The Museum of Flight honors United States military service personnel on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11.
All U.S. veterans and current military personnel receive free admission to the museum, 9404 E. Marginal Way S. in Seattle. Events get begin with the fly-in arrival of a U.S. Army Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter, live music at 11 a.m., a Veteran’s Day ceremony with Washington Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Bruce C. Linton at noon, and a 2 p.m. discussion program about the Grumman A-6 Intruder aircraft and its operations during the Vietnam and Desert Storm conflicts.
A-6 aircrew combat veterans will speak, including bestselling author of “Flight of the Intruder,” Stephen Coonts. Following the program there will be a dedication ceremony of the A-6 Intruder Memorial Tribute in the museum’s Aviation Pavilion.
Veteran’s Day Schedule
Friday, Nov. 11
10:30 a.m., Estimated arrival of U.S. Army Boeing CH-47D Chinook. Helicopter will stay in museum’s East Parking lot, with Chinook crew giving free tours to museum visitors.
11 a.m., Patriotic musical performance with the Boeing Employees Stage Band
Noon, Veteran’s Day Ceremony with color guard. Speakers include Tukwila Mayor Allen Ekberg and keynote speaker Washington Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Bruce C. Linton.
2 p.m., Panel discussion about Grumman A-6 combat operations during the Vietnam and Desert Storm conflicts. The panel includes former A-6 aircrew combat veterans retired Marine Brig. Gen. Bruce Byrum, retired U.S. Navy Captains Greg Wood and Butch Bailey, and retired Navy A-6 aviator, author Steve Coonts.
4:30 p.m., Dedication Ceremony for A-6 Intruder Memorial Tribute. Bestselling author and former A-6 Intruder Naval aviator Stephen Coonts leads a ceremony dedicating a sculptural column in the Aviation Pavilion that commemorates the legacy of aircrew and maintenance personnel in the Intruder community. The 7-foot pillar was donated by the national Intruder Association and is next to the Museum’s A-6. Its laser-etched granite panels depict the highlights of the history of the A-6 aircraft, its capabilities and the insignia of the Navy and Marine Corps units that operated this all-weather attack aircraft.
Saturday, Nov. 12
2 p.m., “Beauty and Duty”: Women’s Military Uniforms. Museum of Flight Living History performer Alice Miller will present authentic women’s military uniforms from World War I to Vietnam. Miller will speak about the history behind each uniform, and about the women who proudly wore them. The uniforms will be modeled with Living History performers.
