fred Radke.
30-minute concert.
2:00 p.m. – “Role of the Huey in Vietnam”
45-minute lecture by Gen. Patrick Brady, followed by audience Q&A.
Program begins with a pledge of allegiance to the flag.
3:00 p.m. – Gen. Brady will autograph his book, “Dead Men Flying,” in Museum Lobby.
Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony
Monday, May 28, Noon to 2 p.m. The Museum of Flight honors military service with patriotic music and ceremonies on Memorial Day, May 28. Veterans and active U.S. Military personnel receive free admission to the Museum with identification. The Boeing Employees Concert Band will set the stage by performing patriotic music, beginning at noon. At 1 p.m. Museum President and CEO Doug King will preside over a ceremony with City of Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton. The ceremony’s keynote speaker is author and Medal of Honor recipient retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady. Free with admission to the Museum.
Blue Star Museums Program Begins May 28 –
Active Military Receive Free Admission for the Summer
Blue Star Museums is a partnership among Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the Arts, and more than 1,000 museums in all 50 states that will offer free admission to active military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 28, 2011, through Labor Day, September 3, 2011. Veterans admitted free to The Museum of Flight on Memorial Day and Veterans Day only (unless otherwise specified).
For more information about Blue Star Museums, see:http://www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index_ongoing.php
For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit museumofflight.org