Organizers Agree To Wait Until Late September

Given the increasing concerns and directives related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), last week, the Arsenal of Democracy (AOD) Executive Planning Committee, coordinated with a large number of organizations, government entries, warbird operators and World War II veterans to reschedule the AOD Victory Gala and Flyover commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Working closely with the Friends of the National World War II Memorial, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the Air Line Pilots Association and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the week of September 20th became the mutually agreed-upon timeframe to reschedule all AOD activities. This particular week will fortuitously culminate with the annual National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinement to be held in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, September 26th.

The AOD Victory Gala will take place at Signature Flight Support’s historic Hangar 7 at Ronald Reagan National Airport on Thursday, September 24th with all previously announced World War II veterans speakers reconfirmed. The warbird aerial tribute flight over the National Mall will now take place on Friday, September 25th in conjunction with an accompanying ceremony at the National World War II Memorial. The week’s events will culminate with an Aerospace workforce and STEM-related event, coordinated by the Air Line Pilots Association, and a static display of many of the aircraft that participated in the flyover at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, on Saturday, September 26th.

Despite delaying the commemorative activities, the AOD committee and the partner organizations remain steadfast in producing a historic tribute to the men and women who served in the U.S. and Allied armed forces, those who contributed on the homefront, and those who suffered the horrors of the Holocaust during WWII.

Members of the Arsenal of Democracy Executive Planning Committee include Pete Bunce, President and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); Hank Coates, President and CEO of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF); John Cudahy, President of the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS); Mike Ginter, Arsenal of Democracy Air Boss; and Paul Rinaldi, President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). Aerospace workforce and STEM activities are led by Captain Joe DePete, President of the Air Line Pilots Association. Events at the National World War II Memorial are led by Holly Rotondi, Executive Director of the Friends of the National World War II Memorial. National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinement events are led by Amy Spowart, President and CEO of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

(Source: GAMA news release)

FMI: www.ww2flyover.org