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Comemorative Airforce Museum ushers in Veteran's Day festivities for Mesa
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"Sentimental Journey"
Saturday, the Commemorative Airforce Museum located at Falcon Field, in Mesa, AZ ushered in Veteran's day festivities for the city of Mesa. The 2nd annual "Gathering of Legends" event, open to the public, hosted pilots and navigators from WWII through modern day who shared their stories, gave insights to various aircraft, and reminisced about the origins of Falcon Field.
Falcon Field was opened in 1941 funded by Hollywood elite, using private funds to procure planes, and land for use by allied forces as one of several flight schools in Arizona. Falcon Field would be home to the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and would be the 4th U.S. location for the British Flying Training School. The Arizona skies proved excellent training grounds for the British pilots and remained an active training school until the end of WWII, at which time the land was sold to the City of Mesa for a single dollar.
Falcon Field currently is operated by the City of Mesa as a working civilian airfield.
Highlights of the Veteran's Day festivities were the planes on display and flying overhead. Particularly exciting was the flyby performed by 'Sentimental Journey" a B-17G bomber donated to the Arizona Wing of the CAF in 1978. With an extensive military and civilian history, the "Sentimental Journey" plays hostess to some 80,000 people throughout the country annually as she makes the rounds on the summer air-show circuit.
The CAF Arizona Wing hosts several public events throughout the year with Santa coming to visit in December, and a Big Band '40's themed dance coming up in March of 2010.
Other events around Mesa, AZ happening in honor of Veteran's day include the Mesa Veteran's Parade commencing at 11:00am on November 11th at Center St. at 3rd Place, and traveling south to the intersection of Center St. and 1st Ave. The Parade will feature area High School Marching Bands, military organizations, marching units, performers, floats, and local dignitaries. Over 100 units will be featured for what is billed as the "Valley's Liveliest Veteran's Day Parade".
Also on November 11th, at 1:00p, the "Veteran Invasion" will commence at the Theater District at Mesa Riverview. Featured there will be a Kids GI Joe obstacle course, the Arnold Society Precision Drill Competition, and the Arizona Veteran's Memorial Art Competition. Vendors and local non-profits will also be displaying in the area. The Headlining "Veteran's Invasion" band "Trailer Choir" will be performing at Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar and Grill" at 8:30 pm, where Veteran's can enjoy
If you're looking for something more solemn, a Veteran's Day Commemoration ceremony will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetary at 4:00pm, November 11th. The commemoration will include an honor guard and musical accompaniment. The new "Wall of Peace" memorial will be dedicated during this ceremony.
You're certain to gain an appetite during all these festivities, Applebee's is offering military veteran's and active duty military a free* meal on November 11th during normal business hours. *
*from a selected menu. Proof of military service is required.
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