| Deadline extended to July 7th for reservations to historic National Aviation Hall of Fame ceremonies, moon mission celebration
Apollo crew and Shuttle astronauts among aviation pioneers featured at NAHF President's Dinner and "Oscar Night of Aviation" in Dayton, July 17-18 (July 2, 2009 – Dayton, OH) The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) announced today an extension of its deadline for making reservations to attend its historic enshrinement events in Dayton on July 17 and 18th. The NAHF will take reservations through Tuesday, July 7th, for both its 2009 President's Reception & Dinner, held on July 17 at the NAHF Learning Center and the adjacent National Museum of the United States Air Force, and the 48th Annual Enshrinement Dinner & Ceremony taking place at the Dayton Convention Center on Saturday, July 18th. Both events start at 6 PM. With both events occurring during the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Congressionally chartered non-profit NAHF will spotlight the Apollo Crews' contribution to space exploration in addition to honoring in a new group of inductees, including two pioneering astronauts. The events are open to the public however advance reservations are a must. The original deadline was Friday, July 2, but was extended due to the Holiday weekend. A limited number of seats for the President's Reception & Dinner on Friday, July 17th remain available at either $300 per person for Premium seating, or $150 per person for Patron seating. Featured will be the presentation of the 2009 Milton Caniff "Spirit of Flight" Award to the Apollo Crews. Thirteen former Apollo crewmen including Neil Armstrong, Frank Borman, Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell and Gene Cernan, will be on hand to accept and take part in a panel discussion moderated by former ABC News anchor David Hartman. NASA Administrator-select Major General Charles Bolden, USMC (Ret), has been invited to accept on behalf of the astronauts. Seats to the 48th Annual Enshrinement Dinner & Ceremony on Saturday, July 18th are available for $150 per person. Author and newsman Nick Clooney will serve as the master-of-ceremonies for the induction of the NAHF Enshrinee Class of 2009. The four new inductees will bring the number of those so honored by the NAHF to 203. They are Shuttle astronaut Eileen Collins, presented by astronaut Charles Precourt; former Cessna Aircraft Company Chairman and CEO Russell Meyer, Jr., presented by pilot and pro golfing legend Arnold Palmer; the late Brigadier General James M. Stewart, USAFR (Ret), presented by friend and comedian Rich Little; and Gemini spacewalker and Apollo 1 astronaut, the late Ed White, II, presented by fellow astronaut and NAHF enshrinee, Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the lunar surface. "It's our privilege to host such an illustrious group of pioneers and heroes, especially on this milestone anniversary of flight," said NAHF Executive Director, Ron Kaplan, of the organization's events taking place the same weekend as the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. "'The Birthplace of Aviation' is eager to welcome fans and patrons hailing from literally around the globe for this unforgettable public salute both of our honorees and the historic first moon landing." Kaplan pointed out that reservations have come from the Czech Republic, U.K., Switzerland, Brazil, Canada, and Germany, and that among dozens of dignitaries attending will be the Great Grand-Niece of the Wright Brothers, several former Shuttle astronauts, and air show performers and former enshrinees Sean Tucker and Patty Wagstaff, both of whom are appearing in the Dayton Air Show that takes place the same weekend. The NAHF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in Dayton in 1962 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1964. Its mission is to honor America's outstanding air and space pioneers, which it does through a 17,000 square-foot public Learning Center featuring interactive exhibits, a youth education program, an international aviation film festival, its annual enshrinement ceremonies, and other public outreach programs. # # # |
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